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    NIMASA Makes Case for Designated Marine Protected Areas for fishing

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    The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Dr Bashir Jamoh says collaboration with the Nigerian Navy has played a key role in the achievements of his Administration in terms of maritime security in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

    The NIMASA DG stated this today when he received the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hasssan and a delegation of senior Naval officers in Lagos, Nigeria.

    Jamoh noted that the Nigerian model is now being adopted in other countries, adding that the change in narratives about security in Nigerian waters from the era of over 26 Piracy incidents and negative media exposure, to no single piracy incident in Nigerian waters for almost two years now, is a direct product of effective collaboration of the Maritime Administration with the Nigerian Navy, a relationship he hopes to deepen.

    In his words “Collaboration with the Nigerian Navy is largely responsible for the confidence of stakeholders in the current Management of the Agency. I was in Brazil last week, the South Americans and even our neighbors like Ghana are eager to learn how we arrived at this MARAD-NAVY collaboration yielding successes. Just imagine that the negative media exposure in 2019-2020 about prevalent piracy and criminal activities in Nigerian waters had continued, you can only imagine where Nigeria would have been by now. I am glad we sought and got collaboration with the Navy.

    The NIMASA Helmsman noted that the NIMASA is eager to ensure policy to ensure Nigerians enjoy benefits accruable from the Blue Economy. “The time has come for us to implement our Crude to Blue campaign since 2021. Maritime stakeholders in Nigeria should be ready to repay President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCRF for creating the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry. If we must make headway in Tourism and fishing, security is priority. We will make a case for the designation of Marine Protected Areas particularly for fishing and the Nigerian Navy definitely will play a major role.

    The constitution of an eight-man committee, comprising four each from the Navy and NIMASA was also announced to serve as catalyst for Shift from Crude to Blue, now that Nigeria has a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

    The FOC West, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, noted the need to sustain information sharing between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy. He commended NIMASA Management for the non-kinetic support to the Western Naval Command.

    He also requested NIMASA to support ‘Operation Water Guard’ to combat smuggling around the Badagry channel.

    The FOC West, who had the Commander Deep Blue Commodore OA Akinbami on his entourage, noted that the Deep Blue assets are fully functional and requested for further deepening of information sharing between the Western Naval Command and the NIMASA C4i center.

    He also urged NIMASA to bring to the notice of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the need for Nigeria to take possession of a border island in Badagry, the oil rich Tongeji Island between Nigeria and Benin Republic for maritime tourism in particular. Dr Jamoh described the oil rich island as a low hanging fruit for the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, with an assurance that the Agency will relate with the supervising Ministry for further actions, particularly as regards maritime tourism.

    The closest village to the Tongeji Island in Nigeria is Badagry and it is about 55 minutes by water, while just 5 minutes from Porto Novo. The residents speak French and English and they do their daily shopping from Porto Novo.

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    Nigeria’s tourism sector nears new era with draft national tourism policy validation

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    Nigeria National Tourism Policy, sustainable tourism Nigeria, Hannatu Musawa tourism policy

    Stakeholders gathered in Lagos to validate Nigeria’s Draft National Tourism Policy, focusing on sustainability, community engagement, and digital innovation to elevate Nigeria’s tourism sector to global standards.

     

    Major stakeholders from Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality, and cultural sectors convened in Lagos for a landmark event to validate the Draft National Tourism Policy.

    The gathering, hosted by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), underscores a renewed commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s tourism landscape.

     

    Also read: Governor Fubara begins revitalisation of Port Harcourt tourist beach for Arts, Culture, and Tourism

     

    The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, inaugurated the event, emphasising Nigeria’s immense but underutilised tourism potential.

    Musawa highlighted the country’s rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and the economic possibilities they offer, commending NESG and private partners for their collaboration on a policy not revised since 2005.

    With its focus on sustainability, infrastructure, and community engagement, the revised policy aims to transform the tourism sector, making it a key driver of national economic growth.

    Former Tourism Minister, Lola Ade-John, who contributed to the original policy framework, lauded the ongoing efforts, underscoring the policy’s potential to unlock Nigeria’s vast tourism assets. Ade-John further commended NESG’s role in providing crucial guidance for a progressive tourism policy.

    Representing NESG, Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, Facilitator for the Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Culture, Creative, and Sports Policy Commission, spoke on the significance of a robust tourism framework and public-private partnerships, especially in the post-pandemic landscape.

    He recognised the Federal Government’s commitment to the tourism sector, positioning it as a central pillar for economic recovery.

    The event highlighted extensive contributions from over 200 industry professionals, strengthening the policy’s foundation.

    Lolo Ngozi Ngoka, NESG’s thematic Lead for Tourism and Hospitality Industries, presented the draft policy, outlining key priorities: diversifying Nigeria’s tourism offerings, fostering inclusivity, and advancing digital innovation to elevate Nigeria’s global appeal.

    The validation session featured a panel discussion with industry experts, who assessed the policy’s potential impact.

    Breakout sessions enabled focused conversations on key themes like infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and marketing. Participants shared feedback, which will be integrated into the final policy draft.

    The revised National Tourism Policy is set for completion in November 2024, with continued consultations to ensure an inclusive and impactful framework for Nigeria’s tourism sector.

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    Minister Hannatu Musawa urges Nigerians to support local fashion industry

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    promote Nigerian fashion

    Minister Hannatu Musawa calls on Nigerians to support local fashion to boost cultural pride and economic growth at the African Fashion Festival Vogue.

     

     

    The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has encouraged Nigerians to embrace and support locally made clothing, emphasising its role in fostering national identity and economic growth.

    Speaking at the inaugural African Fashion Festival Vogue (AFFV) on Saturday in Abuja, Musawa highlighted the importance of promoting the Nigerian fashion industry on a global scale and empowering local talent.

     

    Also read: Akwa Ibom: Fashion show to reposition state as top tourism destination debuts

     

    The festival, themed “Thread of Africa: Weaving Fashion and Culture,” was organised by emerging Nigerian designer Firdausi Mohammed and drew notable figures from the fashion industry and diplomatic community.

    Musawa praised the event’s efforts to showcase African designs and provide a platform for designers to reach international audiences, stating, “The platform offers opportunities for showcasing African designers in the fashion industry. It also promotes the Nigerian fashion industry to the world and empowers Northern voices in the sector.”

    Emphasising the global competitiveness of Nigerian fashion, Musawa noted that now is an ideal time to support homegrown products, as the industry possesses the creativity and craftsmanship to succeed internationally.

    She urged Nigerians to take pride in their cultural heritage by choosing locally crafted garments, which play a significant role in both nation-building and economic empowerment.

    The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Retired Maj.-Gen. Sohail Khan, also addressed the gathering, commending the initiative as a celebration of Africa’s vibrant creativity and cultural expression.

    “Fashion is not merely about clothing; it is an expression of identity, culture, and creativity,” Khan remarked. He drew parallels between African and Pakistani traditions in textile craftsmanship, suggesting that these shared cultural assets could inspire future collaboration within the fashion industry.

    Khan highlighted the prominence of Pakistan’s textile sector, which combines centuries-old hand-embroidery techniques with modern advancements in textile technology, making it a global powerhouse.

    Event organiser Firdausi Mohammed shared her vision for AFFV, explaining that the festival aims to showcase Africa’s diverse cultural heritage through fashion.

    Mohammed said, “Our goal is to create a networking platform for designers to spread their wings under one umbrella and to celebrate the beauty of Africa’s cultural diversity through high fashion.”

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the event was attended by both established and emerging designers, diplomats, and fashion enthusiasts.

    The highlight of the evening was a runway show infused with elements of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, symbolising the potential of the African fashion industry to connect people through shared cultural values and artistic expression.

    AFFV’s success underscores the growing interest in promoting African fashion on a global stage and aligns with Musawa’s call for Nigerians to support their local industry, strengthening both cultural pride and economic

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    World twins festival in Igbo-Ora: A tourism goldmine for Oyo State

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    World Twins Festival Igbo-Ora tourism

    The annual World Twins Festival at Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, has the potential to generate over $1 million in revenue and create thousands of jobs, highlighting its untapped economic potential.

     

     

    The annual World Twins Festival in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Nigeria, known globally as the “Land of Twins,” could generate over one million dollars in revenue and create more than 5,000 jobs if its full potential is harnessed, according to festival initiators, Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye.

    As the most famous twins in African tourism, the Oguntoyes expressed their vision to elevate the festival’s profile and economic impact.

     

    Also read: Oyo State Promotes Festival of Twins as Pathway to World Heritage Status

     

    With its 2024 theme, *Twinning for Love, Unity, and National Economic Reorientation*, the festival celebrates Igbo-Ora’s remarkable multiple birth rate, where an estimated 10% of births are twins.

    Drawing attendees from across Nigeria and beyond, the festival offers a unique social and cultural tourism experience, making it an unexploited economic opportunity for the state.

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has backed the festival, pledging to improve infrastructure and enhance its status to meet UNESCO standards.

    Governor Makinde noted the state’s commitment to making Igbo-Ora a globally recognised tourism site, boosting Nigeria’s tourism potential and attracting international visitors.

    The proposed *World Twins Village*, scheduled for unveiling next year, is set to be the first of its kind, establishing Igbo-Ora as a prime cultural destination.

    The village is anticipated to attract a vast array of twins and enthusiasts from around the world, with plans underway to register Igbo-Ora on the UNESCO World Heritage cultural site list.

    A vibrant display of twin culture, the 2024 festival featured twins dressed in matching Ankara and other traditional Yoruba attire, further showcasing Igbo-Ora’s unique cultural identity.

    The event, organised in collaboration with the Igbo-Ora Community Foundation, Ibarapa Central Local Government, and the Oyo State Government, has become a landmark celebration for the Yoruba community and a growing attraction for visitors worldwide.

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