Travels

WORLD TOURISM DAY: Minister Says Covid Vaccine Nationalism Hinders Restart of Tourism

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said ‘COVID-19 vaccine nationalism’ is hindering the efforts being made to restart the tourism sector, following the devastating blow it suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.


The Minister stated this in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, on Monday in his address at the 44th Edition of the United Nations #WorldTourismDay2021 celebration, with the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.”

He said the tourism sector, which is people-driven, can only open up effectively and contribute to economic growth when the people are adequately protected from COVID-19, adding that ‘vaccine nationalism’ has heightened the inequality and inequity in the global vaccine distribution system.

“Today, rich countries are able to procure vaccines for their own citizens through direct agreement with pharmaceutical companies; while low and middle income countries are lagging, unable to act as speedily as rich countries in securing the quantity of vaccines they need or unable to afford to pay for any at all. Whereas some rich countries are already talking of third booster shots, many low and middle-income countries have not even given one shot to their citizens.

“Added to this is the restriction placed on the citizens from certain countries by the rich nations. These restrictions, made possible by the use of ‘vaccine passports’, as well as the low level of vaccination in the low and middle income countries due to ‘vaccine nationalism’ that has seen rich countries mop up available vaccines, are capable of thwarting the efforts to restart tourism,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

He therefore called in the rich countries of the world to retrace their steps and embrace a collective and equitable global strategy for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing, procurement, and distribution, stressing that they must also stop ineffective nationalistic disposition in COVID-19 responses.

The Minister added that COVID-19 response should be science-driven, with experts in epidemiology, virology and the social sciences (not politicians) taking the lead in devising and implementing science-based strategies to reduce the risks that the pandemic poses to the most vulnerable across the globe and to reduce transmission of this novel virus.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that tourism remains a sector of hope, providing opportunities for empowerment and entrepreneurship for people and education. I enjoin all stakeholders to place inclusiveness at the centre of their strategies in order to develop a safe, unique and overwhelming experience for visitors,” he said.

In reference to the theme of the World Tourism Day 2021, Alhaji Mohammed said inclusive growth deals with policies that allow people from different groups; gender, ethnicity, religion and across sectors; agriculture, manufacturing, etc to contribute to and benefit from economic growth.

Dignitaries at the event include the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Col. Samaila Yombe (Rtd); Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr. Ifeoma Ayanwutaku, and management staff of the ministry; Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Balarabe Shehu Illelah, and the DG of National Commission for Museums and Monuments Abba Isa Tijani.

Others are the DG of Nigerian Institute for Cultural Orientation Mohammed Ado Yahuza and DG of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Nura Kangiwa; Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board Adebayo Thomas; DG of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation Folorunsho Coker; and General Manager, National Theatre, Sunday Ododo.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business Culture Economy

Cellulant Corporation Taps Technology to Block Wastages in Agric Value Chain in Africa

post-image

Cellulant Corporation (Cellulant.com) – the pan-African technology company – has empowered Africa’s agriculture sector with the hosting of its inaugural partners’ summit in Lagos, Nigeria and the assurance to leverage on technology to help block inefficiency and wastages in Africa’s Agric value chain courtesy of its improved payment and marketplace solutions, Tingg and Agrikore.

 

 

Tingg, is a payment solution accessible to everyone, while Agrikore, is an innovative platform built on blockchain technology and connects are simplified and connected platforms for all players in the agriculture sector in over 120 African countries.

 

The summit themed, ‘Technology for Transformation: Connecting Everyone to Nigeria’s $50bn Agribusiness Opportunity & Creating Jobs for Africa’s Youth was attended by development partners including the African Development Bank, Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility (SANEF), Flutterwave and Deposit Money Banks and many food processing companies.

 

In a presentation entitled ‘Payments Laying Down the Foundation for Connecting Africa’,…

Read More
Agriculture Business

The ethics of branding: a critical tool for security, traceability, and animal welfare

post-image

By Greg Talbot, CEO, Tal-Tec

Branding livestock has been an essential practice in South Africa and the world for over 6,000 years. Serving as a means of identifying and tracking livestock. In South Africa, where livestock theft is a persistent challenge, branding remains a key tool in protecting farmers from significant financial losses. With the rise in stock theft, the debate around animal identification methods continues, balancing security, traceability, and animal welfare concerns.

The importance of branding in livestock security

Livestock theft in South Africa is a growing concern, costing farmers an estimated R1.4 billion each year. This criminal activity threatens the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in provinces like the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the North West. In response, the South African government implemented the Animal Identification Act in 2002, requiring livestock owners to register identification marks for their animals. This…

Read More
Business Education

NNPC Boss, Mele Kyari, Honored with NMGS Distinguished Ambassador Award

post-image

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, has been conferred with the prestigious Distinguished Ambassador Award by the Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of Nigeria’s energy and extractive industries.

The award was presented to Kyari, a Fellow of the NMGS, during the Dinner and Awards Night held at the end of the Society’s 60th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Abuja on Wednesday. The event brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to celebrate excellence and innovation in the mining, energy, water, and construction sectors.

NMGS Conference Highlights Transformation & Innovation

The two-day conference, themed “Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water, and…

Read More
Business Culture

Chibueze Iwuoha: Balancing Passion and Profession in 2024

post-image

In a remarkable tale of passion and perseverance, Chibueze Iwuoha, a Marketing Analytics Manager at Guinness Nigeria, successfully carved out a space for himself in the music scene while excelling in his corporate career. His journey from a private music enthusiast to a recognized DJ in Lagos’ entertainment scene is a testament to the power of determination and self-belief.

For years, music had been a central part of Iwuoha’s life, but DJing remained a personal passion he never fully explored. That changed at the beginning of 2024 when his colleagues at Guinness Nigeria encouraged him to take his talent more seriously. Their unwavering support ignited a long-dormant fire, inspiring him to embrace his love for music while continuing to drive impact in the corporate world.

“By day, I was providing insights, solving problems, and driving impact in the workplace. By night and on weekends, I was behind the…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Energy

Nigerian Women in Oil and Gas Leadership Development Programme Records Resounding Success

post-image

The second edition of the Nigerian Women in Oil and Gas Leadership Development Programme has been hailed as a major success, reinforcing the growing demand for leadership training among female professionals in the sector. The programme, sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and facilitated by Lagos Business School (LBS), witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 300 applications submitted within just 72 hours, forcing an early closure of the application window.

Alero Onosode, HR Executive, Business and Leadership Coach, and Diversity & Inclusion advocate, described the programme as inspiring, highlighting its impact on female executives in the oil and gas industry. “I was privileged to meet 35 exceptional female executives as they sharpened their leadership skills and strategic focus. Their drive and the impact they are already making in the sector are highly encouraging,” Onosode stated.

The intensive programme provided participants with the critical skills…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Finance

CBN Governor Advocates Stronger Economic Ties at AlUla Economic Policy Conference

post-image

 The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has called for stronger economic ties between Nigeria, the Middle East, and the Nigerian diaspora community in the region. His remarks came during the inaugural Economic Policy Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Regional Office in Riyadh.

Speaking on the theme “Policy Challenges Amid Structural Shifts in the World Economy,” Governor Cardoso highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and the CBN’s unwavering commitment to macroeconomic stability. He emphasized the importance of policy consistency and long-term resilience in fostering sustainable economic growth.

A key focus of his address was the role of…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Education

Peter Obi Visits Indonesia, Advocates Learning from Global Success Stories

post-image

 Nigerian presidential hopeful Peter Obi has emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt proven development strategies, drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s economic and social progress. Obi recently embarked on a five-day study trip to Indonesia, engaging with top stakeholders on critical areas such as security, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s economic trajectory compared to Indonesia, Obi highlighted the stark contrast in progress over the past two decades. In 2004, Indonesia’s per capita income stood at $1,136, slightly ahead of Nigeria’s $963. However, by 2024, Indonesia’s per capita income has surged to approximately $5,000, while Nigeria’s remains at around $1,000. Likewise, Indonesia has improved its Human Development Index (HDI) from medium to high, while Nigeria still lags in the low category.

“Indonesia now has 98% health insurance coverage, while Nigeria has less than 10%,” Obi pointed out, emphasizing the urgency of adopting…

Read More
Agriculture Business Culture Economy News Opinion

Ogbo Awoke Ogbo Champions Organic Farming with Uncle Ogbo’s Probiotic Fufu

post-image

In a bold commitment to clean, chemical-free food, Ogbo Awoke Ogbo, business owner coach and CEO of Uncle Ogbo Probiotic Fufu, has detailed the rigorous journey behind the creation of his organic fufu. From planting to packaging, the process is a labor of love, dedication, and unwavering commitment to purity.

“The path to creating Uncle Ogbo’s Probiotic Fufu™ is not for the faint of heart,” Ogbo stated. “From the start, we vowed to plant cassava without a single drop of herbicide, pesticide, or synthetic fertilizer.”

The journey, as he describes it, is grueling—navigating unpredictable weather, coordinating with local farmhands, and making numerous trips to the farm in his Ford 250 turbo Lariat diesel. Each cassava root is handpicked, peeled, and fermented using lime fruit for two weeks before undergoing a weeks-long sun-drying process. The final steps—blending and packaging—are completed with precision, ensuring the product remains 100% organic.

Read More