Edited by Frank Meke.
** The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says 75 million Nigerian kids are at risk from water related threats of inadequate clean water, sanitation and hygiene diseases and climate change hazards. This scenario also listed Nigeria as one of the ten countries, where child deaths from diseases facilitated by inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene, is paramount. Nigeria also ranked second, globally out of 163 countries, as a destination with the highest risk of environmental and climate change hazards.
*** Promotion of regional trade and movement of goods through proper charting of Nigerian waterways received plaudits from stakeholders. A survey and charting of the lower River Niger by hydrographers from Nigerian navy and National Inland Waterways Authority ( Niwa) with funding support from Nigeria Import and Export Bank ( Nexim) is expected to stimulate over 70 billion dollars trade bridge through the waterways in Nigeria which has largely remained unexploited over the years. Nexim had few years ago attempted the establishment of a regional shipping line, known as Sealink project to operate within regional market, reducing travel transit ecosystem and logistics structures, enhancing competitiveness and connectivity. This later captured Inland Waterways, particularly to evacuate bulk cargo. Tourism was also in the picture, may find bearing if this new intent becomes successful.
** Tourism collaborators and trade groups, led by Dr Gani Tarzan Balogun and Mr Tope Fajemirokun, has sent warm congratulations to lagos governor, Babajide sanwo-0lu who was re- elected for second tenure, Saturday in Lagos. Dr Balogun and Fajemirokun mobilized Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters for the governor, satisfied with the game changing initiatives introduced by the governor to enhance water transportation connectivity and safety across lagos littoral communities. The duo prayed that the governor, will further open more business opportunities for boat and ferry services providers, and also look into various challenges, mitigating growth expectations for water transportation in lagos. Still on the governor’s electoral victory, President, Nigeria Hotel and Catering Institute ( NHCI), Mr Gbenga Sumonu also felicitated with lagos governor for coming out tops at the keenly contested election, noting that his association, will share additional roads maps with the governor in moving hospitality and catering businesses forward in the state, particularly in the areas of job creation and training intervention programmes.
** President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, ( fran) says the association is studying the various tourism and related programmes of the emerging political players and will appropriately engage them when the political pictures becomes clear and settled. He prayed for peace and harmonious existence of the people of Nigeria, adding that the cultural tourism diversity of the country, is a huge economy and experience that cannot be found anywhere in the world, particularly in Music, Dances, Culinary expressions and fashion.
** Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) suggests that security and rebooting the economy should be the top economic intervention fulcrum of the new incoming administration, during the launch out to its 100 days in office, after inauguration. Segun Ajayi, Director General, MAN disclosed that the group is ready to partner with government in finding a way of the various economic challenges troubling the country.
** Reports that consumer goods facilitator , Unilever Nigeria, is set to exist the home care and skin cleaning market, has emerged. Abidemi Ademola, company secretary in a notice to Nigeria stock exchange Ltd, disclosed that Unilever is changing its business focal lines to deepen growth of the company and meet with stakeholders needs.
