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WTD: Lagos Govt Partners NATOP, FTAN to Train, Empower Tarkwa Bay Beachfront Operators

Published

5 months ago

September 28, 2025

Eric

Lagos State government in partnership with the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), South West Zone, have trained and donated sets of modern grilling and barbecue equipment to beachfront tourism operators in Tarkwa Bay Island, Lagos. This was part of the activities to mark the 2025 World Tourism Day (WTD) with the theme ‘Tourism and sustainable transformation.’

The state’s celebration of WTD took place at the beachfront of Tarkwa Bay Island, Lagos State.

President of NATOP Hajia Bolaji Mustapha who spoke on behalf of the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the donation of the these items was in line with the theme for this year’s celebration ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’. She said: “Tourism is not just about leisure, it is about transforming lives. Tourism will help diversify our economy beyond oil. You can see how countries like Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and others have harnessed tourism to change their stories. Nigeria has even greater potentials with our culture, landscape, and warm people.
“To achieve success, we must work together both the government and the private sector to make the industry thrive. That is why I urge all to visit and explore different tourist sites in Nigeria before we start thinking of touring outside Nigeria. As Nigerians, we need to also know Nigeria.

“Tourism is also about people, telling our stories and building opportunities for the next generation. Together, we can make Nigeria a nation that tourists will not just want to visit, but return to again and again.”

Speaking on why the donations were made to grill operators, the NATOP President said: “Thanks to the FTAN Vice President for joining us in this initiative and actually bringing in chefs to help accomplish the initiative by training people on ground here. When visitors come to this community and the sellers want to serve, the presentation really matter. From what the chefs have taught them.”

Mr, Gbenga Sunmonu, the FTAN Vice President of South West Zone, said tourism is used to foster cultural exchange, economic growth and sustainable development. He thanked both the Lagos State government and NATOP for the collaboration, said the theme for 2025 WTD
emphasizes on sustainability. He continued: “One of the things we have come here to do today is to look at our cuisines and see how we can support the community here, and see how they can incorporated some new techniques and innovations in preparation of grilled fish.”

The fish grilling equipment were later presented the grill making equipment to the restaurant owners.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, the island’s youth leader, Mr. Agabi Godwin, said: “I am speechless, but accept us the way we are. What you have done today is beyond our expectations, but believe me, we are so happy. We are blessed and God will bless you all for remembering this island. We have gone through a lot… after demolition; we were pushed here and there. In short, God brought you and we say God will bless you for remembering us. Of course you can see with the charcoal, that is a how we manage. Thank you in advance for so many other things you promised to do for us”

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Tinubu Nominates Oyedele As Minister of State for Finance, Moves Anite-Uzoka to Budget Ministry

Published

17 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, has announced that “President Bola Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele as the minister of state for finance, replacing Doris Anite-Uzoka.

“Mrs Anite-Uzoka will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

“President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Mr Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

“Until President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Mr Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

“Mr Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

“He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance. He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

“He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

“Mr Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

“Mr Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.”

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Defection: Atiku’s Son, Adamu, Resigns As Adamawa Commissioner

Published

22 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Adamu Abubakar, the first son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has resigned as Adamawa State’s commissioner for works and energy development, days after Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Abubakar’s resignation letter, dated 2 March 2026, was addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government. He gave no reason for his departure.

The timing is pointed. Fintiri announced his defection to the APC in a statewide broadcast last Friday, saying his cabinet and the PDP’s state structure had moved with him. Within 24 hours, 22 commissioners and special advisers publicly announced they were following suit. Abubakar, whose father remains one of the PDP’s most prominent national figures, was not among them.

In a statement issued Monday night, Abubakar’s media aide Abdulaziz Jauro said the former commissioner thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued loyalty to the administration’s developmental agenda. He also expressed gratitude to his father “for granting him the moral support and blessing to serve the people of Adamawa State” — a line that, read in context, suggests Atiku was consulted on the decision.

Abubakar said his resignation was not a withdrawal from public life. “This does not mark the end of his commitment to public service,” the statement read, “but rather the beginning of new avenues for developmental collaboration.”

The resignation leaves unresolved the question of whether it reflects a political break with the governor over his defection or a personal decision unconnected to the broader party realignment now reshaping Adamawa’s political landscape.

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DSS Nabs Man over Assassination Attempt on Peter Obi

Published

24 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a man in connection with the recent attack and alleged assassination threats targeting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to AIT, the shooting incident took place on February 24, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering attended by Obi and several figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The meeting was hosted by former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Gunmen reportedly opened fire at the venue, causing panic and forcing attendees to disperse for safety.

According to security sources, shortly after the attack, an individual identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to social media claiming responsibility and issuing additional threats against Obi, warning of further violence.

Intelligence officials reportedly initiated swift investigations, employing digital tracing and forensic tools that led to the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect in Rivers State. He is said to be a teacher at a private secondary school in the Eliozu area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face prosecution. The agency reiterated its commitment to responding to credible threats and safeguarding lives and national interests without bias.