By Frank Meke
About 4 a.m. on Sunday, September 6, I woke up to a message from a good friend who was disturbed by a certain write-up against me and had it spiked on his platform.
According to him, the writer, who is currently outside Nigeria and, in his words, could not find his footing as an image-maker at the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), had resorted to conjuring evil imaginations in an attempt to poison people’s perception of me.
Honestly, I was not bothered. I did not lose sleep after reading the tissues of lies from the deranged fellow. But as is my nature, I felt the need to set the record straight on some of the issues he raised, particularly those he shared with people whose character and disposition are not too different from his.
Indeed, I remember Adolf Hitler’s chief propagandist, Joseph Goebbels, and the coincidence that this disgraceful writer shares the same first name. But in truth, and from what little I know about him, this fake Joseph Goebbels has always been a failure.
Unfortunately, we live in a country where people have short memories and sometimes ignore individuals whose actions reveal troubling patterns of dishonesty and mischief.
On July 2, 2024, the management of NIHOTOUR reportedly transferred this fellow away from the image-related position he occupied and moved him to the Department of Research and Statistics. The allegation at the time was that he had failed to improve the corporate image of NIHOTOUR and had instead engaged in what some considered propaganda, using his office to irritate stakeholders, haul insults and generate negative publicity for the organisation.
One aspect of his conduct that I clearly remember was his bitter disposition towards the organised tourism media.
Let me make this clear: this fake and failed version of Joseph Goebbels is not a trained journalist and, to my knowledge, has no established pedigree in journalism. He reportedly begged his way into the noble assembly of tourism journalists, and I understand that his first boss, a former President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), may have helped facilitate his membership.
If some of my colleagues who are still alive and witnessed his conduct are willing to speak, they should come forward and share their experiences of what I consider his destructive and egocentric tendencies. Perhaps the time has come to expose and put a stop to self-serving individuals in our midst.
This self-exiled fellow would, in those days, travel from Abuja to Lagos, reportedly funded by his boss, who, by my personal assessment, was one of the worst things to happen to that agency. He would allegedly drive to Oyingbo Market, recruit all manner of people as supposed journalists and tour operators, and use them to create the appearance of a tourism training programme.
There were allegations at the time that such activities were designed to circumvent procedures and misappropriate tourism training funds. Those allegations remain matters that can and should be subjected to proper investigation where necessary.
His records, and those of his former boss, are matters that I believe deserve scrutiny. If there are questions to answer, the appropriate investigative authorities should do their work.
His mistake, and that of the likes of those I describe as “Gbewudanis”—placeholders—in the current leadership of FTAN who engaged him, is the resurrection of battles and histories that many of us thought had been buried with the past.
There have been allegations concerning about humongous amounts arising from the five-cent levy collected by NIHOTOUR between 2020 and 2024 as the supervision fees of the controversial constituency contracts. Questions have been raised about how such funds were managed and accounted for.
If there are outstanding questions, those who had responsibility during the period should be prepared to provide answers to the appropriate authorities. I believe that a proper investigation, rather than speculation, is the best way to establish the truth.
His Version Of Nura Kangiwa And The NIHOTOUR Bill
This Joseph Goebbels once again demonstrated, in my view, his lack of understanding of the history of the NIHOTOUR regulatory legislation.
In a public post, he claimed that he fine-tuned and edited various chapters of the NIHOTOUR Act as an “insider.” In the same breath, however, he appeared to contradict the alleged position of his former boss on the bill while also aligning himself with the position of the FTAN President, Badaki Aliyu, in opposing its implementation.
To describe this as contradictory would be an understatement.
Although his former employer, Nura Kangiwa, is alive and capable of speaking for himself, the historical record is clear to me: the NIHOTOUR Bill did not begin with Nura Kangiwa, nor did it originate with this propagandist.
Bills of this nature are ultimately legislative instruments that pass through established legal and parliamentary processes. They are not the exclusive creations of self-appointed insiders.
As a tourism columnist with TheCable Online, in an article dated June 13, 2017, titled “NIHOTOUR Bill And Its Toxic Content,” I wrote an introduction to a report based on interviews I conducted with then-President of NANTA, Bankole Bernard; Nkereweum Onung, then President of NATOP; Andrew Okungbowa, then President of ANJET; and the late Victor Kayode, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI).
I wrote:
“Chika Balogun, Nigeria’s chief tourism trade trainer, is about to enter the tourism history books as the first initiator and promoter of the first democratic tourism legislation in Nigeria.”
I continued:
“Her bill titled ‘National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Bill 2016’ would go through first public hearing at the National Assembly this week and the furore generated by content and intention of the bill proposes a verdict of total and absolute rejection.”
Those interested in the full disclosure of that report can search for the article on TheCable Online.
But one historical fact that deserves clarification is this: neither Nura Kangiwa nor the propagandist Joseph Goebbels of NIHOTOUR was responsible for birthing that bill.
After the first public hearing, in which private-sector stakeholders participated, there was apparently little follow-up on subsequent hearings. At the time, many of us believed that our position—particularly our objection to the transition of NIHOTOUR from a training institute into a regulatory institution—was sufficient.
In that same interview, Chika Balogun questioned the “validity of certain relationships.” This reflected the concerns and sentiments of some stakeholders that the FTAN leadership of that era, and perhaps elements within the Institute of Tourism Professionals, had some involvement in the evolution of the NIHOTOUR Bill.
History, however, has a way of correcting assumptions.
After our mobilisation against the proposed transition failed, I reappraised my position. I subsequently spoke extensively with Chika Balogun after she left office. I found her brilliant and, in many respects, misunderstood, although she was unwilling to throw under the bus those who had encouraged and supported her efforts to transform NIHOTOUR into a regulatory institution.
Nura Kangiwa eventually picked up the bill and helped shepherd it through the National Assembly until it became law and was subsequently assented to by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
That is where his journey begins in this particular historical account.
It is also significant that Nura Kangiwa is one of us in the tourism industry. Before his appointment as Director-General of NIHOTOUR, he served as North-West Vice President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria.
Therefore, there should be no unnecessary complication. If one of our own, alongside many others in the industry, supported the eventual legislation, why then does the controversy surrounding its implementation continue?
Those accusing me of shifting my position on the NIHOTOUR regulatory initiative have failed to acknowledge my subsequent support for its implementation after I became better informed about the potential gains of transforming the institute from a mere training institution into a regulatory citadel.
Indeed, I recall that Nura Kangiwa once proposed inviting me to study the Act before I took my position into the public space and contributed to the implementation ecosystem. Unfortunately, that proposal did not materialise.
I do not seek public or private validation for my position on critical industry issues. Those who are quick to accuse others of pecuniary motives should perhaps take another look in the mirror.
Frank Meke is not a commodity for sale.
I am aware that many people are uncomfortable with my positions and my commitment to causes I believe in within the tourism industry. They have every right to disagree.
I will, however, continue to stand for what I believe to be the truth. Wherever I become convinced that a clearer understanding of an issue will benefit the growth and development of our industry, I will humbly align with it.
One thing I abhor and will never do is deliberately pull people down.
I hate lies and mischief-makers; people who manipulate others, break truces, refuse to forgive, never see anything good in others, and are driven by envy and jealousy.
I have written countless articles urging FTAN to embrace the NIHOTOUR law and work from within the system to address areas it considers problematic, even though the federation has not always clearly articulated the specific provisions it objects to.
To hire this refugee and attention-seeking fellow to attempt to rewrite the industry’s narrative is, to me, unfortunate.
Three of my articles, among many others, provide sufficient evidence for anyone genuinely interested in understanding where we are today:
- “Industry Reforms: The Private Sector Déjà Vu” — June 13, 2025, African Gong Online.
- “Policy Overlaps, Practitioners And The Customers’ Bill Of Rights: Addressing The Bogeymen” — August 25, 2025, African Gong.
- “Auditing Industry Associations: The Politics Of Policy Overlaps And Lessons Not Learnt” — September 18, 2025.
- On Samuel Alabi And Tomi Akingbogun
Honestly, I do not know exactly when Samuel Alabi became FTAN President, nor how Tomi Akingbogun came into the picture. Those were perhaps the periods when I chose to walk away from the federation for reasons best known to me.
These gentlemen are neither my friends nor my enemies.
I have had a few personal encounters with Chief Samuel Alabi, and my impressions are best kept to myself.
The last time I visited him at his Eko Hotel office was during the Buhari administration. The first occasion was when Nura Kangiwa visited him shortly after his appointment. The second was when I served as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the ATBOWATON- and FTAN-inspired World Tourism Day celebration held at Tarkwa Bay Beach.
Samuel Alabi not only supported the initiative but was physically present.
That celebration brought together many of the major players in the tourism industry—men who had previously perceived themselves as foes. It happened under the leadership of Nkereweum Onung as FTAN President, a man widely regarded as a peacemaker and encourager of men and women in the industry.
I recall that Alabi asked why I was always at the Presidential Villa. I know the answer I gave him: I do not go around visiting people’s offices unless I am invited.
So, once again, the refugee from NIHOTOUR got his facts wrong.
On Edem Duke, Lai Mohammed And Lola Ade-John
My answer is simple: my job demands that I hold government officials and appointees accountable.
Since he is not a journalist, perhaps that ethical responsibility is strange to him.
My positions on Edem Duke, Lai Mohammed and Lola Ade-John are in the public domain. He can research my articles in Vanguard and The Sun newspapers if he genuinely wants to understand how the job is done.
Interestingly, many people in positions of authority who have left office have acknowledged that my reports challenged them to do better or helped draw attention to issues that required attention.
I suspect Joseph Goebbels of NIHOTOUR would have liked to cross over into our beat, but his lack of formal journalism training and what I perceive as an oversized ego have consistently undermined that ambition.
In the history of organised tourism media, he also carries the unfortunate distinction of being, to my knowledge, the first person expelled from ANJET, the organised tourism media association.
That dark badge, I suspect, still pains him.
His alignment with elements of the current FTAN leadership in attacking me therefore appears to be less about issues and more about settling old scores through a WhatsApp group dedicated to attacking my person.
There are many like him in FTAN today—people who appear to regard bitterness and division as virtues.
On ATPN
He was not even born when ATPN evolved.
Even the emergence of FTAN following the setbacks experienced by the Amachree-led ATPN involved the contributions of people he may never have known or met.
Among those who played roles in building networks within the sector were Alhaji Tukur Mani, Deji Adeleye, the late Segun Oyedeji, Jimi Alade, Victoria Soulade, Gani “Tarzan” Balogun and my humble self.
These were people who contributed to the networking and organisational gains that eventually shaped the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria.
The current “Gbewudani” in ATPN is simply wasting his time. The same applies to the so-called placeholders in NHA, the Car Hire Association and several other bodies that, in my view, have been reduced to election voting materials without significant sectoral presence.
It is certainly not Frank Meke who empowered them to become conduits for undermining genuine associations.
Let me therefore issue this warning: if anyone is hired to write trash about me, I may choose to ignore it. But should I decide that historical and ethical issues require a response, I cannot guarantee that the response will be comfortable for those involved.
- Nkereweum Onung: Happy Birthday
I and other men and women of goodwill celebrate you today.
Your star will not dim, neither will you be put to shame. You remain one of the finest brains our industry has produced, and I believe God is not finished with you.
For those who hate you, may your continued success become their greatest discomfort, in Jesus’ name.
Happy birthday, brother.
And to my brother, Professor Wasiu Babalola, may your greatness help liberate our industry. Stay focused and make God your friend.
May God become the enemy of your enemies, in Jesus’ name.
Anything left unaddressed?
Perhaps the questions surrounding NIHOTOUR between 2020 and 2024 deserve the attention of the appropriate investigative authorities, including the EFCC and ICPC, if there are credible grounds for investigation.
And if that day comes, I will be interested to hear what the returning “refugee” Joseph Goebbels has to say about the events of that period.
History has a way of bringing everyone back to account.
