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Amachree Tasks LASG On Tourism Potentials
Father of Tourism in Nigeria, Chief (Dr.) Mike Amaechree has called on the Lagos State Government to explore and exploit the state’s vast tourism potentials as a step towards transforming the state into one of the leading tourism destinations in Africa.
Chief Amaechree who made the call at the just concluded 2018 Akwaaba African Travel Market, held at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, also called on the state government to empower private tourism industry professionals in the state as a means of further expanding its resource base through tourism.
Speaking as a guest during the well-packaged and exciting Lagos Day at the fair, Chief Amaechree commended the state for its vision and efforts to make tourism a key sector in the state’s economy. He declared: “I wish to commend the government of Lagos for its strategic focus on tourism. I think it is a step in the right direction. The tourism vision of Lagos is such that if effectively implemented, would make Lagos a leading tourist centre in Africa”.
The foremost indigenous tourism practitioner in the country noted that Lagos was so blessed in the area of heritage and eco-tourism that the current effort of repositioning it should be sustained.
Chief Amachree also observed that Lagos State had close to 200 kilometres of white sandy beach front which could be transformed into a major tourism asset.
According to Chief Amaechree, who is the father of Nigeria’s tourism, the state, the entertainment capital of Africa, being the birth place of Nollywood and home to some of the biggest music names in Africa, could boost its tourism infrastructure of the state.
He said it was important that the state empowered the private sector to come up with tourism products that would attract Africa and the rest of the world to the state, adding that the duty of government was to create the enabling environment for tourism to thrive, thereby encouraging private sector tourism investors to key into the vision of the state.
Chief Amaechree commended the organizers of the Akwaaba Travel Market for consistently improving on the fair annually, describing it as a positive plank for bringing people from within and outside the Africa continent to Nigeria.
He also said the fair offered opportunity to tourism practitioners in Africa countries to cooperate synergise in the interest of the overall development of tourism in Africa.
The doyen of tourism in Nigeria, promised to undertake a tour across the country for an assessment of the level of tourism activities and the level of involvement by the various state governments with a view to enhancing tourism development in Nigeria.
Among those present at the Lagos Day were the director-general, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Anambra State commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Mrs. Salley Mabnefo, the first deputy president, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung and several others.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.