By Wale Ojo-Lanre Esq.
Venue: BON Hotel, Sobo Arobiodu Street
Event: Revalidation of the National Tourism Policy
Only God will judge Barrister Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, along with the tourism stakeholders who gathered at BON Hotel, Ikeja, on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The occasion was the revalidation of the National Tourism Policy—a project spearheaded by the outgoing Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John.
For Mrs. Lola Ade-John, this day will forever remain etched in her memory. It was a day she may look back on with either gratitude or regret, having been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the first Minister of a stand-alone Ministry of Tourism. It was her “payday” for the deeds, acts, and efforts she invested in that ministry. A day of reckoning for boldly dedicating herself to serve Nigeria.
Nigerians, as I realized that day, are not fools; they are wise, perceptive, and not afraid to speak their minds. When you hold public office, know that people are watching, whether you realize it or not. The moment you leave office, especially at an event like this, where you stand before stakeholders, is when you truly understand that Nigerians have been taking note all along.
And so, on that day, Mrs. Lola Ade-John faced her reckoning. It was a day of nemesis that made clear the truth of “what you sow, you shall reap”—and she reaped her harvest, in broad daylight, before her successor, Minister Hannatu Musawa. That day, I had to applaud the tourism stakeholders and practitioners present for their frankness. They didn’t hold back in expressing their feelings, impressions, and evaluations of her performance.
At the event—the Validation of the National Tourism Policy—stakeholders acknowledged her efforts on the very project she had labored to complete through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Without this policy, last compacted in 2005, the tourism sector had been stagnant. It took her tenacity and determination to produce a first-class, internationally acceptable tourism policy. She had scheduled its revalidation for November 30, 2024, not knowing that fate would intervene, and she would no longer be Minister by then. However, she had completed several essential tasks that previous ministers had not even attempted.
Mrs. Lola Ade-John might not have attended this day of reckoning if not for Minister Hannatu Musawa, who inherited her role. Musawa insisted on moving the date from October 30 to November 2, ensuring that Lola Ade-John would be present. The Ministry invited everyone who mattered in the tourism sector, from both private and public spheres.
The attendees included Alhaji Munsali Dantata, the first Nigerian to establish Zuma Rock Tourism Village; Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort; Chief Folorunso Coker, Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA); Mrs Nneka Moses,Goge Africa , NIHOTOUR Ag DG , Malam Kabir Malam , Chairman NATOP Board of Trustees , Alhaja Bolaji Mustapha , President NATOP , Immediate Past President NATOP ,Mrs Imeh Udoh , Otunba Ayo Olumoko , Lolo Ngozy Ngoka, Dorothy Duruaku ,Director , International Tourism Desk ,Ministry of Arts, Culture Tourism and Creative Economy , Prof Tunji Afeez , Lagos State University, eminent members from National Economic Summit Group , Abiodun Ojo ,Commissioners of Arts , Culture and Tourism, Osun State , Amb Wale Ojo-Lanre Esq Director General Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism , Barrister Adegboyega , Morakinyo Executive Secretary , Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Mohammed Nasiru Bello , AG Kebbi State Hotels and Tourism Board ,Journalists representatives from various states and tourism bodies.
Mrs. Lola Ade-John arrived, as usual, fresh, composed, and prompt.
Minister Hannatu Musawa fired the first salvo, describing Mrs. Lola Ade-John as a diligent, proactive, and wonderful leader who carried out her duties with efficiency and precision. She openly acknowledged that Mrs Lola Ade- John ‘ had quietly set in motion many innovative projects, without blazing it to the world, and was arguably one of the most hard working Ministers. Today’s event, the National Tourism Policy, is one her efforts, her idea, and her project. She began this rejuvenation, and I’m happy she’s here to see it completed.”
Alhaji Munsali Dantata praised her for understanding and implementing the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach, crucial to advancing tourism. Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye described her as “the most wonderful personality that has ever tended the Tourism sector,” adding, “She is a fantastic soul. The best of the Ministers.”
Nneka Isaac Moses of Goge Africa commended her as a strategist and trailblazer, noting that her short tenure was both exciting and innovative. Otunba Ayo Olumoko described her as selfless, patriotic, and responsible, introducing ideas that would greatly support community tourism—something no other Minister had attempted.
Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, President of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), praised her as an “awesome lady of grace,” ready to go the extra mile. She recalled how Mrs. Ade-John attended NATOP’s AGM in Ilorin and supported Nigeria’s return to the London Travel Market.
To Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre, Ekiti tourism will never forget Lola Ade-John. She was the first Tourism Minister to work through public holidays, visiting Ekiti State during Easter and mobilizing her staff to Abanijorin Rock. She trained 45 tour guides, visited the Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs Resort, and inspired the tourism sector with her incredible drive. Those who removed her have inflicted injury upon the tourism sector and have truncated the phenomenal progress she set in motion.
She was the only Minister who visited eight states in the first six months of her nine-month tenure, and she bridged the public and private sectors. She introduced new policies like community tourism and the Ecogenesis Incubator, revived the national meeting of Commissioners of Tourism, updated the national tourism policy, initiated the Nigeria Tourism Master Plan, and re-established Nigeria’s presence at the London Travel Market after a decade of absence.
Visibly moved, Mrs. Lola Ade-John stood in quiet amazement as the accolades poured in. The guests rose in unison, sang praises, and celebrated her with “For she’s a jolly good fellow…so say all of us.”
It must have been one of her finest moments, as she stands as the only Minister of Tourism removed from office but honored with such enthusiastic recognition from the private and public tourism stakeholders.
God bless her richly. And may God bless Hannatu Musawa for acknowledging and honoring the immediate past Tourism Minister.
