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Impact of COVID-19 on tourism, entertainment industry – Oluwatope Lawanson

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Covid-19

 

Since the outbreak and spread of the covid-19 disease has resulted in countries of the world placing travel restrictions and closure of their borders to movements to and from other countries. The tourism industry is one of the sectors that was greatly affected as it led to the rapid shutdowns in cities and states across the country.

Industries in the tourism sector such as airlines, hotels, entertainment and hospitality industries faced declining demand and patronage hence travel crashes and cancellations.

The increased cancellations of hotels and travel bookings resulted in billions of Naira in revenue loss and hundreds of thousands of job loss in the country.

The rise in unemployment situations in the country, has also resulted in loss of substantial revenue to the government, increasing incidence of poverty among others.

According to the Secretary General, United Nations World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili ” it has been a challenging year in the history of tourism. Almost overnight, the pandemic brought global tourism to a complete standstill.

Pololikashvili explained that millions of people missed chances to explore different places and embrace different cultures and customs.

“And the world lost out on opportunities for tourism to create jobs, support businesses, kick-start development, and to protect and preserve the very things we leave our homes to see.

“However, in the face of such a downturn, tourism ends the year more united and determined than ever,” he said

In reaction to the effect of Covid-19, Government had to introduce stimulus packages and other policies to combat the effect of the pandemic on its citizens as so many lost their jobs and businesses were affected.

Stakeholders in the tourism and entertainment industry noted that the economy will only recover if the government implement sustainable policies.

Mr Pelu Awofeso, founder, Travel Next Door, a tour operating company says that Covid-19 is the most destabilizing force the world has seen in this millennium.

Awofeso notes that like other countries, Nigeria’s domestic tourism, which was already showing some promise, was terribly affected.

“Many practitioners in the creative sector suffered unquantifiable losses because businesses were shut down almost throughout the year.

“Airports, hotels, night clubs, bars, restaurants, travel agencies and event centres among others were shut down. Tour operators lost a lot of money as already booked tours were canceled.

“Also, business owners were not encouraged by government’s slow and insufficient palliative support, especially SME’s which are believed to be the bedrock of economies.

“Practitioners are still suffering the effects of covid-19. Many businesses took loans which they are struggling to pay back.

“There is the possibility of another wave which is likely to lead to another round of lockdown. This is bound to affect SMEs even if care is not taken,” Awofeso said.

Similarly, Emem Isong, a screenwriter, movie producer and director explains that the outbreak took a terrible hit on the entertainment industry.

According to Isong, the entertainment and education sectors were some of the worst-hit sectors.

“It has been a very trying year for me in view of the Covid – 19 pandemic.

“My business took a terrible hit as my blockbuster film “Special Jollof” was hugely affected by the pandemic.

“The film came out just as the outbreak started and as a result of the lockdown which led to the closure of cinemas people could not watch the movie,” the producer said

Isong suggests that government should give palliatives to the entertainment industry being one of the badly hit sector.

She added that utmost consideration should be given to the entertainment companies who are struggling to keep their heads above water.

Mr Femi Lawson, a tourism destination marketer noted that the pandemic affected tourism in Nigeria and in Africa negatively and positively.

Taking a critical look at the aviation industry which almost completely short down because of the forced locked down from government and other travel policies. Lawson explained that this affected the operations of most of the airline or industry operators because they experienced losses and could not pay salaries which led to the downsizing of staff and other activities of both direct contractors and subcontractors.

This he said led to multiplied and expanded job loss in different areas of the economy.

“Also because of the restriction on event and event centers, the entertainment industry income was on hold especially for night clubs and some other entertainment centers.

“More so because of the travel policies introduced by some countries that are big tourism market around the world, the local travel and tour agencies lost money and income because they could not sell outbound tourism like ticket nor tour packages to anybody both local and international.

“This very negative impact made some organization close business while some are still struggling to find their feet,” Lawson said

However, the tourism expert said that the Covid 19 Pandemic government policies and lockdown decisions are helping to promote local/domestic tourism.

According to Lawson, due to travel restrictions, people are forced to look inward.

He says some local destinations are recording patronage like never before and some locally manufactured products are getting patronage because the imported competitor could not come in and some goods are not available in the market or it’s now more expensive.

Similarly, some stakeholders in the industry recommend the need for diversification priorities to alternative sectors such as tourism, entertainment, compensation to business operators in tourism and other critical sectors.

The experts suggest that government should implement sustainable policies that such sectors can fall back on in case of any emergencies like the outbreak.

They said that implementing entertainment/tourism-friendly policies would unlock the myriad of business opportunities in the industries.

They opined that Government really needs to move from just making announcements of social/business support intervention schemes to actually doing it like it is being done in some countries abroad.

They noted that the opportunities in the sectors can only be thrown open with the implementation of the right policies while adding that the economy can and will only recover if businesses and families are bailed out.

Opinion

Rejoinder: “I Don’t Know Justice Osiagor from Adam”: Adegboruwa and the Distortion of Truth

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By Valentine Idedia

It is regrettable and deeply troubling to read Ebun Adegboruwa SAN’s feeble response titled “I don’t know Justice Osiagor from Adam,” in an attempt to deflect attention and create a diversion through disinformation, all while a court case is ongoing. This has been a hallmark of this simple civil dispute since it began in 2022.

Frankly, no one is concerned about whether Adegboruwa knows Justice Osiagor. He is free to associate with the judge, but that should not interfere with a case of this significance. The real issue is Adegboruwa’s disregard for the judicial process, which has led to unnecessary controversy.

The case centers on Maurice Etim, a minority shareholder and director of several companies within the Edmark Group, and his co-director, Sam Low Ban Chai, a Malaysian businessman under investigation by Interpol for serious criminal offenses, including forgery, fraudulent corporate practices, and money laundering.

Etim claims that his signature was used without his consent for corporate resolutions, financial statements, tax filings, and more. These allegations prompted an official investigation, and the Nigerian Attorney General, in collaboration with Interpol, has uncovered substantial evidence, including over 500 bank accounts opened in Edmark’s name without Etim’s approval.

The focus now should be on Adegboruwa’s behaviour throughout this case. Settlement talks initially occurred but broke down when Etim refused to agree to a condition barring him from pursuing legal action. Since then, Adegboruwa’s legal tactics have taken a concerning turn.

While Adegboruwa can claim not to know Justice Osiagor, his insistence (following his letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court) that it must only be Justice Osiagor that will handle his cases on the Edmark matters is intriguing.

This is despite Justice Osiagor’s earlier decision in a sister case, which favours Adegboruwa, raising serious questions, where Osiagor held that the police should be stopped from investigating Maurice’s complaint of forgery of his signature on a board resolution—a document that is part of Adegboruwa’s defence to the Maurice petition for unfairly prejudicial conduct.

Adegboruwa described Justice Aneke as unfair. He is not satisfied that the matter is before Justice Dipeolu. The distinguished SAN wants the matter returned only to Justice Osiagor.

It appears that it is only Osiagor who can do justice in the legal world of Adegboruwa. Is he saying that all the other justices of the Federal High Court, including the senior Justices in the Lagos Division, are not fit and proper to be judges?

Issues of Judicial Bias
What is even more baffling is the series of petitions, motions, and allegations of bias put up by Justice Osiagor. Osiagor had previously handled a case involving Adegboruwa, creating a potential conflict of interest.

Etim’s counsel requested Osiagor’s recusal from two pending suits, and while Osiagor agreed to recuse himself from one, he refused to do so for the primary petition, where Adegboruwa represented the Respondents.

When Etim’s counsel appealed, Osiagor dismissed the motion for a stay of proceedings and vacated earlier interlocutory orders without formal application. He then appointed a junior auditor, Samuel Ibrahim, against Etim’s request for a more qualified firm.

Later, Osiagor replaced Ibrahim with Ariyibi, who was found to have a close connection to Osiagor’s church—a relationship not disclosed at the time.

Questionable Orders and Interventions
Etim’s counsel opposed the auditor’s actions and filed for intervention, but Justice Osiagor ruled against them. Additionally, Osiagor granted orders restricting Etim’s access to the Edmark Group’s premises in a separate petition, despite objections from Etim’s counsel.

Meanwhile, Adegboruwa filed a new action in the Lagos State High Court for more restraining orders, which were challenged by Etim’s counsel as an abuse of the court process.

To complicate matters further, the police were involved in enforcing these orders, despite questions about their legitimacy. The intervention of the Inspector General of Police was required to halt the unlawful execution.

Etim’s counsel also sought Justice Osiagor’s recusal from the subsidiary petition, which was granted in November 2024.

Public Concern
The public is left wondering: What is the nature of the special relationship between Adegboruwa SAN and Justice Osiagor? Why has Adegboruwa insisted that only Justice Osiagor should preside over this matter?

Justice Osiagor’s emotional outburst in court and his subsequent recusal do little to mask the apparent bias and possible collusion between him and Adegboruwa.

This situation is a clear example of the Tragedy of the Commons, where individuals act solely in their own self-interest, ultimately causing harm to all parties involved. This behaviour reflects a broader problem in Nigeria’s legal system.

Conclusion
Ebun Adegboruwa SAN’s actions in this case are tarnishing his reputation and casting a shadow over the legal profession. His tactics, including judicial intimidation, obstruction of justice, and the abuse of state power, suggest that his earlier image as a human rights advocate may have been a façade for self-serving ambitions.

By manipulating legal processes for personal gain, Adegboruwa risks losing the respect he once commanded and may be remembered not as a defender of justice, but as a legal villain who uses his position to manipulate the law.

Valentine Idedia, Sales and Marketing Specialist and has followed the court proceedings closely. He is also an an avid interest in fighting injustice

 

 

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FSpUJ9gQU/

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Opinion

PWD: When Negligence Stole a Childhood: A Parent’s Painful Journey

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By Oluwaseyi Oluwabiyi

 

(This article is based on a true story. Names and certain details have been altered to protect the privacy of those involved.)

 

 

When Tolu and Ade welcomed their first child, they were filled with hope and excitement. But their joy quickly turned into heartbreak when medical negligence during delivery caused their daughter to develop cerebral palsy. What followed was a six-year journey of sacrifice, frustration, and resilience that forever changed their family.

 

The experience shook their faith in the Nigerian healthcare system, forcing them to seek treatment abroad and make unimaginable sacrifices to provide their child with the care she needed. Today, they share their story to support others facing similar struggles and call for accountability and systemic change.

 

A Shattered Dream

 

Tolu recalls the day her baby was born with a mix of pain and anger. “It was a long labor, something felt off and I kept asking for help, but the doctor dismissed my concerns,” she says. The delay in intervention resulted in oxygen deprivation, and the diagnosis of cerebral palsy came weeks later.

 

“We didn’t understand what it meant at first,” Ade explains. “But as the weeks turned into months, we realized how drastically our lives were going to change.”

 

The couple was devastated not just by the diagnosis, but by the knowledge that their child’s condition was preventable. “Knowing that a doctor’s negligence altered her life forever broke something in us,” Tolu admits.

The Search for Better Care

 

Determined to give their child a fighting chance, Tolu and Ade traveled abroad in search of better medical care, staying there for nearly eight months. The move came with difficult decisions. Ade, a promising professional in his field, had to sacrifice his career to stay back and care for their daughter, while Tolu returned to Nigeria to continue working and support the family financially.

 

“It was the hardest decision we’ve ever had to make,” Ade shares. “I had to set aside my ambitions and focus entirely on her care. But I knew it was what she needed.”

 

The separation tested their marriage and their resolve. “Being apart from my family and working in Nigeria while they were abroad was exhausting,” Tolu says. “But we didn’t have a choice. We couldn’t both leave work, and we needed the money to afford her treatments.”

 

Everyday Challenges

 

Caring for their daughter was more than a full-time job. She couldn’t walk and had to be carried everywhere. She couldn’t control her bowel movements and had to be fed through a tube inserted into her stomach.

 

“We hired caregivers because we needed the help, but it came with its own problems,” Ade says. “Some of them were rude and careless, and we had to tread carefully so they wouldn’t leave or maltreat our daughter in our absence. It was exhausting to constantly manage both their behavior and our child’s care.”

 

The financial burden was overwhelming, but the emotional toll was even heavier. “There were days I couldn’t stop crying,” Tolu confesses. “I felt like I had failed her, even though deep down I knew it wasn’t my fault.”

 

 

A Life Too Short

 

Their daughter lived for six years before complications from her condition led to her passing. “She was our light, even in the darkest moments,” Ade says. “Losing her felt like losing a part of ourselves.”

 

The grief was compounded by anger at the system that had failed them. “She didn’t have to go through all that suffering,” Tolu says. “We trusted the doctor, and he let us down and to think that he was my gynecologist all through the pregnancy. That’s something I’ll never forget.”

 

Despite their pain, the couple has found ways to honor their daughter’s memory by sharing their story and supporting others.

 

What They Want Others to Know

 

When asked what advice they would give to parents in similar situations, Tolu and Ade share the lessons they learned through their journey:

 

1. Speak Up Early

“If something feels off, don’t hesitate to speak up and demand better care,” Tolu says. “Don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns.”

 

2. Find a Support Network

“You can’t do it alone,” Ade adds. “Lean on friends, family, or even support groups. Having someone to talk to makes a difference.”

 

3. Focus on the Love

“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges,” Tolu says. “But don’t lose sight of the love you have for your child. That’s what will keep you going.”

 

4. Hold the System Accountable

“The healthcare system must do better,” Ade emphasizes. “Doctors need to be trained and retrained, and there should be consequences for negligence.”

 

The Broader Conversation

 

Across Nigeria, countless families are grappling with the fallout of preventable medical errors. Their experience highlights the urgent need for reforms in the healthcare system, not just for better practices, but for accountability and support for affected families.

“Her life mattered,” Tolu says. “And if sharing her story can spark change, then her legacy will live on.”

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Bashir Adewale Adeniyi: adeptly navigating customs complexities with commitment and proficiency

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By Oladapo Sofowora
Whether admired or criticized, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, is unwavering in his mission to transform the Nigeria Customs Service. His primary focus is to safeguard the nation’s borders against economic sabotage while boosting revenue and facilitating seamless trade relations between importers and exporters, ultimately fostering economic growth and stability for Nigeria.
 Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration last year, Bashir has utilized his exceptional acumen and strategic insight to elevate this crucial law enforcement agency. Many initially doubted his ability to succeed, but he is decisively silencing his critics with impressive outcomes that have solidified the customs agency as one of the largest revenue-generating bodies in the country, channeling trillions of Naira into government coffers annually and enhancing trade facilitation.
Adeniyi, often dubbed the “new sheriff in town,” is unyielding in his approach, having made it clear to those who previously exploited systemic weaknesses that their days of advantage are numbered. A natural team player, he leads not from behind a desk but from the forefront, diligently ensuring that every loophole is sealed. Those who have profited at the country’s expense feel the consequences, as Adeniyi pursues them relentlessly.
 He believes that for the customs service to function optimally, it must not only focus on revenue generation but also strive to portray Nigeria positively on the global stage. To that end, he has streamlined the cargo release and evaluation processes through cutting-edge technology, significantly reducing the bureaucratic red tape that plagued the service. While his reforms have drawn ire from some quarters, he remains undeterred. Adeniyi has equipped all commands and zones, preparing them to combat both internal and external corruption. Smugglers, in particular, now view him as a formidable obstacle.
 In a resolute effort to protect Nigeria’s agricultural sector, Adeniyi has strategically assigned capable personnel to the nation’s borders, issuing a stringent directive that anyone attempting to undermine the Nigerian economy is seen as an enemy and will face no leniency. This has resulted in tighter border security and has enabled local producers to flourish, attracting increased investment in vital sectors, especially agriculture. Internally, CGC Adewale is effecting a groundbreaking reform of the customs workforce by emphasizing professionalism and ethical standards. He has initiated extensive training programs focused on customs law, risk assessment, and technology, aiming to cultivate a skilled workforce equipped to tackle contemporary customs challenges.
His unwavering stance against corruption, coupled with a strong emphasis on accountability, seeks to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service. By fostering a culture steeped in ethics, CGC Adewale aspires to elevate the agency into one that commands respect for its integrity and fairness. Adeniyi also recognizes the significance of collaboration; thus, he actively partners with other agencies to forge a synergistic relationship, sharing intelligence that effectively combats smuggling and enhances the interception of illegal goods. The agency has recently reported seizures worth billions while intercepting arms and ammunition, marking a significant turn in fortunes as he strives to solidify the Customs’ reputation as a reputable agency, reversing the negative narrative that has long surrounded it.
Under his stewardship, he has prioritized the welfare of staff, the development of women, and the motivation of officers, fostering a dedicated workforce eager to protect the nation from economic sabotage. Significant seizures from petroleum products to endangered species parts, such as pangolin scales, donkey skins, and elephant tusks, alongside smuggled vehicles, have underscored Adeniyi’s commitment to elevating the agency above others. The digitalization of key customs processes has made trade more efficient, decreasing unnecessary human interaction in order to minimize corruption.
Despite the considerable challenges faced, during Adeniyi’s tenure, Customs has remarkably generated an impressive N5,079,455,088,194.38, exceeding the 2024 target of N5 trillion. As part of ongoing reform measures, six beneficiaries of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program have been selected, with an additional 21 requests processed under an advance ruling initiative designed to expedite customs decision-making on import and export cargoes before their arrival at the ports. Adeniyi’s significant strides, alongside streamlined cargo alerts, have begun to reshuffle the customs landscape in Nigeria, introducing hope and renewed purpose to this vital service.
Beyond the realm of security, the collaborative efforts extend into vital economic initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This ambitious project aims to create a cohesive market across the continent, fostering seamless trade among African nations. Adewale’s significant involvement in the development of AfCFTA-related policies highlights his unwavering commitment to transforming the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) into an agency that not only facilitates economic integration but also harmonizes customs standards across Africa.
This harmonization is crucial for streamlining trade flows and unlocking a plethora of economic opportunities. Despite facing fierce opposition and deliberate campaigns aimed at undermining his reputation, Adeniyi has remained resolute, undeterred by the negative tactics employed by his detractors. He continues to focus on his responsibilities with diligence and integrity. While some have resorted to disparagement, Adeniyi has made sizable advancements toward realizing his ambitious vision of elevating the customs service to an esteemed position on a global scale.
 This commitment to progress is exemplified through the ongoing Comptroller of Customs conference, aptly themed “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose.” This conference, which had been previously halted for several years, has been revived since Adeniyi took the helm, offering the NCS a platform to engage in meaningful discussions. It serves as an opportunity to reassess strategies, ensuring the agency remains afloat and true to its potential in enhancing trade facilitation while also safeguarding our local economy.
True to the adage that the reward for a job well done is more work, Adeniyi is prepared to meet the challenges head-on, ready to deliver exceptional results regardless of the circumstances. The Nigeria Customs Service has never experienced such a level of organization and efficiency since its inception, earning it recognition as one of the most structured agencies in Nigeria today. This achievement is a testament to Adeniyi’s dedication and commitment to promoting excellence and prosperity within the service.

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