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Google collaborates with NTDC on tourist development

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GOOGLE, in its huge influence to impact and organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, has seen tourism as a catalyst for diversification and development of Nigeria economy, hence the collaboration between Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)  and Google became  necessary which  kicked–off a one day intensive training for top management staff on Information and Communication Technology  (ICT).

The capacity building programme which took place recently at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Headquarters in Abuja showcased how tourism can exploit digital technology to market and promote tourism in line with global best practice.

The Director General of the (NTDC), Mr. Folorunsho Coker, expressed delight over the training and welcomed participants for the training. He commended the partnership between Google team led by Miss Titi Akinsanmi who is the Head Public Policy and Government Relations west and Francophone Africa with NTDC and further commended their commitment towards continuous training as this is the second time that staff of the Corporation has benefitted from Google training.

“Digital technology is globally employed to drive tourism. Therefore I really appreciate Google for their commitment towards training of our staff in the relevant technology”, he said.

The NTDC chief reechoed that capacity building and staff welfare are the priority on his agenda in repositioning and promoting domestic tourism in the country.

“The staff of NTDC are important stakeholders in the tourism value chain, because they are the implementers of the Corporation’s strategic imperatives, hence the need for this training, they must possess technical know-how and skills to drive the development of the Nigeria’s tourism industry”, Coker added.

The Director General who also attended the training opined that it is high time Nigerians tell their stories to the world digitally as the world is undergoing dramatic reforms in digital technology.

His statement reads, “Nobody can tell our stories better than ourselves”. We have favorable climate, we are the most populous nation in Africa, culture, food, music, fashion, nollywood, entertainment to our advantage, let’s  sell it to the outside world”.

Regarding this, the Google Resource Personnel, Mr.Ogundele Olumuyiwa Caleb noted that the partnership between Google and NTDC has been an all embracing and indeed multi-faceted as it has impacts on all aspects of tourism development. He assured that Google would invariably continue to do its part towards the sustainable development of tourism in Nigeria.

“The overall objective of this training is to equip the participants with the requisite digital skills to conceptualize and articulate targeted marketing strategies with a view of attracting a broad spectrum of tourists and create the conditions to evolve into a world class destination”, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr. Nuhu Auwalu, Deputy Director of procurement unit of the Corporation commended the Director General and Google for the initiative while thanking them for the partnership.

“On behalf of the top management staff, I want to appreciate the DG for his pro-activeness towards the welfare of the NTDC staff, we are very happy. This training came at the right time as this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) theme is “Tourism and the Digital Transformation”, we say thank you for impacting us with this digital knowledge, thank you Sir”, he said.

 

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Oyo South: Oseni Approves N100m for Ibadan Community Road Rehabilitation

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has approved N100 million for the immediate rehabilitation of a major access road linking seven communities in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, announced the intervention on Saturday at a town hall meeting with residents and community leaders from Power Line, Awonsoso, Siba, Olupoyi, Balogun, Baba Agba and Agaloke communities.

‎The lawmaker said the decision followed a request by the community stakeholders, who identified the poor condition of the road as their most pressing need. He assured the residents that the rehabilitation would be completed within four months.

‎Oseni said the intervention was part of his commitment to people-centred representation, stressing that his legislative activities had been focused on issues capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.

He said, “Within the three years plus, I have sponsored bills and moved motions that are carefully designed to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of citizens.”

According to him, some of the legislative initiatives include moves to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Ido Local Government Area, stronger sanctions for contractors who fail to execute government projects according to specifications, and measures to improve accountability in the management of public contracts.

Oseni added that he had also advocated subsidised farm machinery for farmers, measures to reduce the cost of cancer treatment, improved food storage through modern silos and processing facilities, as well as urgent action on flooding and recurring building collapses in major cities among several others.

‎The lawmaker said his engagements with communities across Oyo South should not be viewed solely through the prism of the 2027 elections, despite the commencement of political activities.

“My visit here today is not to solicit for votes, but to listen and find practical ways to attend to the requests and plights of my people,” he said.

‎Oseni also disclosed that he had facilitated the distribution of 31 transformers across Ido and Ibarapa, with about 80 per cent of the cost funded through his foundation. He added that  other interventions had included solar-powered street lights, boreholes, bridges, public toilets, educational support,  infrastructure, health care services,  youth and women empowerment, and assistance to artisans, traders and markets across the senatorial district.

The APC chieftain further noted that some youths had also received N1 million each as seed capital to start small businesses.

‎Oseni acknowledged that his primary responsibility as a federal lawmaker was to make laws and provide effective representation, but said the gap created by ineffective governance at the grassroots had made it necessary for him to support communities through interventions.

He urged youths to remain focused and resilient, recounting how he worked as a bus conductor to raise money for his secondary education before becoming an engineer, businessman and legislator.

Earlier,  Chief Muibi Adegoke, Baale of Awonsoso, and Chief Azeez Saka, Baale of Elere Apata, commended the lawmaker for what they described as his performance in legislation and community development. They pledged their support for his political aspiration ahead of the 2027 election.

‎The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, community elders, women and youth leaders from the affected communities.

(c) Mega Icon Magazine 

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Metro

Ondo alcohol deaths: 29 die, 60 affected

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No fewer than 29 people have died after allegedly consuming a suspected contaminated alcoholic beverage in Araromi-Obu and other communities in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists in Akure.

Awolowo-Ajaka said 60 cases had so far been recorded, with three victims currently receiving treatment in hospitals and 27 others under medical observation.

He said 95 per cent of those affected were males aged between 16 and 55 years.

According to him, the affected communities include Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu, Newtown, Odole, Okele and Oniparaga.

The commissioner said the victims exhibited symptoms including headache, body pain, general weakness, visual disturbance, difficulty breathing and altered consciousness.

He added that some of the victims deteriorated rapidly, leading to death within a few hours.

Awolowo-Ajaka said the pattern of illness and the reported history of exposure had raised strong epidemiological suspicion that the victims were exposed to a toxic alcoholic substance.

He, however, stressed that the exact cause of the deaths had not been established through laboratory testing.

“The pattern of illness and reported history of exposure have raised strong epidemiological suspicion of exposure to a probable toxic alcoholic substance. However, we are yet to have laboratory evidence of the cause of the deaths,” he said.

The commissioner disclosed that 36 blood and urine samples had been collected from victims for laboratory analysis, while samples of the suspected alcoholic substances had also been submitted for toxicological investigation.

He said the investigation was being conducted in collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies.

As part of measures to contain the situation, the state government has imposed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic herbal beverages in the affected local government area.

Awolowo-Ajaka added that several suspects found selling the substance had been taken into custody.

He urged residents to avoid alcoholic products from unlicensed sources and seek immediate medical attention if they experience blurred vision, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, confusion or loss of consciousness after consuming alcohol.

The commissioner advised residents to take anyone exhibiting such symptoms to the General Hospital, Ore, or the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, without delay.

He assured the public that the state government was working with national and international partners to identify the exact cause of the deaths and prevent further loss of life.

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Ibarapa East/Ido: I’ll sustain quality representation, development, says Osuolale 

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File photo of Hon.Osuolale Niyi Yusuf

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Hon. Osuolale Niyi Yusuf, has promised to sustain quality representation and development in the constituency if elected.

Osuolale made the promise on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital while speaking with journalists on his ambition and his plans for the constituency.

The former Education Secretary and councillor said his focus would be on effective legislation, people-oriented representation and the facilitation of projects that would address the immediate needs of the people.

According to him,  representation should not be limited to attending legislative sessions, but must also involve listening to the people, understanding their challenges and ensuring that their concerns receive attention at the appropriate level.

The APC chieftain said people of Ibarapa East/Ido need a representative who would remain close to them and continue to engage with them after elections as it is presently witnessed.

“I want to assure the people of Ibarapa East/Ido that if given the opportunity, I will give them quality and effective representation. My interest is to represent the people well and ensure that projects and interventions are directed towards areas where they are most needed,” he said.

Osuolale also acknowledged the work of the incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, saying that his performance had created a standard that any successor would have to respect.

“Hon. Aderemi Oseni has set a standard that must not be lowered. Whoever is coming after him must be prepared to sustain the quality of representation and, where possible, improve on it,” he said.

The APC candidate said his experience in public service had given him an understanding of the importance of consultation and accountability in governance, stressing that he would make the people central to his legislative activities.

He identified education, infrastructure, youth development, women empowerment , health care services among others as areas that deserved continued attention, adding that he would work with community leaders and other stakeholders to attract meaningful development to Ibarapa East/Ido.

Osuolale therefore appealed to the people of the constituency to support his aspiration, promising that, if elected, he would regard the mandate as a responsibility to serve rather than an opportunity for personal gain.

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