News

Steve Ayorinde at 50: Stakeholders Host Virtual Conference on Post-Covid-19 African Tourism

Published

6 years ago

July 6, 2020

Eric

A rich array of stakeholders in African Tourism and Creative Industry will on Thursday, July 9 converge to deliberate on how best to revive tourism on the continent and how creative and entertainment contents can serve as catalysts for the needed revival after four months of covid-19 pandemic.

The new coronavirus pandemic has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the tourism economy in Africa, but finding immediate recovery and sustenance will be the task of the stakeholders assembled across Africa in a Zoom Webinar designed in Honour of Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the former Commissioner for Tourism Arts & Culture in Lagos State, Nigeria’s sprawling commercial capital.
A journalist, author and culture aficionado, Ayorinde clocks 50 on the day of the conference, Thursday July 9, 2020.

According to a statement issued on Monday by PRM Africa, the Lead Organiser, the virtual conference is designed as a Pan-African event tagged “Close the Gap Conference” with the theme: “Post-COVID-19: For African Tourism to Revive, Reboot & Refocus.” The Zoom webinar with Zoom ID: 93542315938 will run between 12noon and 2pm (WAT).
Participation is FREE but registeration is required on this link: https://bit.ly/CTGwebinar.

The 2-hour conference’ will be moderated by South African Brand and Communication expert, Matlou Tsotetsi together with her Nigerian counterpart, Media Personality and Creative Industry Executive, Olisa Adibua.

Goodwill messages are expected from the Head of Culture, Social Affairs Commission, African Union Commission, (AUC), Angela Martins; and Nigerian Minister of Information, Culture, Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Leading the pack of a well-curated Pan-African panel to drive a sustainable path that will encourage intra-African tourism in-flow in the expected ‘new normal’ are President, Ecoplannet Sarl, Morocco who is also the President of Tourism Leadership Forum, Mr. James MacGregor; Regional Head-West Africa, South African Tourism, Mr. Thekiso Rakolojane; Founder, Villa Sands Hotel Group, Ilha de, Mozambique, Ms. Gisela Antman; Head of International Jury Department, Cairo International Film Festival, Egypt, Ms. Nayera Soliman; and President, West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO) Ms. Ola Wright.

Other panelists include the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman; Regional Marketing Manager, Kenya Tourism Board, Ms. Fiona Ngesa; Head Tourism, Brand Malawi Campaign, Ms. Janet Kathewera; A&R Manager, Africa for Sony ATV Music Publishing, South Africa, Munya Chanetsa; Founder, Akwaaba African Travel Market, Amb. Ikechi Uko; Chief Executive Officer, W-hospitality Group, Nigeria and Ms. Belinda Nwosu.

As part of the conference, two case studies will be examined as relevant examples of pan-African creative showpiece that tick the tourism and creative content boxes.
For this, insights will be shared by the President and Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Mr. Mike Dada; and President, Africa Movie Academy Awards, (AMAA) Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.

According to the organisers, this virtual conference celebrates a gentleman, Ayorinde, whose contributions to the development of tourism and creative industry in Lagos, Nigeria are noteworthy.
But more importantly, it also seeks to examine the need to close the gap for renewal and refocus on two levels:

“The need to close the gap among African countries and all the regions of the Continent for better inter-African flow of tourists
as well as the need to close the gap between tourism promoters and creative industry producers so that creative content can serve as catalysts for driving tourism within the Continent post-Covid19 when international inflow of tourists may take a while to pick up.”

The programme will be hosted by PRM Africa Marketing & Communications Ltd in collaboration with The Culture Newspaper (TCN).

Born 9 July 1970, Ayorinde is a renowned Nigerian journalist, media consultant, author and publisher who has devoted close to three decades to promoting the arts, creative enterprise and tourism across the continent.

For enquiries and participation, Please contact Olusola Dada on +234 8063 706 809 or Oluyinka Akanbi on +234 812 426 6662

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

18 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

19 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.

News

NDLEA Nabs UK-wanted Drug Lord after 15-Year Hunt

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of Nigerian and British authorities for over 15 years.

His arrest was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Ilomuanya, according to the agency, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what officials described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.

He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and later convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

In July 2011, Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK for drug-related offences.

Though granted administrative bail, he absconded and fled to Nigeria, evading further prosecution.

In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after uncovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories — one at his country home in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos.

During the operation, officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive drug production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped court bail, remaining on the run until his latest arrest.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and deepening international collaboration to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for global drug cartels.

Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.

The agency is expected to proceed with legal action against Ilomuanya in the coming days.