On World Tourism Day

by Fred Nwaozor

Today, the world over is celebrating the 2021 World Tourism Day. The remarkable event is commemorated annually on September 27. The theme of this year's commemoration is "Tourism for inclusive growth". Tourism has conspicuously emerged as one of the major Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) sources across the global community, and is fast becoming the most highly-rated factor for societal development. At its third session held in Torremolinos, Spain in 1979, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly mandated its Member States to observe September 27 each year as the World Tourism Day having reached a unanimous resolution.

The day was chosen to coincide with an important historic milestone in the world’s tourism sector, which is the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Tourism Statutes on 27th September 1970. The first commemoration of the World Tourism Day took place in 1980. It suffices it to say that this year’s anniversary marks the 42nd edition of the laudable annual event. Tourism has over the years showcased its huge capacity in the area of job creation and human capital development, yet it’s often undervalued. Survey reliably reveals that tourism presently provides about 15 per cent of the entire world’s jobs. In spite of the above revelation, it’s appalling that the tourism sector of most countries across the global community, particularly on the African continent, is currently moribund or forgotten. It’s noteworthy that observing a beautifully-looking environment remained one of the prime desires of every sane being. This is the reason every able-bodied man works assiduously to ensure that his or her immediate surroundings appear enticingly. Tourism as an area of life or human endeavour is a sector that has over the decades pays an optimum attention to how attractive our surroundings look. This makes the area to be globally recognized. Concisely, tourism is the business activity connected with provision of accommodation, entertainment, and other hospitable services for people who are visiting a place for pleasure. In other words, a tourist can be described as a person who is travelling or visiting a certain locality for the sake of pleasure.

Tourism has been proven to be an outstanding industry that can guarantee absolute relaxation for mankind irrespective of background. This implies that no one is exempted when it calls for the essence of tourism among mankind. In the past, our various heritages were being used by our ancestors as a means of entertaining themselves, and their guests. Presently, the tourism industry has shown that these endowments can equally be utilized as business venture by upgrading them to international standard. Noting the positive impact of the tourism industry the world over, it is of no need reiterating that it has contributed massively to the socio-economic development of most nations in existence. Analysts are of the view that the industry currently represents about eleven (11%) of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and that it is a key revenue sector for developing and emerging economies. Indeed, tourism plays a very vital role in building blocks of a more sustainable future for all, which is community development. Above all, it is widely acknowledged for its capacity to respond to global challenges. In view of this, there is an urgent need for Nigeria and her likes to follow suit to ensure that the world tourism industry that helps to foster global unity and complete rest of mind is granted a preferential treatment at all cost. Nigeria can encourage the commendable crusade by ensuring that her countless socio-cultural resources are optimally rejuvenated. This proposed measure would not only help to encourage the world tourism industry, but would go a long way to elevate the country’s Gross National Product (GNP), thus strengthening her ongoing sagging economy. More so, as the world is fast embracing technology and its numerous benefits, it’s imperative for the concerned authorities to consider how to aptly deploy tech measures towards harnessing and showcasing the country’s countless tourism potentials.

To actualize this, we need to first acknowledge the impact of tech on our various activities. Then, we can proceed in engaging capable hands that truly understand the nitty-gritty of the said tool with a view to inculcating it into the sector in question. Hence, the cognoscenti must be well consulted for the way forward. Also, we must reconsider the country’s policy direction in the area of tourism to ensure that tech measures are duly enshrined therein. Nigeria as an independent state is made up of over two hundred and fifty ethnic groups, and each of these groups is tremendously blessed with various socio-cultural endowments. These cultural resources including dancing, masquerading, dressing, hunting, fishing, wrestling, and molding of sculptures, just to mention but a few, if well harnessed, would definitely help to revive the nation’s tourism sector, thereby boosting her socio-economic ego. It’s worth noting that the timing of the World Tourism Day is appropriate, because it comes at the end of the high season in the Northern hemisphere and at the beginning of the season in the Southern hemisphere, when tourism is of topical interest to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. The UN Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held in 2012 emphasized that well-designed and appropriately managed tourism can make a significant contribution to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The then Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon further highlighted that tourism, which remained one of the world’s largest economic sectors, was specially well-placed to promote environmental sustainability, green-growth, and human struggle against climate change through its relationship with energy. Ever since its inception, the World Tourism Day is being celebrated to foster awareness among the global community on the essence of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The celebration seeks to highlight tourism potential as regards promotion of the SDGs, as well as how it addresses some of the most pressing challenges the global society is currently faced with.

So, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the remarkable day, we are all expected to contribute our quota toward ensuring that our respective environments or surroundings become globally recognized as attractive and human friendly localities, so that, generations yet unborn would live to remember that an attractive environment is a society we all yearn for. The truth remains that everywhere in Nigeria bears tourism potentials, thus all that is required of the government, among other concerned stakeholders, is to swing into action headlong with the sole aim of doing the needful. The authorities are, therefore, encouraged to revisit the existing policies guiding the country’s tourism sector with a view to making amends where need be. Apt policy formulation and implementation as well as formidable maintenance culture are other inevitable factors. It’s high time we quit retrogressive debates and discussions regarding tourism towards focusing solely on progressive ones. Mind you, the goal cannot be aptly and holistically actualized if we continue to jettison tech value. Think about it!

UZODINMA AND ENDLESS VERIFICATION OF IMO PENSIONERS

by Fred Nwaozor 

The last time I checked, a certain set of individuals in Imo State – the Eastern Heartland – was apparently confused and stranded, hence needed to be rescued by well-meaning Imolites. The troubling and disturbing aspect of the aforementioned scenario is that the people in question are invariably referred to – by all and sundry – as ‘Senior Citizens’.

This topic is indeed discussing the teeming Imo pensioners whose story as a group has ostensibly become so ugly, pitiable, appalling and touching, to anyone who truly loves humanity, and the survival of the human race in general. 

These retirees, otherwise known as senior citizens, have unabated been subjected to ridicule, penury and unspeakable anguish by those who are constitutionally meant to protect them, or cater for their collective welfare. It’s not anymore news that since the assumption of duty of Senator Hope Uzodinma as the Governor of Imo State, it has remained verification upon verification of these innocent retirees. Till date, most of them have not been paid a penny since the emergence of this administration, yet they do not presently know what their fate entails. The affected ones as regards non-payment of pensions, and even backlog of arrears, are currently requested to once again tender their particulars and retirement documents to the concerned government offices such as the Office of the State Head of Service and the Owerri Municipal LGA Headquarters, as the case may be. This would be the umpteenth time they would be subjected to such form of slavery in a State where they are ordinarily supposed to be safeguarded and duly catered for. Each day, the affected pensioners wallow in agony, thus reportedly end up cursing the government and its officials. You ought not to apportion blame to any of them if they eventually cast spell on a government that’s apparently playing pranks on their persons.

If I do not have Imo pensioners in my ancestral home, I would have remained sceptical over the myriad of wails and complaints of the retirees, because on a daily basis, the government claims that no pensioner in the State is being owed by the present administration. My parents, who are still very much alive and hearty, are Imo pensioners. It suffices to say that I’m gathering my information from the horse’s mouth. In other words, I’m not exaggerating. My dearest Mum was paid last in April, 2020 while my Dad is yet to receive a kobo from the Uzodinma-led government. Still, one so-called media aide would shamelessly come out to misinform Imolites – and the public at large – on the true state of the matter. More painful is that, whenever they are being asked to re-submit their valid documents, the government or those in authority would never consider how they could manage to cover enormous distance towards appearing at the designated offices in Owerri, the State Capital city. They would even be requested to include their bank Statement of Account, not minding that such a document requires charges from the financial institution. How can an account that is showing red alert be able to service such charges? Knowing full well that virtually every salary account is a Current Account, most of the balances in these pensioners’ accounts are in minus form owing to the unending sub-charges occasioned by the various commercial banks in Nigeria. The short-lived Emeka Ihedioha-led administration took cognizance of this very aspect, as mentioned above. This was the reason it ensured that any retiree who was critically ill or bedridden was captured at their respective homes. Every Imolite was a living witness to this particular arrangement. None of those retirees who were in sick bed was allowed to cover any iota of distance for he/she to be captured or verified during the short reign of Chief Ihedioha. However, Ihedioha wasn’t a saint, therefore I’m not trying to eulogize or pour encomium on him, neither am I a fan to his person. Come to think of it; during his reign, it took the administration over four months to electronically verify the pensioners and none of them was paid the arrears owed them. Chief Ihedioha assumed office in May, 2019 but the retirees started earning their pensions between September and October same year. No one was paid for the months when the verification exercise was conducted; that is, between May and August, 2019. They were even meant to be paid the arrears owed by the Rochas Okorocha-led administration, because by law, government remains a continuum. This is to assert that, it has seemingly been a deceit all-along by our so-called political leaders. You cannot owe these old people and still wish and pray to be happy or live a happy life. It’s worth noting that if their blessing isn’t with you, either as a person or entity, you will never excel in your endeavours; hence, you will continue to float like a flying boat. It is more disheartening to hear that the national leadership of the Nigerian pensioners called on the Governor few weeks back and ridiculously appreciated the State’s number-one citizen for clearing the arrears of pensions owed the Imo retirees. How did we get here? In the advance society, or western world, the senior citizens are being pampered by their governments. In such a clime, everything about them is being taken care of by those in positions of authority. But here, the reverse is completely the case; they are even apparently seen as ‘witches and wizards’. Sometimes, my beloved Mum would keep malice with me, saying I’m very close to the government, hence sees me as one of those owing her. Of course, you shouldn’t blame the old woman whose case has obviously become so pathetic. Ever since she meritoriously retired, she is yet to receive a dime as gratuity, and she served the State as a Health personnel. I pray my mum won’t curse me someday, believing am part of the government that doesn’t want her to live or stay alive. I’ve taken time to explain to her that Fred Nwaozor has creditably done his bit; just that the government is acting adamantly and seems lackadaisical. I’m waiting for those who have reportedly been receiving their pensions to come and tell me their cheering stories. In fact, my mum wouldn’t like to hear – or even overhear – such a story, because that would definitely add more salt to her injury. I’m equally reliably informed that some of the Imo workers are passing through similar ordeal. The truth is that, we can’t continue to rob Peter to pay Paul. There are no two ways about it. At this juncture, I plead with Governor Uzodinma to come clean with a view to holistically doing the needful towards averting the wrath of the Almighty. I candidly mean well for him and his administration, thus more interested in constructive criticism. He might have been misinformed by his allies and sycophants, hence the compelling need for the Governor to move closer to the facts sheet. Think about it!

UZODINMA AND BUHARI’S ‘WORKING VISIT’ TO IMO

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, Imo was conspicuously at it again, hence needs to be re-examined by all-concerned for the good of all. It’s not anymore news that President Muhammadu Buhari was in Imo, precisely on 9th September 2021, on a ‘working visit’ in response of an invitation by Governor Hope Uzodinma. Amidst the scare, uncertainty and scepticism emanating from various quarters that greeted the preparations towards the D-day, the President alongside his allies graciously arrived the Eastern Heartland contrary to earlier speculation or notion that he wouldn’t come in person. Prior to his arrival, several Imolites were apparently of the view that the President was going to send a representative to the State. It suffices to assert that the visit of the country’s number-one citizen to Imo was unarguably a great surprise and shock to most citizens of the State. It was like the Governor used a certain charm on him, because a few reasons or factors would had made the President to either suspend the proposed visitation, or send a representative as opined by countless individuals. First, there was a myriad of security threats from different corners of Imo and beyond. This incident made the State seemed unsafe for human existence. The threat in question obviously made many Imolites to sit at their respective homes on the D-day. Secondly, in the contemporary Nigerian society, Buhari as a leader does not ostensibly have or maintain a good name, not just in Imo but in most parts of the country. This, perhaps occasioned by fathomless insecurity happenings across the country, has made Mr. President to drastically lose most of his fans, if not allies. This is to say that the coming of President Buhari to Imo, contrary to misinformed insinuations, signifies that Governor Uzodinma undoubtedly maintains a cordial and unflinching relationship with the President at the moment. The governor is indeed an enigma. Lest I digress; this topic is majorly interested in the reason President Buhari was invited for a ‘working visit’ to the State. What was really on ground that needed the revered presence of the president? If the President had come for a political reason, or activity, it wouldn’t have generated unnecessary dusts as being observed. But we were told he came for a working visit. It’s noteworthy that the President reportedly came to commission “some completed key projects” in the State. Then, one may wish to ask; what projects actually called for the visit? We were told that the ‘key projects’ included: first phase of the Naze-Nekede-Ihiagwa road, Egbeada by-pass road, and the renovated EXCO Chambers at the Government House, among others. First phase of Naze-Ihiagwa road..? I don’t understand this a bit. If you do, please interpret for me. Truth be told, this is very far from my understanding. I heard for the first time that a particular phase of an ongoing project could be commissioned. Come to think of it, is the road construction actually in progress? There’s absolutely nothing our politicians won’t teach us. But let’s be serious about this. How could a certain segment of a project be commissioned? Worse still, the road in question remains impassable. Such a gesture was really uncalled for, to assert the least. As if that wasn’t enough, we equally learnt a renovated building at the Government House was commissioned by Presdent Buhari. The commissioning of the EXCO Chambers, now rebranded as ‘New EXCO Chambers’, was another laughable move by the amiable Governor. One might wonder what exactly was going through the mind of the President when he was carrying out the ‘official assignment’. Meanwhile, the president had been there before now, so he ought to have noticed that those structures had been there prior to the emergence of the present administration in the State. But, can a renovated structure be commissioned? I’m still awaiting a candid answer to this sincere enquiry. However, I don’t want to discuss what resulted in the renovation of any building in the Government House a few years after its construction, because I’m not unaware that virtually all projects executed under the reign of Senator Rochas Okorocha as Imo Governor were obviously substandard and a slap to the State. Then, talking about the by-pass road at Egbeada, how many kilometres is the road? I have been resident in Owerri for almost two decades now, hence conversant with every part of the capital city including undergrounds. I was reliably informed that the ‘by-pass’ was named in honour of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu. The rest is history. It would be pertinent to acknowledge that I’m not here to tender criticisms or what have you, but to set the records straight. In my usual way and style, I’ve never been party to unnecessary criticisms; rather, my submissions have hitherto been objective and constructive, and nothing more. Therefore, I’m not writing or analysing for any politician to eulogize my pen. I love, cherish and adore this State so much, hence truly want people piloting her affairs to succeed. If they succeeded, the success would surely be for all well-meaning Imolites both home and abroad. In other words, my interest remains Imo, her belongings and wellbeing. So, don’t get it twisted. We have been deceived so much by our politicians. It’s, therefore, high time they desisted from indulging in activities just to score cheap political goals. Time has really come for us, as a people, to get it right. Overtime, we are told of the same story, from one leader to leader. Isn’t it time we heard something quite different and enticing? In view of this, I urge the governor to concentrate on making Imolites proud of his leadership. I sincerely want him to excel, and cannot wait to celebrate his person, thus he must choose priorities over frivolities. Lest I forget; the highpoint of the ‘one-day working visit’ was the President’s meeting with ‘South-East Leaders’. Maybe this was really the essence of the visit, rather than commissioning of ‘completed projects’. Though from what I gathered, Mr President was not informed about the intended purported town-hall meeting. Probably, he was taken unawares. Perhaps, that was the reason the President told the Governor that he would be very careful with his future invitations. However, let’s assume the meeting was for our collective good and wellbeing. But why were some key personalities side-lined in the gathering? Several notable individuals or stakeholders from the Igbo extraction were conspicuously missing at such an important roundtable discussion reportedly targeted to our common good. Nevertheless, I want to believe those who ‘represented’ us spoke our mind. I want to believe they didn’t participate merely to have a handshake, or pop champagne, with the President, but to present to his person the exact burden that had long befallen us as a people. On the other hand, I want to use this medium to tell my people that ‘Sit-at-Home’ might not be the best way or option to register our displeasure or grievance. There may be better ways if we think deeply about it. Sometimes when we resort to such behaviour, it may be to the advantage of our presumed enemies. All in all, as I enjoin our leaders to become more thoughtful of their actions at all times to avert hurtful outcomes, I equally urge their teeming subjects to be sober before reacting towards avoiding self-inflicted injuries. At this point, Imo truly needs to be re-examined, because ‘an unexamined life isn’t worth living’. Think about it!