EDITED BY FRANK MEKE
As Nigeria forges ahead of tackling its many socioeconomic matters, the rising cases of kidnappings across the country are now major concern among the citizenry, in particular among investors. In this month of September alone, kidnappers have laid siege on major highways in the country, roads in Enugu, Zamfara, sokoto, and kogi hard hit, prompting the American embassy in Nigeria to warn its citizens in a travel alert to avoid if possible about travelling to and within 28 states in the country adjudged as unsafe.
Chief Emmanuel iwuayanwu led Ohanaeze Ndi igbo cultural organisation, has advised the igbo nation not despair in view of insecurity and economic woes facing the region, noting that a silver lining is about to spring forth in the region. Chief Emmanuel iwuayanwu noted that the massive presence and economic power of the igbo in Diaspora will be harnessed to drive development across all human development expectations. Towards this end, he disclosed while appealing to Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pay more security attention in the Eastern region that Ohanaeze chapters will be launched across Europe, America, Asia, Canada and everywhere in the world where the igbos reside in greater numbers to mobilize investment support to the troubled Eastern region of Nigeria.
Lagos state government may reintroduce the monthly environment clean-up programme in the state, as signs that the city is heading down the old part of resurgening mountainous heaps of refuse and filth. As Africa 5th best city is to live, invest, and recreate, lagos can not afford to go back to the slum way as every liveable city destination is judged by its public space hygiene and cleanliness ecosystem. The three major markets in the city have been flagged down for not meeting public hygiene expectations.
Still on lagos, its agency on Environmental Protection has assured of its commitment to rid the most populated city in Nigeria of pollution. Kayode Bello, Director, monitoring, Compliance Enforcement of the agency says the group’s commitment to pursue its extant regulations is non-negotiable, and warned those who pollute the environment to change from their ways or made accountable to law. Nigeria’s foremost pathfinder on boat and water transportation, Dr Gani Balogun, also known as Tarzan, received Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria( ftan ) corporate award yesterday in UYO, Akwa Ibom state capital as the Highpoint of the World Tourism Day celebrations, hosted by the state government. Dr Gani Tarzan Balogun, is the founding president of the association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria ( ATBOWATON) and has been in the forefront of the campaign to use Nigeria”s vast inland waterways for transportation for the movement of goods and persons. As an indigenous boat construction engineer, Dr Gani Balogun has built three large ferries and badges deployed to move cars and heavy equipment across waters to uplands and littoral tourism communities. Next week, we shall endeavour to bring him live to our studios in lagos to discuss the industry and his well-deserved award. We at Creative Nigeria rejoice with the boatman, Dr Gani Tarzan Balogun, on his ftan award.
Wild fund Africa, a non-profit organisation on biosphere protection and preservation, says all hands must be on deck to save the over 100 forest gorillas in Cross River state from coming to harms way, particularly from poachers Peter Knights and Festus iyorah , CEO, Wild Africa fund and Nigeria representive on the board the fund, respectively, spoke at the world Gorilla Day celebrations, September 24th, noting that adequate protection and awareness ecosystem must be at the forefront of safeguarding these endangered species which in itself can help change the wildlife tourism narratives in Nigeria, prospering rural communities and the country as a tourist destination.