Lagos State unveils monthly landmark tours to showcase cultural heritage and boost tourism, connecting the diaspora with the city.

In a strategic move to spotlight its cultural heritage and strengthen its tourism sector, the Lagos State Government has introduced a new initiative: monthly landmark tours on both land and water.

The tours aim to promote Lagos as a vibrant hub of culture, transportation, and tourism to a global audience.

Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, announced the initiative during a hosting event for Nigerians in the diaspora and Lagos enthusiasts.

The programme, themed “Lagos Tourism is Rising,” will be held monthly, allowing participants to explore the city’s iconic landmarks.

According to Aregbe, the tours are designed to foster connections between Lagos and the Nigerian diaspora while showcasing the city’s historical and cultural richness.

“Through this initiative, we aim to promote our cultural heritage and strengthen the bond between the diaspora community and Lagos.

It offers an opportunity for everyone to admire scenic views, learn, and appreciate our rich cultural history,” Aregbe said in a statement on Sunday.

The initiative also acknowledges the diaspora community’s significant contributions to Lagos’s economy and cultural celebrations.

The inaugural tour provided an immersive experience, featuring a double-decker bus, a motorbike convoy, and Lagos Ride vehicles that navigated through key areas such as Ikoyi, Lekki, and Lagos Island.

Participants visited renowned landmarks, including:

• The J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History
• Nike Art Gallery

The tour concluded with a dinner, offering music, dance, and engaging conversations, leaving guests with memorable impressions of Lagos.

The event attracted prominent figures, including Khadijat Omotayo, Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs, and Oluwatoyin Atekoja, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos Ministry of Tourism.

This initiative underscores Lagos State’s commitment to tourism as a driver of economic growth. By providing an engaging platform for both locals and visitors, the government hopes to enhance Lagos’s reputation as a premier business and holiday destination.

As the tours continue, they promise to bring global attention to Lagos’s cultural treasures while deepening connections with the Nigerian diaspora and admirers worldwide.

Cross River State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Abubakar Robert Ewa, has passed away at the Arubah Specialist Hospital in Calabar.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Cross River State, Mr. Abubakar Robert Ewa, has passed away. Ewa died on Wednesday evening at the Arubah Specialist Hospital in Calabar, the state capital.

At the time of this report, members of the Cross River State Executive Council and other aides to Governor Bassey Otu had gathered at the hospital to mourn with the bereaved family.

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Ewa had attended the state’s executive council meeting earlier that same day, presided over by Governor Otu, making his sudden passing all the more shocking to those who worked closely with him.

Throughout his career, Ewa served in various important roles in Cross River State, including as Secretary and later Chairman of the Boki Local Government Council.

He also served as Special Adviser on Community Relations and Secretary of the Anti-Deforestation Task Force.

His death has left a significant void in the state’s leadership, and tributes have poured in from colleagues, friends, and members of the public.

The state government and people of Cross River mourn the loss of a dedicated public servant who played an important role in the state’s development.

Governor Douye Diri defends the relocation of Central Park in Yenagoa, highlighting the move as part of his urban renewal plan to modernise the state capital.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has strongly defended the recent relocation of the Central Park in Yenagoa, describing it as a key component of his administration’s urban renewal programme aimed at transforming the state capital into a modern city.

Addressing the state executive council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, Diri explained that the centralisation of motor parks, such as the recent relocation of inter-state commercial transporters to the new state-owned transport terminal at Igbogene, was a crucial step in modernising the city.

He stressed that this development aligns with global standards for urban growth and was necessary to ensure Yenagoa’s evolution into a modern metropolis.

“Centralised motor parks are features of modern cities, which Yenagoa is gradually turning into,” Diri said. He also warned against the practice of touting around the terminal’s vicinity, reiterating that all travellers must go directly into the terminal for vehicle bookings and boarding.

The Governor further emphasised the security benefits of the relocation, stating that the new terminal would help monitor passengers entering the state and curb criminal activities. “We have stopped those who come into Bayelsa to commit crimes with the movement to the new terminal,” he added.

Diri highlighted his pride in the terminal’s success, noting, “I visited the new terminal and saw its beauty. This is what every modern society does.

For those who play politics and are still criticising, I am very sorry for them. Bayelsans are however happy with what we have done.”

The Governor also commented on the peaceful and crime-free Yuletide period, thanking security agencies for their collaborative efforts that ensured safety during the festive season.

He expressed particular appreciation for dancehall star Enetimi Odon (Timaya), who held the annual Timaya Day concert on January 1, which attracted a large crowd of youths and highlighted the tourism potential of Bayelsa.

“From what I saw, I believe there is hope for this country and our state. We all need to do what is right,” Diri reflected on the success of the event.

In addressing an incident of violence in the Agbere community in Sagbama Local Government Area, the Governor praised the leadership for maintaining peace and assured that investigations into the murder of a chief in the area would continue to uncover those responsible.

Diri’s statements underscore his ongoing efforts to modernise Yenagoa and promote security and tourism in Bayelsa, demonstrating a commitment to creating a safer, more developed environment for residents and visitors alike.