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Motherland’s tourism product no 10 beckons: Heed the call, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye urges tourism aficionado

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Tourism icon, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye’s 10th Tourism Product is ‘Motherland Beckons – Heed the Call’ and leverages off the fact that Nigeria and Africa have a huge population living in the diasporas.

He explains that, most people when referring to the Nigerian or African.

Diasporas think only of those originally born in Nigeria or Africa and their first generation children. However, the upsurge of ancestry sites such as ‘23andMe’ and AncestryDNA, which provide insights into individuals’ ethic composition via their DNA, has meant that individuals can now determine their roots in Africa and commence the connection process.

 

Otunba Akinboboye mentions that countries with an active and connected diaspora thrive in this regard. Israel, he says, has a Jewish Diaspora of 8.3 million people. He noted that these people feel a deep connection to and actively support and advocate for their country. They are committed to its development and provide it with both political and financial support.

 

Otunba Akinboboye reminds us that Nigeria has a large Diaspora spread throughout the world. A Diaspora, which is estimated to consist of 17 million people, remitted over US $22 billion to Nigeria during 2022. This translates to an average per person remittance of US$1389 per annum or US $116 per month.

 

The majority of these remittances were designed to provide stipends for family members still living in Nigeria. They therefore represent the portion of the diasporans’ income those individuals could afford to gift or give away. Some amounts were used to build second homes in Nigeria. However, only a small proportion of this money represented arms length investments in industries and infrastructure that would ultimately grow Nigeria’s economy.

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He said that, this is a sharp contrast to India. “In 2022 India’s diaspora population was 18 million (out of a population that exceeds a billion) and they remitted US $111 billion to India. This translates to an average remittance per person of US $6111 per annum or US $509 per month.

 

“While approximately 33% of this money represented stipends paid to family members, a further 33% were gifts and donations while the balance represented arms length investments in bonds, deposits, FRI bank accounts and so on. These remittances obviously had a beneficial impact on that country’s foreign exchange flows and the comparitive strength of its currency.

 

In 2021, 5.18 million non – resident Indians visited India. This suggests approximately 30.4% of all Indians in the diasporas visit India each year. While it is difficult to obtain similar data for Nigeria, the Federal Bureau of Statistics mentions that, in 2021, 2.2 million international ticket holders went through our international airports (in – coming and outgoing). As this number is an aggregate of Nigerian residents, Nigerians in the Diasporas and Non – Nigerians, we can assume that less than 5% of Nigerians in diasporas visit Nigeria each year.

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“When we look at these figures, we realise the importance of creating tourism products that will enhance the connection of those in the diasporas to Nigeria and the continent as a whole.

 

It is with this in mind that Otunba Akinboboye speaks of the need to leverage off our connection with those born in Nigeria that now live abroad, and those ‘Africans ’ that, over 300 years ago were shipped to the Americas and the Caribbean via slave ships, courtesy of the trans – Atlantic slave trade.

 

“These are the people whom we should look forward to welcoming back as tourists, so they can visit and connect with Nigeria and ultimately Africa via cruise ships and aero planes.

 

Otunba Akinboboye emphasizes that Motherland Beckons as a product, is designed to encourage Africans in diaspora to connect with Africa and to learn first hand through visits to the continent, the tremendous opportunities that are available in Africa, and which can be leveraged on to the ultimate benefit of all.

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Nigeria is uniquely placed to provide an entry point to Africa. He refers to the newly constructed deep sea port at Lekki, which provides an ideal landing spot for the giant cruise liners that will form the focal point for transporting those In the diasporas who ‘Heed the Call’ when Africa beckons to them. Lagos tourists can leverage off our international airlines to visit other parts of Africa.

 

By creating a specific tourism product that encourages Africans in the diaspora to visit Nigeria and from there access the rest of Africa, we will begin to create the strong connections required for an engaging diaspora.

 

Such diaspora will then be determined to uplift the continent and ensure that it takes its rightful place on the world stage. Their commitment in this regard will be based on the understanding that a developed continent uplifts not just Africans but the perception of Africans and people of colour throughout the world .

 

Otunba Akinboboye has promised that in the coming weeks. he will speak on other Tourism Products that are linked to this product and which evolve when the Motherland Calls and Africans Heed the Call.

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VIDEO: Prince Harry visits Kaduna, pledges support for wounded soldiers

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The Duke of Sussex Prince Harry has visited Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as well as soldiers who were wounded in action as part of his activities while in Nigeria.

The prince who arrived at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna on Friday afternoon was accompanied by some aides and top nigerian military officers.

 

While welcoming the prince, Governor Sani commended him for identifying with the Nigerian Armed Forces and supporting soldiers who were wounded in action.

The governor noted that such visits would go a long way in lifting the spirits of the brave and resilient officers and soldiers.

According to him, Prince Harry’s visit is evidence of his commitment to inspiring recovery, supporting rehabilitation, and broadening respect for the Nigerian soldiers.

On his part, Prince Harry said he is in Nigeria to use the Invictus Games which he founded 10 years ago to put smiles on the faces of wounded Nigerian soldiers and their families.

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In line with traditional hospitality, Governor Sani presented some gift items to Prince Harry and also decorated him in a traditional Hausa attire.


From the Kaduna State Government House, Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

 

Journalists were not allowed into the hospital wards, but the Director of Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau explained that the visit would impact on the lives of the wounded soldiers and their families.

 

Nigeria is the first African country to join in the Invictus Games held in Germany last year with ten participants from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.

 

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Tinubu receives Egyptian, Pakistan envoys, seeks collaboration to end violent extremism

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President Bola Tinubu on Friday received ambassadors from Pakistan, Greece, and Egypt posted to Nigeria.

 

While accepting their letters of credence at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu also sought the collaboration of the envoys with the Nigerian government to stop terrorism.

 

Speaking with Sohail Khan, the high commissioner of Pakistan, the president said there is a need for global cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism.

 

“We must do more to stop extremists. We need to enhance our collaboration and exchange of ideas and knowledge in these areas,” Tinubu told Khan, who is also a retired major-general.

 

“As a government, we will keep an open-door policy with countries and development partners on enhancing cooperation in security, economy, education, and the information and communication technology sector, where the minister is doing very well. How can we improve our bilateral relationship? We must do more.”

 

Tinubu discussed the security situation in the Sahel with Mohamed Ahmed, the Egyptian ambassador.

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The president acknowledged Egypt’s efforts in attempting to broker a truce in Gaza and stressed the importance of stability in the region.

 

Tinubu said Nigeria and Egypt have collaborated on key international priorities, including promoting regional peace, security, and stability, since establishing diplomatic relations in 1961 and expressed optimism for stronger bilateral relations.

In a separate meeting with Athanasios Kotsionis, ambassador of Greece, Tinubu sought firmer economic ties with the European country.

 

“The economic situation in Africa and Europe is still very unbalanced. We should build on the opportunities from our challenges and strengthen relations between the two countries,” Tinubu said.

 

“What I expect is an improvement in the relationship between both countries, and I look forward to us working on that.”

 

The president said his administration is about renewed hope, adding that the country will continue to play its role as a stabiliser on the continent.

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JAMB 2024: 174 Deeper Life school students score above 300

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The management of Deeper Life High School have taken to social media to celebrate the exploits of 174 of their students who scored 300 marks and above in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

 

The students scored between 300 and 362 marks out of possible 400.

 

The feat was disclosed in a Facebook post by the school on Friday, May 10, 2024.

 

Despite JAMB’s announcement that only around 0.5% of candidates nationwide scored 300 and above in the 2024 UTME, an astounding one hundred and seventy-four (174) students of DLHS exceeded expectations with flying colours by scoring 300 and above,” the school said in the post.

 

In another post, the school shared a video with the caption, “Behold the DLHS 2024 UTME heroes and heroines; one hundred and seventy four (174) students who scored 300 and above! Congratulations to the Champions.”

According to information from the school’s Facebook page, this year’s highest scorer, Ayeyemi Godsgift Ibukunoluwa, achieved a total score of 362 out of a possible 400 marks.

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Recall that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Monday, April 29, released the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

 

The board announced that 1,402,490 candidates out of 1,842,464 failed to score 200 out of 400 marks.

 

It also announced the decision not to disclose the names of the highest-scoring candidates in the just-concluded UTME.

 

The statement partly reads, “It is common knowledge that the Board has, at various fora, restated its unwillingness to publish the names of its best-performing candidates, as it considers its UTME as only a ranking examination on account of the other parameters that would constitute what would later be considered the minimum admissible score for candidates seeking admission to tertiary institutions.

 

“Similarly, because of the different variables adopted by respective institutions, it might be downright impossible to arrive at a single or all-encompassing set of parameters for generating a list of candidates with the highest admissible score, as gaining admission remains the ultimate goal.

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Hence, it might be unrealistic or presumptive to say a particular candidate is the highest scorer given the fact that such a candidate may, in the final analysis, not even be admitted.”

 

 

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