How South Africa earned huge foreign exchange from Joshua’s Birthday bash

OREDOLA ADEOLA

“Yesterday, we were talking about xenophobia but today, we are talking about happiness. That can only happen when there are men of God in this world like TB Joshua, this was the statement credited to Chief Victor Mditshwa, a Director at the South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation –DIRCO. 

The birthday celebration of one of Nigeria’s most celebrated pastors, Prophet Temitope Joshua held on Friday June 12, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa, may have come and gone, but going by the above statement credited to an official in the south Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation[DIRCO].  It is apparent that with the way the event was orchestrated the South Africa tourism board has again beaten Nigeria to it.

The result which includes the loss of a major tourism boost, would have brought more foreign exchange to the country, given the celebrity appeal of Prophet Joshua, whose birthday was celebrated in another Africa country instead of his home country had always hosted the event.  Source close to the minister indicated that thousands of followers from more than 10 countries attended the birthday bash.

The event which was tagged ‘A Celebration Of Love’, a reference to Joshua’s popular slogan ‘let love lead’, was put together by the survivors and relatives of the 84 South Africans tragic incident, who lost their lives in the infamous collapse of a guesthouse at Joshua’s church premises last year.
According to Thembelihle Mamafa, speaking on behalf of family members of the called ‘martyrs of faith’, she stated that the family knows what happened to the building, stating further that tb Joshua was tried to be pulled down by people that were against him but they failed.
‘ They tried to bring him down but TB Joshua –you with God are the majority, the more the attack, the greater your strength’, said Mamafa

Months after Nigeria and other African countries have back lashed South Africa following the xenophobic violence on foreigners in the country, a tourism analyst who spoke with Hallmark on the condition of anonymity said that the birthday deliberately used by the country to score cheap point as a measure to mitigate the negative impact the xenophobic attack may have had on its tourism market.  

Hallmark gathered that the event which had never been hosted outside the country had always attracted thousands of foreigners to the country. A source in the church also noted that last year, when the event was held in Nigeria more 5,000 foreign pilgrims from the nations of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo made their way into the country.

Based on the statistics from the Nigerian Immigration Service it was revealed that out of every 10 foreign travelers coming into country, six of them are bound for The Synagogue Church of All Nigeria- SCOAN which attracts 50,000 worshippers weekly.

Popular South African ‘Bishop’ Stephen Zondo from the ‘Rivers Of Living Waters Ministries’ also spoke of the unity the event had fostered within Africa, revealed that the birthday celebrated in South Africa has furthered unite Africa. He said “We had some tragedies and problems a few some months ago but your birthday has done another miracle that the government and churches failed to do. Your birthday has brought us together!”
According to Mr. Tomi Akingbogun, President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria- FTAN, it is regrettable that despite the impact of the church to the growth of religious tourism in Nigeria, pastor has been neglected by the tourism board and ministry at its trying time. He noted that decision of the SCOAN family and the relatives of the victims in South Africa to host the event in that country was a form of damage repair which is equally good for the image of the church.
Although, Nigeria may have lost huge foreign exchange due to the relocation of the event but the government must learn to appreciate some of its greatest assets. The pastors cannot be blamed in a situation, as nobody cares about him. He has lost huge resources from property, members to litigations arising from the unfortunate event.
He however noted that SCOAN as a religious tourism, is not suppose to be victimized in the manner it is being treated. He added that despite the recurrent death usually recorded by Nigerians pilgrims in Mecca, no one has called for the sanction of the country.
 The Pastor has however not been seen in public since his crusade in Mexico last month. Unconfirmed speculation also showed that there are being influenced by the some of his followers abroad to relocate the church headquarter to their country. Every effort to get to speak with spokesperson of the church proved abortive as his phone number was not connecting.
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Kiss Daniels to perform at NB Literary Evening

Kiss Daniels

 Nigeria’s rave of the moment, Kiss Daniels is scheduled to perform at this year’s Literary Evening as the 2015 edition of the Creative Writing Workshop sponsored by Nigerian Breweries and organised by Farafina Trust comes to a close this Friday, June 26 2015 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

Chimamanda Ngozi

The workshop facilitated by Chimamanda Adichie, Nigeria’s celebrated international writer and Creative Director of Farafina Trust brings together great writers from Nigeria and overseas in an evening of book reading, conversation and fun.

At the event, scheduled to kick off at 5.00pm, writers such as Kenya’s Binyavanga Wainaina and Norwegian Aslak Sire Myhre will lead the discussion with Adichie. Binyavanga Wainaina in 2002 won the Caine Prize for his short story “Discovering Home”. He is the founding Editor of Kwani, the first literary magazine in East Africa since Transition Magazine. He is also a Bard Fellow and the director of the Chinua Achebe Center for African Literature and Languages at Bard College. In 2014, Time Magazine included Wainaina in its annual TIME 100 as one of the “Most Influential People in the World.” Aslak Sira Myhre is a Norwegian culture administrator. He is currently director of the Oslo House of Literature which opened in 2007, Europe’s largest with more than 250,000 visits annually. Other writers who have participated in the workshop and Literary Evening include Jeffery Renard Allen, Robert Spillman, Ama Ata Aidoo, and Chika Ike.

The Literary Evening traditionally brings to a close the annual 10 day Creative Writing workshop aimed at helping Nigerian writers improve their craft as well as encourage budding writers embrace new and refreshing perspectives in the art of storytelling. The workshop which began in 2009 takes the form of a class where participants are assigned a wide range of reading exercises, as well as daily writing exercises. The workshop has trained over 100 participants since its inception. According to the organisers, the event which is open to the public, promises to be a thrilling experience for guests.

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PICTURES OF INDEPENDENT FASHION EXPO 2013

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Can African farmers switch to Indonesian Rice-fish systems?

Agric Entrepreneur with Oredola Adeola

I think Nigerian farmers can take advantage of Rice-fishing farming technique as a means of increasing capacity and productivity.
This technique involves introducing rice into the fish field. It is recommended because of its safety to both rice and fish yield, because they are protected from birds.  

Rice-fish farming has a long history in Indonesia. In general, farmers have developed the systems that are now used. The widely practiced rice-fish systems in irrigated areas of Indonesia are minapadi, penyelang and fish palawija.

The fish is believed to thrive in the dense rice plants, while it in turn provide fertiliser to the rice as  the droppings eat insects pest and help to  circulate oxygen around the rice field.

Fish produced from ricefields are mostly seedfish for restocking in grow out systems, such as floating net and bamboo cages, running water (concrete tanks) and irrigation canal systems.

Minapadi system - rice and fish are concurrently raised in the same area. A trench refuge (0.5 m wide and 0.3-0.4 m deep) is used.

The payaman system is another kind of minapadi system. The difference is that the rice-fish field is connected to a pond refuge instead of a trench

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ASA sets to promote medical tourism in Nigeria

Onyekachukwu

Willie Obiano

As parts of measure to promote medical tourism in the Nigeria, the Anambra State Association (ASA ), a diasporas organization, has concluded arrangements to embark on a 10-day medical supports to its communities. The Vice-President of Anambra State Association – South Africa, Chief Onyekachukwu Onyeka, in statement made available to Hallmark yesterday. 

According to him, the event which is scheduled to hold between July 6 and July16, 2015, is aimed at saving lives of the impoverished people of the Anambra communities and also to contribute to the capacity building relevant to the growth and sustainable development. Onyeka further noted that the medical support is a way of reaching out to the less privilege in their domain.

Meanwhile, Chief Onyeka, who is also the Chief Executive officer of Nkosiwe Travel Agency hinted treatment, will be administered on participants in all kinds of ailment including breast cancer, HIV & AIDS, child mortality amongst others.

He said, “we will be on ground to attend and treat all kind of ailment and give lectures to people in areas like breast cancer awareness, HIV & AIDS, child birth mortality." He noted that 10 villages would be visited on different days including Oko, Abagana, Ozumbulu and others.

According to Onyeka, to achieve this the umbrella body governing all Anambra Indigenes in diasporas, otherwise known as ASA-WORLD is already in collaboration with over  27  health organizations worldwide.

"All Anambra indigenes from across the globe, over 27 member organizations are working in concert with Global Healthcare Foundation, Med Point Management, Stevenson Orthopedic Medical clinic and other Stakeholders who believe that anyone living in Anambra with medical need, should have access to free and affordable medical treatment."

Explaining further, he said the medical mission will take place in Anambra State between 6th to 16th July 2015, during which about ten towns will be visited, amongst is Ozubulu on the 10th of July at  Uruokwe Central School Egbema Ozubulu.

“Hence this is an annual visit, same or different towns will be visited in years ahead, depending on who pays their sponsorship money. We are doing it to save lives of the impoverished people of Anambra State/Nigeria and to contribute in the capacity building relevant to the growth and sustainable development of Anambra State.

Some of the towns to be visited, Chief Onyeka informed include: Oko – July 6, 2015, Abagana -July 7, 2015, Obosi - July 8, 2015, Ihembosi - July 9, 2015 and Ozubulu - July 10, 2015

The VP added “We will be on ground to attend and treat all kind of ailment and give lectures to people in areas like breast cancer awareness, HIV & AIDS, child birth mortality amongst others. We are pleased to announce that an overwhelming number of  Clinicians, physicians, pharmacists, Nurses, Dentists, Optometrists, Opticians, Specialists in all medical fields and Social workers; professionals have agreed to participate on this mission . Medical professionals; from almost all chapters of ASA-World; from Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Dubai, South Africa etc have declared interest in joining this Mission.

“With strong clarity of purpose and sole agenda of working together with all stakeholders, government and non-government organization in meeting the needs of our people in our home state. We are merely putting out calls for donations, Professionals and Volunteers from all walks of lives. Anambrarians and non-Anambra volunteers in seeing to the success of this mission”.

“ASA-WORLD will be embarking on a medical mission to Anambra State from July 6, 2015-July 16, 2015.  All Anambra indigenes from across the globe, over 27 member organizations are working in concert with Global Healthcare Foundation, Med Point Management, Stevenson Orthopedic Medical clinic and other Stakeholders who believe that anyone living in Anambra and surrounds with medical need, should have access to free and or affordable medical treatment are the driving force behind this Mission”, Onyeka said.

He however, appealed to Anambrarians to check out for the nearest venue and date so that they can appear and be treated of any ailment that is disturbing them.

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NANET hotels surge despite industry pressure

OREDOLA ADEOLA

Having managed over fifty hospitality business outlets in fifteen states for both government and private sector, NANET Group, a leading Nigerian hospitality management firm has demonstrated the capacity of a local brand to develop a hotel into a world class standard rivaling industry bigwigs like Marriot Group, Starwood and the Hilton group.

The management firm has been working with hotel investors on lease and management agreement basis since forty-five years. Its management services include food and beverage, accommodation, conferencing solutions, recreation and entertainment services.

Founded in 1970, in Kaduna, has been involved in branding and intervention of several hospitality facilities in the country.  It has helped in documentation, supervision of project building and execution, provision of fund and logistics to improve the standard of every hotel under its management.

Apparently, the firm has decided to crest its name on brand being managed by it after many years of carving industry niche.  In an interview with Hallmark, Mr. Ini Akpabio, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the management firm, disclosed that before the end of the year, NANET would adjust some of its contractual requisite, in such a manner as to allow its name on its brands.

Nanet Hotels is currently managing the following hotels, Nanet suites Abuja, Nanet Emirates hotel, Abuja, Command Guest House, Lagos, NAF Club, Kaduna, and Salt Spring Resort, Abakaliki. It has also managed and institutionalized Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi, Nanet Restaurant and Meatpie, Kaduna, Budget 5 Hotel, Kaduna,  Budget Master Hotel, Kaduna, Nanet Excel Hotel, Warri to mention but a few.

Some of the properties have been institutionalized as a major luxury outfits within the country’s hotel value chains, offering intercontinental luxury service with industry trained professionals in all its various locations across Nigeria.

Highlighting how the firm has been able to survive despite the country’s harsh economic environment, Akpabio revealed that the few factors that have made NANET Brand strong are discipline, training and innovation through application of technology in service delivery.

Over many years despite the political climate we have developed and transform most of our facilities into a global brand. We are aware that a good business will keep flying if the officials are professionals and dedicated to industry dynamics. As a good hospitality firm with proven track record, we have continued to offer better rooms and exception services for the satisfaction of all our customers.

According to him, the company has demonstrated much commitment in the area of improving the capacity of its staff through regular training and retraining. He added that only last year, about six General Managers were sent to Dubai for a professional course, while another four directors went to England for training in the hospitality industry.

He further noted that in all, the company has invested millions of Naira to improve the facilities of some of its properties. He noted that the effort is aimed at ensuring its businesses are up to date with the best practices.

Akpabio added that NANET brand has become a strong brand in the country through world-class technological facilities. He said, ‘‘Technology places a very important role in the service delivery in the hospitality industry.  The internet system in Nigeria has also helped to improve service delivery in all our various facilities. Although there are quite some few challenges, but we are hopeful that the government will focus more in this area.  This is because Nigeria is still having issue with internet connectivity as other developed nations have left. ‘’

‘‘In NANET we created free and easy to connect WIFI facility for our customers. We have also introduced technology into security with investment in the installation of Close Circuit Camera in all strategic locations across all the facilities. Our security officials have been properly trained in the area of using some of the new hi-tech technologies, to ensure that our guest safety is not compromised.

He explained that technology has also improved the company’s services over the years. According to him, ‘‘our most of our customers now use IPAD as menu to order for foods and drink. We have also deployed IT facilities in production department to save cost and ensure efficiency.

‘‘We have made attempt to get more facilities but the epileptic state of electricity in the country has become a challenge in getting some of these sensitive facilities into the country.  Power has become an albatross to the operators in the country.  Our kitchens are installed with hi-tech system in the kitchen. We recently attended the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago, to explore new facilities and equipment to get the update of facilities.

‘‘Our present focus is on how to ease online bookings by some of our customers across the world. Like the Aviation industry, we would like the banking sector develop a system that would accommodate us into the central reservation system. This would ease some of the challenges of making online payment for room reservations, where booking and payment can be done anywhere. 

‘‘Our businesses over the past three years in volatile states in country have been crippled due to the insurgent in the Northern part of the country. NANET has lost billions of Naira due to Boko Haram attack in these areas. We have been forced to shut down our hotels in Maiduguri Adamawa, Kaduna, Bauchi and Kano. The new government must intensify efforts to reduce the impact on investors. No matter how attractive the country is, if the insurgency persists no foreigner will be pleased to come into the country.

He however lauded the efforts demonstrated by President Buhari to tackling the issue of insecurity. He however charged him to continue on a very high tempo in order to ensure that Nigeria environment is secured. He said, ‘‘It will help us in the tourism sector the crisis has affected the entirety of the country has no region is left out. The impact has affected international image. Foreigners are quick to judge the insurgency in the Northern part of the country as the affecting all Nigerians including people in peaceful areas.

‘’Our facilities in Abuja, has recorded reduction in patronage of officials of international organization who run seminars and workshops. Some of these expiates have been diverted to Ghana and other West Africa countries. ‘’ he noted

We have also improved our services through proper inspections and monitoring. We have special budget that caters for logistics and repairs. We have a team of dedicated staff who work round the close to ensure that industry standard is maintained in all our facilities across the country. We have a quality control unit that monitors what we offer to our clients. This effort has helped us sustain the industry credibility.

He however urged Nigerians to patronize hotels that offer quality services. According to him, a lot of Nigerians accept low standard hotel offers. He noted that Nigerians sometime have preference for below the rank hotels that offers poor services due to their exposure and cultural orientations.  

Mr. Ini Akpabio, Group MD, Nanet Hotels

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