Business

Tour Operator Wants RSG To Develop Tourism

Published

10 years ago

May 16, 2016

L-R: Capt. Abdullarahim, Government of Dubai Immigration, Mrs Stella Obinwa, Regional Director, Africa, Dubai Tourism Board, Mr Talal Al Suwaidi, Manager, Dubai Tourism Board, Mr Hamad Al Shirawi, Assistant Manager, Dubai Tourism Board, after the Dubai Tourism Workshop at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, on Friday

The National Association
of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), has called on the present administration in Rivers State to develop some tourism sites in the state to boost the economy of the state.
The National Chairman of NANTA, Steven Isokriari, who stated this shortly after the Dubai Tourism Workshop in Port Harcourt commended the Regional Director of Dubai Tourism Board, Mrs Stell Fubara Obinwa, who is from the state for bringing Dubai Tourism to Rivers and other states in the country.
Isokriari also commended Dubai Tourism Board for taking some travel agencies in the country on a trip to Dubai last month, stating that the tour has created more awareness to Nigerian tourists and has inspired agents to redouble their efforts.
According to him,’’ We are happy because Tourism arrow head is from Rivers State. She has added Rivers State to Dubai Tourism. It is now left for us, the travel agencies who were at the forum to sell Dubai’’.
“It is not by selling Dubai to traders, but sell Dubai to those who really want to get out of the hustling and bustling nature of Nigeria. Sell Dubai to those who want to rest, having worked hard for some time in their various offices. Dubai has everything it takes for holidays’’, he said.
The tour operator however said Dubai is supposed to be desert but the government of that country has been able to develop it today and makes it attractive to investors and others round the world.
“Today Dubai has one of the biggest aquariums standing on the ground. Dubai is where you have a hot desert, and you have escaping hall, coming out with ice on the ground. The people have spent their money wisely and I want to believe that if River State is able to emulate such, so that the state can attract foreigners who will come and spend their money and all the businesses, the state will grow.
“Before now, Port Harcourt was a place where Lagosians come to spend weekends but today, such attractions are no more because of insecurity’’, he noted.
He urged the present governments from the top to the states to forget party politics and change Nigeria to a better place.
“We came to Presidential Hotel to enjoy Dubai Tourism, when do we go outside Nigeria and sell Nigerian tourism. Our tourist sites are better than what other countries have, but we have successfully failed to develop and harness them’’, he noted.
He regretted that the nation has problems of shrink balance, our monies are going out, our dollars going out, none seem to be coming in.
The NANTA boss condemned merging tourism ministry with ministry of information, stating that tourism should be alone because of its potentials in generating revenue and developing the country.
Isokriari disclosed that tourism alone can employ millions of Nigerians if properly harnessed, stressing that his association alone has over a million in its employments.
According to him, “we have a thousand six hundred agencies under us NANTA, and each must employ people.

Business

Fidelity Bank To Empower Women With Sustainable Entrepreneurship Skills, HAP2.0

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women-empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0).

According to the report, the programme is designed to equip women with practical, income?generating skills and structured pathways to entrepreneurship.

Accordingly, the HAP 2.0 will build on the success of its inaugural edition held in 2023.

During media chat with journalists to herald the launch of HAP 2.0, the Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, explained that the initiative has been enhanced to deliver greater impact.

He said HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 reflects their commitment to continuous improvement, having evaluated feedback from the first edition, they have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programmes to ensure that women acquire not just skills, but sustainable economic opportunities.

Mr Ede, who said the programme is guided with real?world learning, also said that participants will undergo intensive apprenticeship training under reputable institutions and industry experts across selected fields such as hair styling, shoe making, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration.

Additionally, he said HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 goes beyond skills acquisition by offering participants a wide range of business advisory services.

These include business and financial literacy training, mentorship support throughout the apprenticeship journey, access to Fidelity Bank’s women?focused and SME financial solutions, as well as guidance on business formalisation and growth strategies.

Emphasizing the bank’s vision further, Ede said: “By integrating structured mentorship with entrepreneurial development, Fidelity Bank is positioning women not just as trainees, but as future employers, innovators, and economic contributors within their communities.

This aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper”.

It is noteworthy that interested participants are encouraged to indicate their interest by visiting https://bit.ly/Apprenticeshipbyherfidelity.

It is important to note that Fidelity Bank Plc is ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, with a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, with 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

It is reported that the Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.

By: Nkpemenyie mcdominic, Lagos

Business

President Tinubu Approves Extension Ban On Raw Shea Nut Export

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for a further one year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on (Information and Strategy) who disclosed this on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 stressed the Federal Government remains committed to policies that promote inclusive growth, local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive participant in global agricultural value chains.

The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing industrial development, strengthening domestic value addition, and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The ban aims to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of Nigerian exports anchored on value-added products.

To further these objectives, President Tinubu has authorised the two Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate the implementation of a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

He also approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the withdrawal of all waivers allowing the direct export of raw shea nuts.

The President directed that any excess supply of raw shea nuts should be exported exclusively through the NCX framework, in accordance with the approved guidelines.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

Crisis Response: EU-project Delivers New Vet. Clinic To Katsina Govt.

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

A Non – Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mercy Corps, has handed over a newly constructed Veterinary Clinic and a rehabilitated structure in Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA), to the Katsina State Government.

The project, which included a 20,000-litre capacity upgraded solar-powered borehole, was executed under the European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) project.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Wednesday, the Commissioner for Livestock and Animal Husbandry in Kastina State, Prof Ahmed Bakori, commended Mercy Corps and its partners on such commitment to support peace and development in the state.

While praising the state government for restoring peace and stability, the said project would improve livestock services and the welfare of farmers who depend on animal health services for livelihood.

Bakori buttressed that improved security in the state had enabled development partners to implement meaningful interventions in communities affected earlier.

He said, “Recently, Gov. Dikko Radda was in South Africa to explore strategies for boosting livestock production and strengthening the livestock value chain in line with the government’s economic development agenda.”

In his remarks, Mercy Corps Senior Programme Manager, Mr Philip Ikita, expressed satisfaction on the timely and successful implementation of the project in Danmusa.

He stated that although Mercy Corps began its operations in the state in 2023, security challenges, had initially prevented the organisation from accessing some areas, including Danmusa.

Ikita said that the project would improve access to essential services, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to sustaining peace in the community.

“The project involves the upgrade of a veterinary clinic from a two room structure into a fully functional six office facility, embarked on to strengthen livestock healthcare services in the area.

“The programme builds on the success of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation (CMCR) project and seeks to promote long-term peace and stability in Northwest Nigeria.

“It works across 48 communities in Zamfara and Katsina States, addressing the root causes of conflict, enhancing community resilience, and strengthening socio-economic recovery,” he said.

Also, the District Head of Danmusa, Ahmadu Abubakar, expressed appreciation to Mercy Corps and its partners for the intervention, describing the projects as timely and beneficial.

Earlier, the Chairman of Danmusa LGA, Ibrahim Na-Mama, represented by his Deputy, Musa Muhammad, expressed appreciation for the projects, assuring that the council would support efforts to safeguard them.