On December 3, 2024, Hon. Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., officially inaugurated the Planning Committee for the 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF), set to take place in Abuja from June 11th to 13th, 2025.
This milestone event marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s tourism development and highlights the country’s leadership within the African and global tourism sectors.
The inauguration marks the beginning of an intensive planning phase for the meeting, which will gather key players from across Africa and the world. Nigeria’s selection to host the meeting reflects growing confidence in its potential as a tourism hub and its increasing influence in shaping the global tourism agenda.
As one of six regional commissions, the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) brings together African Ministers of Tourism, delegates from 51 member states, UNWTO executives, and experts from both the public and private sectors to advance tourism across the continent. The Commission’s efforts focus on promoting sustainable tourism practices, improving regional cooperation, and encouraging economic development, cultural preservation, and social inclusion.
The success of the 68th CAF meeting lies in its ability to attract global attention, foster collaborations, and generate economic opportunities for Africa. For Nigeria, this event provides a platform to showcase its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and vibrant arts scene while highlighting its commitment to sustainable tourism practices, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.
The event also promises significant socio-economic benefits, including foreign exchange earnings from accommodation, travel, and hospitality services, as well as the creation of new jobs and business opportunities for local communities. By hosting the CAF meeting, Nigeria also aims to project itself as a safe, desirable destination for both business and leisure tourism, further promoting its tourism products and services to a global audience.
In line with the Commission’s agenda, the event will feature a high-level conference with the theme, “Harnessing Technological Solutions (AI) for the Future of African Tourism: Innovations, Growth, and Digital Transformation in Tourism.” A parallel workshop for Nigerian participants will also focus on “Empowering African Communities through Tourism and Creative Industry Innovation.”
The Planning Committee, now officially inaugurated, is tasked with executing the complex logistics required to deliver a seamless and successful event. The Committee, composed of experts in content, logistics, and planning, will work tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria’s hosting of the CAF meeting serves as a statement of the country’s tourism potential and its readiness to drive global tourism innovation.
The Hon. Minister, in her address, emphasized the importance of collective effort in achieving the event’s success. She encouraged members of the Planning Committee to approach their roles with dedication, creativity, and professionalism, ensuring that Nigeria delivers an event that not only showcases the country’s achievements but also sets new standards for future tourism initiatives.
“As we begin this journey, I urge all committee members to work with passion and precision. This is our opportunity to demonstrate Nigeria’s leadership in the global tourism landscape, and together, we will ensure this event leaves a lasting impact on our nation and continent,” said Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq.
Vision for the Future of African Tourism
“As we embark on this significant journey, let us recognize the transformative potential of tourism, not just for economic growth but for the empowerment of local communities and the preservation of our diverse cultures. This event serves as a crucial step toward aligning our collective vision for Africa’s future, leveraging tourism as a key driver of sustainable development and global cooperation. Through our collaborative efforts, we will ensure that the 68th UN Tourism Commission for Africa Meeting sets a benchmark for innovation, inclusivity, and shared prosperity across the continent,” said Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq.
With the 68th UN Tourism Commission for Africa meeting on the horizon, Nigeria is preparing to demonstrate its significant contribution to the global tourism sector and further solidify its position as a key player in shaping Africa’s tourism future.
Mikano Motors, Changan Automobiles Present Changan Festive Night ‘24
Mikano Motors, in partnership with Changan Automobiles, is thrilled to announce Changan Festive Night, an exclusive celebration of automotive excellence and innovation. The event promises to be a standout highlight of the festive season as Mikano Motors will also be formally introducing two premium models from Changan; the all- new CS95 with its classic and luxurious lines, and the urban- dwellers dream ride, the X7 Plus.
From past events, the Festive Night promises to be an elegant affair, enhanced by live entertainment, special performances, and a festive ambiance that reflects the season’s spirit. The event will also provide an opportunity to explore the latest innovations from Changan from their representatives, and guests will also be immersed in interactive experiences with product showcases for a firsthand feel of the vehicles’ advanced features and design.
Speaking about the event, Managing Director of Mikano Motors, Khaled Ghraizi, noted that Changan Festive Night is more than a launch; it is a celebration of a partnership that combines Changan’s global reputation for quality and innovation with Mikano Motors’ dedication to delivering world-class products and services to Nigerian consumers.
For more information about Changan Festive Night or Changan Cars, please contact 08007654321 or Info@mikanomotors.com
FG Not Investigating Air Peace – FCCPC
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC) has said its invitation to Air Peace is simply for an inquiry to understand its price methodology and respond to consumers complaints.
The Director, Surveillance and Investigation, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka said neither the airline nor the chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema is under any investigation, but that the Commission invited Air Peace based on complaints from customers for the airline to educate them on its price methodology.
“Thank you so much for honouring our invite in person. We have gained more insight into your operations. Just again to reiterate that it is not an investigation, it is an enquiry to understand and again, find out based on consumer complaints.”
Adeyinka, who stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when the chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema led some members of his team to honour the invite extended to the airline, commended Air Peace for the insights made on its operations.
“Thank you also for bringing your expertise and insights to the industry, it is a good one for us, it is a good one for Nigerian consumers. This is our own, we are happy that you are doing well because if the consumers are saying that this is our aircraft, it means that ownership has moved from you to every Nigerian.”
She noted that the Commission exists for the good of businesses, customers and the operators, stressing that business stability and sustainability are core to their mandate. “We will review the situation and intervene where we can, not just for Air Peace customers but generally for all air passengers and other consumers of aviation services,” adding that this is part of the Commission’s efforts at bringing competitiveness in the market.
The FCCPC director also commended Dr. Onyema for his love for the country and philanthropic spirit and advised him not to let anything deter him from his services to humanity.
Earlier the Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Onyema explained that fare pricing in the aviation sector is a global thing but lamented that the fare regime in Nigeria is not commensurate to the cost of putting an aircraft in the air, thus the reason why airlines frequently go under in Nigeria.
Dr Onyema argued that the choice before Nigerians going forward would be flying safe and sustainability of the airlines, which requires proper pricing based on global standards or watch the airlines go under due to poor pricing. “We need flight safety in Nigeria. For us at Air Peace, safety is a pre-condition rather than just a priority.”
He pointed out that the cost of flying anywhere in the world is priced at between $250 to $300 for an hour and in some cases even as high as $540, adding that this is what could pass for fair pricing, which Air Peace does not follow because of the low purchasing power of Nigerians.
Dr Onyema argued that the addictive nature of aviation business and patriotism have kept him in the business, stressing that if Air Peace is to factor the numerous charges involved in its operational cost, not many Nigerians would afford to fly.
He stated that the high cost of interest on loans from banks ranging from 33 to 35 percent, high insurance cost put at about $12m annually, an amount which could insure about eight aircraft abroad, volatility in the cost of aviation fuel, other sundry charges and replacement of parts, which are all sourced in dollars, make prices of tickets very high.
The Chairman of Air Peace also pointed out that it costs about $4,000 for landing per hour for an airbus plane, just as there is a cost for engine flight circle per hour, stressing that these costs if factored into operating cost will deny a number of Nigerians the opportunity of flying.
“What happens abroad is far better but here, it is a different ball game. When you calculate all these costs, you will find out that when you fill your plane with passengers, you will still have not broken even, though 70% is given as the breakeven point because the fares are not just right.”
He further highlighted that in other climes the cost of operations accounts for 40 percent component of the business but regretted that the case is different in Nigeria as the cost is much higher even up to 70 percent.
Dr Onyema noted that he has served Nigeria well at critical times in helping to protect the image of the country during COVID-19, and other times when some Nigerians were stranded abroad at no cost to the nation, stressing that nothing will kill the patriotic spirit in him.
