The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has launched a new product to reinvent the nation’s tourism industry.
Announcing the innovation while addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Director-General of NTDC, Folorunsho Coker, stated that the product is being launched to utilise the potential of tourism for economic growth.
“Across the world, tourism has evolved to become one of the fastest-growing industries.
“This growth has been driven by the deployment of advanced technology in travel and increased holiday culture. Indeed, the opportunities embedded in tourism are enormous.
“However, to fully utilize the potential of tourism for economic growth, we recognize that we cannot revert to the old ways of working, there is an urgent need to reflect and rethink what we do and how we do it.
“Therefore, we have identified the need to deploy technological solutions for sectorial growth across the tourism value chain in Nigeria.
“With over 147 million active internet subscriptions and a teledensity of almost 97%, we have a ready-made and vast domestic market for tourism development locally.
Why the Hackathon?
“As a Corporation, we launched “Tour Nigeria” as the strategic vision to market domestic tourism across the country in 2017 and we also designed an ambitious plan to reinvent the tourism industry through the CHIEF PLAN, which is an acronym that stands for Corporate Governance, Human Capital Development, Infrastructure Development, Events and Financing’’
“We have come up with the “Hackathon” to provide unique and innovative solutions to identified challenges and gaps across the tourism value chain in Nigeria, using digital tools that will be developed at scale within the next 18-24 months,” he said.
According to the NTDC DG, some of the identified challenges burdening businesses within the ecosystem include Proper Pricing, Safe Payment channels, Access to the market, Customer service and retention, and Bookings and reservations.
Coker revealed that other issues raised include Data Collection and Analytics, Distribution, Setup, System Issues, Supply Chain and Logistics.
He emphasised that the goal of NTDC is to improve the country’s ranking on the World Economic Forum competitiveness index by harnessing the growing popularity of digital technology to solve prevalent problems across the tourism value chain in Nigeria.
He said: “We want to be able to imagine a future in which a tourist’s journey experience is fully enhanced by the digitization of all support activities (from the pre-booking stages until the destination experience), with more digital interactions supported by data shared in a customized, secure and private way between the different players within the tourism ecosystem.
“To achieve this desired objective, we are looking for ideas that are scalable and sustainable on a use-case basis. Ideas that encompass Smart integration of information (Smart City), Multimodal mobility services, Customized route optimization, Ideas with sustainability in mind, and Virtual and Augmented Reality.
“The opportunities are limitless through technology, which is why we’re reaching out to the tech community to come up with new ideas for the sector. How? The initiative is a collaborative effort of the private and public sectors, where the private sector brings intellectual capacity, and the public sector provides the enabling resources that will help the ideas thrive.
“The Hackathon creates an avenue for carefully selected developers from the six geo-political zones of the country to develop digital tools that aim to solve some of the frictions and dislocations experienced across the industry. With the support of the UNWTO and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, we believe we can achieve these objectives.”
Acknowledging that the scourge of brazen extortion by miscreants on Lagos streets was on the increase, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohunda Moshood Jimoh, and heads of other security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering with the latest security apparatuses, increase surveillance on black spots across the metropolis, and, where necessary, arrest such miscreants, and have the state rehabilitate them.
Hon. Sanni Okanlawon (representing Kosofe Constituency 1) raised the alarm at plenary Tuesday, May 6, under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ stating; “The unlawful extortion of stranded and innocent motorists by miscreants remains a growing concern that demands urgent attention. Nobody on the streets of Lagos is immune to their activities. If left unchecked, they could render the state unsafe.” He painted different unsavoury scenarios of how the street urchins operate brazenly, which he described as unacceptable, and called for urgent intervention to protect road users.
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Supporting the motion, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho Constituency II) noted that this particular trend threatens the safety and sanity of road transportation in the state. Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) corroborated this and emphasised the need for active surveillance by security agencies. He also suggested the involvement of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that many of the offenders act under the influence of illegal substances.
Similarly, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu Constituency II) urged the Commissioner of Police to set up a tactical team dedicated mainly to road monitoring because “It is high time the government took the bull by the horns.” Commending Hon. Okanlawon for moving the motion, Hon. Adebola Shabi (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2) said local government chairmen have a huge role in combating this menace. Effective strategies, she added, have to be devised while recommending the installation of CCTV cameras at identified black spots.
However, Hon. Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe Constituency 2) disclosed that the government has invested heavily in security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, and, therefore, should not sit back and watch miscreants take over the city.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa commended Hon. Okanlawon and the lawmakers who contributed robustly to the debate. He said that the police and other security agencies, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), must collaborate to ensure that Lagos remains safe for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.
The EFCC has apprehended Olawole Sunday, suspected of buying bank account details for online fraud, following a £2 million forex scam
Operatives of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended one Olawole Sunday, a suspected internet fraudster accused of orchestrating a scheme involving the purchase of bank account details from individuals for the purpose of perpetrating financial crimes.
In a statement released on Monday by the EFCC’s head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, it was revealed that Sunday’s alleged fraudulent operation involved the recruitment of young individuals to open multiple bank accounts.
Oyewale stated that Sunday purportedly paid these individuals sums ranging between N25,000 and N50,000 for each bank account they opened, subsequently collecting their complete banking details, including their Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.
The EFCC detailed how the investigation began when Sunday allegedly utilised the account details of one Uyi Eghosa to defraud an unsuspecting victim of N2 million under the false pretence of engaging in lucrative forex trading.
Following the fraudulent transaction, Eghosa was arrested by EFCC operatives. During the course of interrogation, Eghosa claimed complete ignorance of the illicit use of his bank account.
He informed investigators that he had handed over his account details and ATM card to Sunday in exchange for a payment of N25,000.
Oyewale elaborated on the operation leading to Sunday’s arrest, stating, “Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Olawole Sunday, a suspected fraudster who specialised in buying bank accounts’ details from individuals with which he defrauds unsuspecting members of the public.
Sunday’s modus operandi involved encouraging young people to open multiple bank accounts, pay them either N25,000 or N50,000 for each account and collect their bank details, including Automated Teller Machine cards.”
The EFCC spokesperson further explained, “Sunday allegedly employed the account details of one Uyi Eghosa to defraud a petitioner of the sum of N2 million under the guise of trading in forex.
The account owner, Eghosa, was arrested, and his disclosure that he was unaware that his account was used in defrauding members of the public led to Sunday’s arrest.”
Oyewale confirmed that upon his arrest, Sunday confessed to the alleged crime. He added that the suspect would be formally charged in court as soon as the ongoing investigations are concluded.
Epe LG chairman, Hon. Surah Animashaun, celebrates Aare Emmanuel-King at 50
Tributes pour in for Adron Group CEO, Aare Adetola Olaniyi Emmanuel-King, on his 50th birthday, celebrating his dedication to affordable housing and community development.
Tributes pour in for Adron Group CEO, Aare Adetola Olaniyi Emmanuel-King, on his 50th birthday, celebrating his dedication to affordable housing and community development.
Epe Local Government Executive Chairman, Hon. (Princess) Surah O. Animashaun FHTI, has extended warm congratulations to Aare Adetola Olaniyi Emmanuel-King, Chairman and CEO of Adron Group, on his 50th birthday, praising his significant contributions to affordable housing in Nigeria.
The milestone birthday celebrates Emmanuel-King’s remarkable journey as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose dedication has positively impacted numerous Nigerian families.
“Your steadfastness in pursuing your vision, despite challenges, is a shining example of your perseverance and passion.”
Animashaun highlighted his “innovative approach” and “steadfastness in pursuing his vision,” despite facing challenges.
Emmanuel-King’s commitment to making affordable housing accessible has earned him widespread recognition, with his work inspiring others to strive for excellence and community development.
Animashaun concluded her tribute by wishing him “continued good health, wisdom, and success,” as he embarks on a new chapter of life.