The Tourism Master Plan and Policy to enhance the potentials of the sector and define the roles of stakeholders will be presented to the public by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, July 1, 2021.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, stated that the public presentation of two documents – The Tourism Master Plan and the Tourism Policy – is supported by Sterling Bank Plc. and will hold at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Disclosing that the masterplan and policy went through a rigorous review process, Akinbile-Yussuf said the presentation by Governor Sanwo-Olu would be historic, just as it is expected to change the narrative and improve fortunes of the tourism sector in Lagos.
The Commissioner revealed that the documents for public presentation had inputs from stakeholders in the sector, envisaging that the contents would be embraced by all the affected practitioners.
The Divisional Head, Retail and Consumer Banking, Sterling Bank, Mr. Shina Atilola, who spoke on the partnership with the State Government, described the Tourism Master Plan and Policy as a must-have roadmap for regenerating, conserving and making Lagos a high-end tourist destination with global appeal.
Atilola added that the role of the private sector is to support the government and take advantage of its favourable policies, saying, “without this, enhanced quality of life for the masses, job creation and shared prosperity for all will remain elusive”.
“This explains our support for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s masterplan and policy presentation. It is a roadmap that will unlock inclusive and sustainable development by harnessing the unique and abundant endowments of nature and the cultural heritage of the people of Lagos State”, he said.
The Lagos House of Assembly on Monday ordered Local Government councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to desist from extorting and harassing operators of courier and logistics services in the state.
This was as the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, emphasized that local government councils and LCDAs do not have the power to tax logistics and courier services. He said the power of the councils was limited to registration of bicycles as dictated by the constitution of the country.
Obasa said it was lamentable, especially as such acts affect ease of doing business “and it is very important that we do something about it.
“We have to make them understand that going out to disturb well-planned and organized businesses that stand to create employment for our youth especially with the rate at which students graduate with nothing much to do is not good at all.
“The services of courier operators reduce poverty in the state and how much do they even charge?
“Local governments have nothing to do with the registration of motorcycles and tricycles. Operators of courier and logistics services should not be made to pay in all the local governments considering what they charge for their services.”
The House therefore resolved that local government councils should be aware of their limitations in this regard as well as stop using alleged touts and street urchins to collect revenues in other areas where they are legally empowered.
In the decision of the House which followed a motion earlier moved by Hon. Ganiu Sanni Okanlawon (Kosofe 1), the lawmakers further resolved to call on the Lagos State Government to direct the Commissioner for Transportation and other relevant agencies to ensure that operators of courier services and logistics are not harassed by the local governments.
The House also directed the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that all extortionists in the state are apprehended.
“The House calls on Local Governments and LCDAs to desist from harassing and extorting operators of courier and logistics services and restrain their traffic department from doing so.
“The Ministry of Information and Strategy should educate operators of Courier and Logistics Services and informed them about what is expected of them,” Okanlawon said.
Okanlawon stated that the laws and restriction orders on the ban of motorcycles in some areas in the state exempted the movement of motorcycles of courier and logistics services.
In his contribution, Hon. Bisi Yusuff said that the motion was timely and that the use of local government taskforce to deal with operators of courier services was an embarrassment to the state government.
According to Yusuff, some operators took some local governments to the court on the issue in the past and won.
Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, said that courier and logistics services help people in different areas to interact with their customers.
Agunbiade added that the operation had a way of boosting the economy of the state and empowering the people through employment.
“The motion did not say they should not be regulated. A courier service should not pay from one local government to the other or else it would defeat the purpose of their business.
“The revenue should be centralized among the local governments. The House once passed a law to regulate collection of fees by local governments. The law stated that whoever is collecting levies for the local governments must be identified,” he suggested.
Hon. Lukman Olumoh (Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1) accused some of the local government officials of issuing out fake documents. He suggested that consultants should be employed for such activities.
Hon. Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju Lekki 1) stated that some of the riders of the bikes are graduates who have no other jobs, and that there have been many cries concerning the harassment of courier and logistics operators by local government officials.
On his part, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) lamented that some of the courier services organisations do not live up to expectations.
“Some local governments use consultants and we cannot stop them because of their excesses. We must not throw the local governments out totally as they have a role to play as an arm of government,” he said.
Also speaking, Hon. Lanre Afinni (Lagos Island 2) suggested that the collection of revenue for the local governments could be centralized and shared among them, adding that multiple taxation affects the profit of courier services companies.
In his view, Hon. Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland 2) said that most of the local governments and LCDAs have traffic sections and that they charge exorbitant fines.
He urged that the traffic sections of these councils be looked into because they sometimes go the extreme of arresting and harassing people.
Hon. Jude Idimogu (Oshodi/Isolo 2), who said he had personally experienced the harassment of the touts, supported the motion.
Also supporting the motion, Hon. Setonji David (Badagry 2) said that courier operators play major roles in the state but that the local governments do not see it from this angle.
“Most of the receipts issued by the local governments are fake. We must ensure that the local governments limit themselves to what they ought to do.
“We have to find a way to stop the local governments from bothering the courier services since they are recognized by law. They also help transportation in the state as they help in distributing items,” he said.
As a student in any academic level, doing an excellent project and assignment are what make you stand out among the crowd as well as scoring excellent grades.
However, doing fantastic assignments with your tight business or working schedule can be very stressful and less productive.
“Don’t stress yourself! We’re here to assist you”
“Let’s handle your assignments, research works and projects for you.”
“We guarantee you excellence”
Talk to us today Tel phone: 07036865403 Email: Info@massenglobalconsult.com.ng Facebook: Massen Global Consult Instagram: @massenglobalconsult
“It is with heavy heart that I mourn the passing of our father, Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson, SAN, the Asiwaju of Ikorodu land who died on Thursday, 24th June 2021 at 87.”
‘The demise of baba has left a big vacuum in the rare class of elders that serve as stabilising force in Ikorodu, Lagos East Senatorial District and Lagos State at large.”
“He was a selfless man in his lifetime who lived for others. Late Chief B.O. Benson, KJW, SAN, was instrumental to the transformational development of my alma-mata, Lagos State University (LASU).”
“Late Chief Benson’s sterling achievements in various positions he held brought honour to Ikorodu Land and the people. As a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, chief Benson left an indelible legacy.”
“Chief Benson, SAN, an erudite legal luminary was a contemporary of my late father Senator, The Honourable Justice Mubasheer Akanbi Olatunji Abiru. They belonged to the generation of young lawyers of the Ikorodu extraction pre-independence Nigeria. They were both illustrious members of the progressive’s clan. They jointly pushed for development that impacted greater number of the people.”
“This is a personal loss to me and the entire Ikorodu family.”
“I pray that Almighty God should grant the Bensons and the entire Ikorodu people the fortitude to bear the loss of our patriarch.”
Adieu Papa!
Senator MukhailAdetokunbo Abiru, FCA Friday 25th June, 2021
Lagos State Students under the umbrella of National Union of Lagos State students, NULASS has congratulated the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on his 56th birthday anniversary.
NULASS, in a terse statement jointly signed by its President, Nul. Shasanya Akinola, Nul. Edu Adam Olayiwola, General Secretary, Nul. Hassan Abdulsalam, Public Relations Officer 1 and Nul. Eniafe Abdulyekeen, Public Relations Officer 2, commended Sanwo-Olu for all the strong and tough decisions he had made as a governor of the state.
NULASS, while commending the governor, said despite criticism the governor remained focus and that his decisions have been progressive.
The students’ union also declared support for Sanwo-Olu’s administration, saying that the Lagos State students will always be proud of him.
The statement read partly: “The National leadership of National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) join the good people of Lagos to Celebrate our amiable Governor Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as he clocks 56 of impacting.
“NULASS supports your administration and agrees with all the tough and strong decisions whatever you have taken for the state to grow, you faced so many criticisms but still, you had stick with your decisions because you know that was for us and not for yourself.”
“We are so proud of you to serve your best services and commendable contributions for the state, to the state and by the state. Keep serving your thoughts and inspiring the good people of Lagos.”
“On behalf of all Lagos State indigenous Students, home and Diaspora, we can’t appreciate *Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu less for his unending Love and Support towards the development of Education in the Atlantic City.”
NULASS, while charging the governor to continue his goodwill of doing more for Education in the state, equally prayed that the Governor live long in good health and wealth.
The Chairman of the Governing Council of The Kunle Olayinka Peace Initiative (KOPI), Engr. Adekunle Olayinka yesterday, June 24, 2021 hosted the members of the Kunle Olayinka Peace Initiative (KOPI) families of Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro and encouraged them to go out of their comfort zones and work assiduously to deliver massive votes, the greatest numbers we have never seen for our great party, APC in the upcoming Local Government poll coming on the 24th of July, 2021.
He reiterated the Party’s displeasure and disappointment at previous elections especially as regards to the dwindling turn out of members during elections, we must not allow same to repeat itself, he said.
Engr. Olayinka who is also the Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor of Lagos State on Development Agenda For Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission Matters, said that, as the party recorded a whooping number of members in Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro respectively during the last membership registration/ accreditation exercise, he said, if each party faithful can bring along one or two persons eligible to vote to their respective polling units and see to it that they voted, that will translate into more than 90,000+ votes for both Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro. This will be our negotiating power at the state to drive home suitable, deserved political appointments and more dividends of democracy for the good people of Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro.
Engr. Adekunle Olayinka said that the final list of candidates for the upcoming poll will soon be released and party FAITHFULS should accept the final decisions of the party as sacrosanct and binding on all. The success of the forthcoming poll is a major factor in determining our readiness to bring power back to the South-West in the 2023 Presidential race.
Engr. Adekunle Olayinka in his concluding address enjoined The KOPI Family and All Progressives Congress (APC) family at home and in diaspora to adopt the age long political readiness tactics he termed “Kóló Party Loyalty Ideal”.
Kóló also known as piggy bank is a saving box used in the olden and present days to keep valuables and soft assets. Kóló is readily available and accesible anytime, anyday you have needs for your valuables, hence, the adoption of the “Kóló Party Loyalty Ideal” by all members of APC to keep their voter’s and membership card and that of their family members and when a need arises for its use, members could just open the “Kóló”, use the cards and afterward return the cards back into the “Kóló” savely. An official prototype of the “Kóló” will be unveiled soon.
The Chairman of the Kunle Olayinka Peace Initiative, Hon. Shakiru Bababunmi Shabund, also reiterated that, the “Kóló Initiative” is an innovative, creative idea and such is rare in our modern day political history. He promised to lead from the front in mobilizing for the Hamzat/Akerele ticket and also charged KOPI members in Ojokoro to be fully on the field for the Tijani/Coker ticket ahead of July 24, 2021 Local Government election.
The former Executive Secretary and Chairmanship Aspirant of All Progressives Congress in Ifako-Ijaiye, Hon. Rotimi Adeleye (Mission Man) thanked Engr. Adekunle Olayinka and Hon. Shabund for their forthrightness and exemplary leadership. He said his loyalty to the party and it’s leadership unquestionably remain 100% and that, he will work for the interest and progress of the party under the rain and in the scorching heat of the sun.
Present at the gathering were APC Councillorship Candidates of Ward B, Mr. Oluwole Micheal Sholola (Okito); Ward D and F Councillors, Hon. Rasak Aremu Olaleye (Reekado) and Hon. Victor Onifade.
More so, KOPI members and executives from both Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro were fully represented.
The 24th of July, 2021 is sacrosanct. Save the date!
The Lagos State Government has expressed confidence that its proposed Tourism Master Plan will boost domestic tourism in the State, generate more revenue and harness the potentials that abound in the sector.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf made this known at a stakeholders forum organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture at Ikeja, Lagos with the theme: “Promoting Domestic Tourism post-COVID-19″.
She said, “Our conviction is drawn from the belief that this sector can thrive better if stakeholders are allowed to play their roles while the government provides the enabling environment by maintaining needed synergy with all individuals within the value chain.”
“It is also important to carry our stakeholders along in all our programmes, plans and policies such that the implementation of the Ministry’s policies would be easier and easily accepted by all the concerned practitioners”, she added.
The Commissioner reiterated the resolve to direct attention to the development of domestic tourism as a way of making sites attractive to both local and international tourists, saying that Lagos will leverage on the relationship with Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to grow the sector.
Her words: “We have equally taken a step further in our determination to increase the vibrancy of our tourism sites with the concept of Community-Based Tourism (CBT), which is premised on taking advantage of specific tourism potentials in all local Governments or Local Council Development Areas across the State.”
Akinbile-Yusuf also mentioned that tourism desk officers will be assigned to some Local Government Areas in the State to liaise with communities for discovery and documentation of tourist sites as a pilot scheme in CBT efforts.
Similarly, Mr. Fatai Oluwa, House Committee Chairman on Tourism, Arts and Culture said that despite the COVID-19 pandemic which affected virtually the global economy including the tourism sector, the Lagos State House of Assembly would continue to provide enabling legislation to promote the tourism sector.
He said: “We will provide direct support to the hard-hit tourism and travel industry, promote economic recovery and help increase public confidence as these industries look to reopen safely in the future”.
“The Committee will continue to advocate for policies to ensure our travel destinations and attraction centres make it through the effect of the pandemic and are ready to welcome visitors back as quickly and safely as possible”, Oluwa added.
Earlier in her address, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said COVID-19 made it more compelling for practitioners and stakeholders in the tourism sector to design modern strategies that would be in sync with current realities.
She stated that the forum was conceived to engage tourism enthusiasts and promoters for the development as well as ratification of tourism plans and policies, putting into consideration both perspectives.
The Permanent Secretary gave an assurance that the State Government will not relent in providing succour to tourism practitioners who suffered a setback as a result of the COVID outbreak.
“We are very concerned about engaging our stakeholders further on what we have done in the past and how we can jointly do things even better as we move forward into the future”, Princess Adedoyin-Ajayi said.
Speaking on the topic – Tourism Master Plan and Policy – Dr. Adun Okupe, a Tourism Consultant from the Lagos Business School, expressed the need for a review of the master plan for tourism, which was first developed between 2018- 2019.
Dr. Okupe said that the master plan focused on sustainability but domestic tourism is the way forward.
She maintained that domestic tourism must be focused on harmonising plans with other parts of the country to avoid duplication of efforts, saying that “Government should make sure that efforts are not being duplicated but learn to work together, thereby impacting lives positively”.
Presentations were also made by some tourism experts including the Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation and one-time Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture in Lagos State, Mr. Folarin Coker, a retired Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku and Mr. Bankole Bernard.
The stakeholders engagement also had in attendance the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Tunji Seymour and was well attended by key players in the industry.
While wishing Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu a happy birthday celebration, I pray God Almighty to continue to keep you in good health and bless you with many more years of robust service to Lagos State.
Your selfless service to humanity and Lagos State at large as well as many achievements you have recorded in both personal and public life, are some of the reasons we cannot but celebrate you on this occasion of your birthday
Have a wonderful celebration Mr. Governor.
Abiodun Yinusa is the SSA to the Speaker on Special Duties.
Today, I join my great party, APC, the good people of Lagos State and Nigerians at large, to celebrate with our indefatigable Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, as he clocks 56 years old today.
Glory be to Almighty Allah for making today possible and most especially making you the Governor of our dear State of Aquatic Splendour
It is a great honour knowing you as a very pragmatic, dedicated, responsible and articulate person.
May Almighty Allah give you strength, vigour, understanding and wisdom to pilot affairs of Lagos State to a greater Lagos of our dream.
Happy Birthday, Sir!
Pharm (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture.
AjasaInfo 