“Visa on Arrival Will Boost Inbound Tourism Revenue” ...Jumia MD

The managing director of Jumia's hotel and flight marketplace, Omolara Adagunodo has urged the federal government through the Nigerian Immigration Service to extend visa on arrival (VOA) to international tourists trooping into the country for leisure. 

Adagunodo who stated this at a recent tourism conference in Lagos said: "Foreign investors or business persons of international repute, executives of multinational companies and members of government delegations are all eligible to apply for Visa on Arrival but not international tourists who are coming to explore Nigeria's rich destinations and spend money.”

Adagunodo who commended the efforts of the federal government in making the visa application process seamless emphasised that from the numbers available to Jumia via the Jumia Hospitality Report 2018, there are tons of people who are willing to visit the country if the provision for visa on arrival can be extended to international tourists.

"We discovered that there was an increase in the number of international arrival in 2017. Unlike in 2016 where the country recorded a low influx of international tourists due to the security issues orchestrated by the terrorist group, Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria, the country welcomed 1.065 million international tourists, generating over N278 billion in revenue. According to forecast, Nigeria would have played host to 1.067 million foreigners by end of 2018.”

"These numbers simply show that there are so many people who are willing to visit Nigeria and we strongly believe that if the federal government's visa on arrival policy accommodates international tourists, these figures will be met and surpassed. It will not only boost tourism but also improve tourism's contribution to Nigeria's economy,” she added. 

It is noteworthy to add that countries like Ethiopia and Botswana recently announced that they will introduce visa on arrival at the point of entry. Botswana will offer tourist’ visa at the point of entry, effective 24th November 2018 while Ethiopia started issuing visa on arrival to all African travellers starting November 9, 2018.

Adagunodo emphasized that the introduction of the visa on arrival for international tourists will further help Nigeria meet the 2020 deadline set by the African Union for visa-free travel for African citizens within their own continent. 

Akwa Ibom Crisis: Gov. Udom, Storms Assembly, Chases Away 'Rebel' Lawmakers

The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly was again thrown into turmoil on Tuesday as a faction made up of five All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers clashed with those loyal to Onofiok Luke, the Speaker, at the assembly premises.

The APC lawmakers, Tuesday morning, made their way into the House chambers where they quickly held their ‘sitting’ and passed a “resolution” suspending 11 lawmakers.

The ‘sitting’ was presided over by Nse Ntuen (Essien Udim State Constituency).

The other four lawmakers were Gabriel Toby, Etim Ekpo/Ika; Otobong Ndem, Mkpat Enin; Victor Udofia, Ikono; and Idongesit Ituen, Itu.

They were yet to leave the assembly when the state governor, Udom Emmanuel, who belongs to the Peoples’ Democratic Party, arrived with police officers, officials of the State Security Service (SSS), and some youth loyal to the state government and the PDP to chase away the factional lawmakers.

Photos posted on Facebook showed some of the lawmakers fleeing for safety.

A car was reportedly set ablaze during the fracas.

“Let nobody, party think they can intimidate us in Akwa Ibom State,” the speaker, Mr Luke said during plenary, as he, alongside other lawmakers, took control of the assembly.

“The people of Akwa Ibom have shown solidarity as seen in what happened today. We will continue to stand with our governor. We will continue to make laws for our economic development of the state and for the betterment of the youth of the state,” the speaker said.

The House of Assembly, reacting to the latest development, passed a vote of confidence on Mr Luke.

The House called on security agencies to arrest the five lawmakers and a former sergeant-at-arms, Godwin Ukpong.

They also called for the redeployment of the new commissioner of police who is barely one week old in the state.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Charles Udoh, said it was necessary for the governor to visit the assembly because of the crisis.

“The governor is the chief security officer of the Akwa Ibom State, so when there is a security threat, the governor has to physically supervise what’s going on there,” Mr Udoh said.

“The five dissident, sacked House members, aided by the police with thugs dressed in fake police and army uniform, had invaded the House of Assembly.

“The governor, being the chief security officer of Akwa Ibom state, has an obligation to be there.

“The governor’s presence helped to restore peace and calm at the assembly, especially when you consider the fact that the illegality perpetrated by the five sacked members of the House of Assembly, was aided and abetted by the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

The five lawmakers, last week, defied the Constitution and announced the “removal” of Mr Luke after their seats were declared vacant for defecting from the PDP to the APC.

Inspiring Success Story of Wasiu Adeleke's Promo Agency 'Yomisil Global'

Entrepreneurship has to do with identifying gaps and business opportunities in one’s immediate environment and bringing together the necessary resources in an innovative way to fill those gaps, bearing the risks involved and in the process gaining personal rewards.

Information is a veritable source of entrepreneurship development, therefore entrepreneurs need to be regularly reminded of the basic functional areas regarding their enterprises so as to be up to date and be efficient and effective managers. It is on this note, I introduce to you Wasiu Adeleke, Chief Executive Officer of Yomisil Global, a promotional agency that centers its area of concentrations on sales, marketing of brands and products. Wasiu Adeleke has spent about 10 years in the promotion, sales and marketing of brands and products agency business in Nigeria, and he is still shining in the industry.

The dark skinned and bulky built sales and marketing guru started very early and he has carved a niche for himself as far as the profession is concerned, both in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Wasiu’s Yomisil Global has over the years prided itself as the most creative and vibrant promotional company, with enviable clients, likes Dorco Shaving Stick by Vine Morris Link Ltd; Ice Boss Energy Drink by Utecgreen; Flash Sardine and Laperia Margarine by MPI Supply Ltd; Popular Milk by Daily Beverages Nig. Ltd; (Red Sarsa Tin Tomatoes, Happy Fisher Tin Tomatoes, Happy Fisher Sardine); Vollereaux Champagne; Big Shock Energy Drink and Shocky Vodka Mix; and many more. The mogul, who is Alumni of Olivet Baptist High School Oyo and University of Ilorin, studied Agric Economics and Extension. He hails from Ila-Orangun, Osun state and married to Muibat Adeleke with three lovely kids.

Lagos Polytechnic Granted Radio License

The Lagos state polytechnic has acquired a license to operate a radio station.

The institution rector, Mr. Samuel Sogunro stated this in his address at the 40th-anniversary press conference.

He confirmed that the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, granted the radio station license to the institution and it has been equipped by the state government for operation.

Sogunro also listed some recent landmark achievements that the institution has obtained patent rights for at least three machines developed in the Polytechnic by staff and students.

The machines are a fuel less electric power generating set, automatic car jack, and biogas energy system.

He added that the Polytechnic has adopted the international public sector accounting standards(IPSAS) and has also commenced the process of implementing enterprises resources planning (ERP) for a smooth operation of the institution.

"The academic board has approved the commence of General agriculture for all students. This is in effect to mobilise our students for realisation of mass production of agricultural produce, poultry and fish farming etc. This is to encourage food security and ensuring that we are able to produce well for our communities.

"The Polytechnic also recently acquired water space and two hectares of land for fish farming/culture in Agbowa, Lagos.

"It is also worthy of note, in a bid to ensure the security of lives and property, the Polytechnic is strengthening the surveillance by providing CCTV on campus".

The Rector stressed that the Polytechnic is developing human capital for the realization of transforming the Polytechnic into a Polytechnic University status.

"Recently, the Lagos State Government under the leadership  Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode FCA, significantly gave adequate funding to the Polytechnic towards the success of the 2018 accreditation of sixty-six programmes in the Polytechnic.

"The state government has promised to construct a befitting administration block for the institution, a high capacity auditorium, completion of the abandoned sports complex and funding of the Polytechnic drone project for security surveillance in Lagos state.

"As the matter of fact, the state government has engaged consultants and released funds for the drone project which is currently on going".

While commending the Polytechnic management, the Rector said that "I wish to put on record, the contributions of retired and serving staff for the various roles played in bringing the Polytechnic to the enviable status it holds in the education sector today.

"The Polytechnic management in its wisdom believes that it is paramount to honour employee who have contributed immensely towards the development of the Polytechnic. Staff member of different categories have been selected for long service/meritorious awards in appreciating their services."

12 Govs' Wife, Famed Cancer Survivor, Others For OYSOWA Women Summit

At least 12 governors’ wives, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar; and famed lawyer-cum cancer survivor, Ms Adenike Oyetunde, will lead about 1000 delegates to this year’s Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association’s National Women Summit.

A statement by the Chairperson, Planning Committee and wife of Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bolanle Alli, on Monday, said that women rights activists, gender specialists and leadership trainers would converge on Ibadan for the summit titled, ‘Against all odds.’

She added the Convener of the summit and Wife of the state governor, Chief Florence Ajimobi, would be the chief hostess of the three-day event, beginning on Wednesday.

Alli explained that the governor’s wife established OYSOWA seven years ago to galvanize wives of elected and appointed state officials into leading the charge for the advancement of women politically and socially, as well as support for the government.

She said that the wife of the governor had also through various social safety nets, such as Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation (ABC), Ajumose Food Bank, Educate A Rural Child, empowered more than one million citizens of the state.

According to her, 751,000 people across the 351 wards in the state, as well as 6600 in orphanages, 3000 widows and 6000 aged have benefited from the Ajumose Food Bank alone, while several thousand have enjoyed free medical care.

Alli said, “Some of the issues that have been on OYSOWA front burner include poverty alleviation schemes, appointments, and domestication of laws that prescribe punishments for violence against women and child abuse, among others.

“Since the OYSOWA national summit began seven years ago, more than 10,000 women have been empowered with life-changing business ideas, knowledge and financial support.

“Generally speaking, more than one million citizens of Oyo State, including orphans and the vulnerable have benefitted from the altruistic gestures of Her Excellency in the past seven years. Many displaced women and children have been sheltered.

“In line with its’ vision and objectives, OYSOWA has also been involved in laudable projects geared towards improving the lot of the women folk, including advocacy and awareness walk on the rising incidence of domestic violence, rape and cancer.”

Alli stated that this year’s summit was poised to surpass the previous ones in terms of attendance and topical issues aimed at giving the women and the child a new lease of life.

According to her, other speakers billed for the summit include Chairman/Chief Executive Officer-designate, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Dr Laila St. Matthews-Daniels; popular thespian, Joke Silva; Rev. Kemi Ijagbulu; seasoned international development expert, Mrs. Grace Adetula; Dr Nkem Okoro and Dr. Adeola Faleye.

Mikel Obi Presents World Cup Shirt To Tinubu

The shirt worn by Mikel Obi, Nigeria’s skipper in the 2-0 defeat of Iceland at the Russia 2018 World Cup has been framed and presented to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The presentation was made at the Ikoyi home of the famous politician on Tuesday when Mikel Obi paid a courtesy call to the Bourdillon home of the APC leader.

Mikel is in the country to unfold his plans for the “Nigeria’s Next Football Superstar” which is due to hold early next year in three locations in Nigeria.

K1 de Ultimate Loses Lead Vocalist, Saxophonist Falls Into Coma!

Fuji music czar, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall a.k.a. K1 de Ultimate, is bereaved. The 'Talazo' exponent, an inside source told Global Excellence magazine, lost his lead vocalist simply called 'Dipo this (Sunday) evening.


Also, the only saxophonist on the 'Ultimate Band' known as Joel, reportedly fell into coma on Saturday due to undisclosed ailment.


The source in the know, who described the deceased 'Dipo as 'a gentleman to the core', said that on Saturday when team members called to inform him of a show due for Sunday (today) evening at Oduduwa Street at GRA, Ikeja, he complained that he had been unable to sleep for some days.


"We called to tell him about today's show at Oduduwa GRA but he said he was sick and had not been able to sleep for some days. When we called later, we were told that he had been taken to hospital for treatment. Later, he called back and said he was fine, only to hear he has died this afternoon," the source informed.


The source denied knowledge of the nature of the saxophonist, Joel's ailment but said he was still in coma as at when Global Excellence magazine got the information.
Nonetheless, the GRA Ikeja Sunday (this) night show would go on as planned, according to the source, "because Alhaji (K1) can't afford to disappoint the organizers who are social influencers and had taken time to plan for the event, though he (K1) won't be in the right frame of mind because 'Dipo was one of his most loyal boys."


It was gathered that a few band members who are close to the deceased and the sick might not honour the Sunday night engagement with the team.

A top member of K1 musical team confirmed the story.