Culture/Tourism
Tourist Centres: Need For Revival
Tourism, according to Advanced Learners Dictionary, is the business activity connected with providing accommodation, services and entertainment for people who are visiting a place for pleasure.
The business of tourism today, is almost on a decline as tourist providers and government seem not to be interested in the business any longer.
But a latest research by analysts shows that tourist makers are still willing to continue in their business while they lack comfortable places to actually exhibit their trade.
Speaking on the way out, the Vice President of Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) Comrade Chinwendu Isaac ordunwa, said that the Rivers State Government should re-enter to the business and revive the sector.
Comrade Ordunwa stressed the need of the state government to revive especially Port Harcourt 200 Tourist Beach.
He explained that the tourist centres upon revival, will bring a huge income to the coffers of the state government and as well provide employment for the youths of the state.
Private individuals, he said can in the name of Private Public Partnership (PPP), invest in the business when they are convinced that the state government is willing to do business. According to him, no private investor is interested to invest in a meaningless venture but in a positive business where he/she is expected to make big gains at the end of the day.
The youth leader, pointed out that families were still interested in the business of sight-seeing during festive periods like Easter and Christmas holidays which offers the children the opportunity of making new friends. Now, he said, instead of the families staying home during those seasons, they take the children abroad for same reason.
The youth leader regretted that the money that was meant to be spent here at home go abroad, thereby, increasing their income whereas, the state’s purse remains slim year in year out.
He recalled how Empress and the Port Harcourt were a big tourist centres in the 70s and 80s, adding that the death ushered in crime which in turn has taken the place of tourism in the youths’ heart.
He also pointed out that the revival of the tourist centres, will automatically improve the life-partner of today’s youths who were not expressed to some humorous centres during their early age.
Apart from the revival of the existing tourist centres, he beckoned on the state to go extra miles and create more tourist centres in the state along Etche road in Etche Local Government Area and Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area saying that the area is too lonely.
He hinted that the rebirth of tourist centres will compete favourably with oil industries which has taking centre stage in the economy of the state and nation.
Stressing on the need for tourist centres rebirth, he cited countries like Kenya whom he said has almost the World’s centre of attraction and the major source of both income and employment generation for the country.
Another important aspect of the tourist centres, especially the 300, he said, is the preservation of wild lives from extinction.
Animals as common as monkeys, he explained, will soon disappear in the state unless a timely and a conscious intervention by concerned authorities.
According to him, as part of NDYC’s laid down plans, the youths body will in a hurry, introduce youth tourism clubs among the nine Niger Delta states which will empower youths and keep them away from violence, cultism and other societal ills.
Still on the need to boost tourism and to contribute to its revival, he said that the youth is working out modalities to partner with Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and establish a partnership with air operating so that when a tourist arrives any of the nine Niger Delta states, he/she would be announced on board.
Furthermore, he described tourism as part of the Niger Delta culture, saying that the region especially Rivers State has all it takes to sustain the trade (tourism), but lacks the technical know how to do about it.
Tourism development, the NDYC leader continued, has a huge potential as a revenue earner for the country, called on private individuals and in their own little ways, cultivate the habit of keeping little animals at their back yards in a bid to fast track the process.
King Onunwor/Itoro Akpan
Wife of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Ijeoma Emeka, has visited Onne Police Divisional Headquarters.
The visit of the Police Commissioner’s wife last week was geared towards familiarising herself with the police officers’ wives and attending to their needs.
The CP’s wife’s entourage was received on that day by the Onne Divisional Police Officer.
Ijeoma, in her remarks, said her mission was to familiarise herself and synergies with wives of police officers under her as regards their welfare
She emphasised the cleanliness of the barracks and working relationship to achieve the desired objective
Earlier, the Onne Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ugochukwu Ijeoma expressed gratitude to the CP’s wife for finding time to visit the Division.
CSP Ijeoma described her visit as a welcome development, saying the lectures delivered by the CP’s wife were memorable.
He said the inspection of the barracks was done in a novel manner and said the visit would improve the welfare of the women.
Ijeoma while speaking with newsmen said she has taken into account the state of the women under her as well as bettering their lives.
She said some palliatives were distributed by her., describing it as a rare privilege to host the wife of the Commissioner of Police
The Onne Divisional Police Officer urged residents of the area to be law-abiding and give the police relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of criminals.
He said the fight against crime must be a collective responsibility as the police are ever ready to cooperate with everyone to reduce crime.
Mr Echeng Eworo, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), has urged the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to shun bribery in the discharge of their duties.
Eworo, in charge of Zone nine, Umuahia, gave the charge yesterday during his one-day working visit to Ebonyi State Police Command, Abakaliki.
He said that the measure would ensure good service delivery to the people and also bring about free crime society for the citizens.
“You should keep on doing the good work of ensuring a free crime society for the citizens.
“You must shun all sorts of bribery, as the law will not allow anyone found wanting to go unpunished.
“Do not shy away from your responsibilities. Always stand for the right thing for effective protection of the people,” he said.
The AIG described the police as the leading agency in the protection of lives and property, urging the personnel to embrace professionalism on the job.
“The police is all about the people. Always ensure that you protect them, be objective and do what is right. Remember that all the units in the command were set up for a reason in crime fighting processes,” the AIG said.
Earlier, Mrs Augustina Ogbodo, the Ebonyi Commissioner of Police, thanked the AIG for the visit, adding that the personnel in the state had been dedicated to their duties.
Ogbodo, who gave a brief breakdown of her achievements since her assumption of office as 26th Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, said the personnel had nabbed suspected fraudulent employment syndicates in the state.
Other suspects arrested include suspected kidnappers, cultists, robbers as well as recovery of arms of various kinds.
She commended the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and the AIG on their supports to the officers and men in the command and promised to do more work at ensuring peaceful environment for the people.
Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have eliminated scores of Boko Haram terrorists and rescued abducted victims in recent encounters in the Lake Chad Basin region.
The Chief of Military Public Information Office for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Chad.
Adegoke said the troops of MNJTF Sector 4 in Niger, while on patrol along Kara–Diffa Road on Jan. 9, 2023, intercepted four persons suspected to be Boko Haram/ISWAP logisticians conveying about 1,000 litres of fuel.
He said the fuel was cleverly concealed in plastic bags inside a Toyota Highlander Jeep and was being transported from Maine Soroa to the Lake Chad Islands, possibly to suspected terrorists.
He added that the sum of N650,000 was also recovered hidden in the vehicle, saying that suspects and exhibits were in custody of MNJTF Sector 4 for further investigations.
Adegoke said the troops of Sector 3 (Nigeria), had in another incident on January 11, 2023, repelled an attempted infiltration by the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals due to superior firepower.
He said that two terrorists were killed at the end of the encounter and one Rocket Propelled Grenade, seven bombs, two 60mm mortar bombs, 36 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, seven mortar chargers and two wooden canoes were recovered.
According to him, the canoes were promptly destroyed.
“Similarly, on Sunday, unspecified number of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists also attempted to infiltrate Monguno in MNJTF Sector 3 (Nigeria) in the early hours of the morning but met the gallant and alert troops.
“Troops engaged the criminals in a fire fight forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
“The unrelenting troops pursued and engaged the criminals along their withdrawal routes neutralising three criminals while many fled with gunshot wounds.
“The troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle and 2 magazines after the encounter.
“Regrettably, a soldier paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in this encounter.
“Five young men suspected to have been abducted were rescued by the troops while five brand new boxer motorcycles were also captured from the terrorists during the encounter.
“Efforts are being made to ascertain the origin of the motorcycles and how they were smuggled into the Lake Chad Islands while the rescued young men are being profiled in the Sector Headquarters before further processing,” he said.
MNJTF spokesman further said that a total of 70 terrorists surrendered to troops of Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger) and troops of Sector 1 (Cameroon).
He said the surrendered terrorists would be treated in line with standard procedures for such surrenders which would include interrogation and profiling by the relevant authorities.
He added that the Force Commander (FC), Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim, had enjoined the troops to continue to maintain resilience and offensive posture until the criminals surrendered totally or are defeated completely.
According to him, the force commander reaffirmed the fact that the terrorists have been severely degraded and there is need to finally finish them off.
“He reminded the Force of the obligation they have to observe international humanitarian laws and to be professional at all times.
“The FC praised the courage and determination of the troops of the MNJTF and their commanders and paid tribute to the fallen hero and passed his deep condolences to the soldier’s family.
“He called on the people of Lake Chad basin region to continue to support the MNJTF and other security forces with useful information to help bring this conflict to an end.