The Managing Director of Tenstrings Music Institute, Mr. Emmanuel Akapo has decried the difficulty foreigners face in getting Nigerian visa, saying it is a disincentive to tourism and discourages foreign visitors to the country.
Akapo said this while speaking at press conference to mark the 17th anniversary of Tenstrings Music Institute which is reputed to be Nigeria’s largest music institute. Akapo said the institute has had students from more than 20 countries from within and outside Africa but it had always been a herculean task for these foreign students to get their visas to come to the country.
He said: “Today, I can beat my chest and say Tenstrings enrols more international students in music than the universities. We beat any university in Nigeria, because the Nigerian Immigration calls us and say people keep asking for visa letters from Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, and so on. What are you people doing? I said it is just music. We are doing visa for students from Panama; we are doing for students from Jamaica, even for a student from Germany. I think our biggest problem is Nigerian Immigration. The Nigerian visa, people don’t know, is one of the hardest visas to get in the world. Students are always lamenting. The student in Germany has been waiting since January and her visa has not come out. The Indian student, I had to send my personal international passport about two weeks ago. The Indian student who came to study at our Ajah Centre, it was war for her to get Nigerian visa to come in. I had to come in; it was almost as if I am inviting her personally.”
Akapo explained that part of the reason for the influx of students from other countries to Tenstrings Music institute may not be unconnected with the global acceptance of Afrobeat music and Nigeria being its birth place. He also said the difficulty students of his school have in securing visas may also be because the officers might be used to so many students seeking visas to Nigerian to come and study music. “I don’t blame them, I don’t think it is something that happens, for a Nigerian school to be having such influx of students coming in. Except students are coming for exchange programme, you don’t find an Indian student coming to do a four, five-year course, and stay behind. So, they might be thinking maybe it is fraudulent or they are bringing them in for some other reasons. So, it is a major challenge.
“As we speak, we have students from 12 countries that are in the country at the moment. The students are majorly from other African countries. We have a lot of West Africa and East Africa students. Currently we have a student from the United States. We have a student from Canada, and we have an Indian student. The Canadian student is a Canadian but with Nigerian origin. The American student is black American and the Indian student is pure Indian, and they are all studying here in Nigeria as we speak. I think it is as a result of growth that the Nigerian music industry is experiencing now.”
ATM 2024 to address sustainability, innovation in aviation
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which will take place from May 6 to 9, will explore the future of aviation, Arabian Travel Market (ATM).
The fair will host prominent international airlines and aircraft manufacturers to discuss the latest industry innovations and solutions. Transformative areas that are likely to be high on the agenda are sustainability and the role of start-ups and innovators in transporting the industry into the next era.
The theme for the 31st edition of ATM is ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship’, championing start-ups and innovators making a significant contribution to the travel and tourism sector. Aligning with this innovation focus, ATM has partnered with Aviation X Lab and the Intelak programme, which have a shared mission to revolutionize the travel industry by providing a platform for start-ups and innovators.
Founded in 2017, Aviation X Lab is an aviation-specific incubator which unites international aviation leaders Emirates Airline, Thales Group, Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace and Airbus, with a mission of reshaping the future of the aviation sector through innovative, sustainable ideas. The Intelak Programmes include the Intelak Idea Lab, Intelak Incubator and Intelak Accelerator, which support start-ups and foster the development of new ideas to meet the challenges across the travel, aviation and tourism sectors.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “ATM 2024 will showcase entrepreneurs in aviation, accommodation, hospitality and attractions, among many others, and explore how innovative sustainable trends will evolve.”
Tourism: Enugu to partner with Flyzone Tourism, others
• The team of tour operators during the Enugu visit.
Enugu State Ministry of Culture and Tourism is to partner with Enugu-based travel agents as part of its efforts to develop investment friendly environment and evolving policies for a sustainable tourism growth across the state.
This partnership agreement was reached when travel agents visited the Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Ugochi Madueke. The travel agents were led on the visit by the Principal Executive of Flyzone Tourism, Mr. Awomoyi Ayodeji. While speaking, the commissioner stressed the need for bilateral cooperation between the ministry and the agents in achieving a sustainable tourism growth. She assured the travel practitioners of the state’s commitment to supporting their efforts at enhancing a rich tourism and healthy culture endowments. Also, the meeting addressed issues of investing in tourism destinations within the state to increase revenue generations. She expressed commitment to trimming processes in order to enhance smooth running of Enugu State’s tourism.
Affirming readiness to support progressive initiative, the commissioner expressed unfeigned support to the growth and well-being of travel agencies in Enugu, and wished to undertake a cruise with travel agencies for a two–day facility tour to explore the rich and diverse tourism contents embedded in hinterlands across state.
In his response, Mr Ayodeji hinted that the partnership with the state will address the issue of lack of jobs among the youths. In most simple terms, this collaborative effort will encourage and advance the state treasures, such as tourism facilities and perceived notions of the people’s culture across global audiences.
He stated that the developmental process would achieve advancement through strategic collaboration with public and private partnership noting that the needs for investment and development of infrastructure would address the sector numerous challenges. To this, he said, the visit was an exclusive access route in encouraging and accelerating growth to enhance local tourism contents and helping travel companies to increase revenue by attracting visitors for adventure purposes.
The Flyzone Tourism boss, said: “Such development would increase domestic tourism, and promotion of relationships amongst stakeholders, local communities as well as business owners. The private sector benefits from the opportunity to invest in profitable tourism projects and gain a return on their investment. This explains synergy with the industry players can create innovative tourism destinations that are more attractive, sustainable, and economically viable.” Ayodeji advocated growth, suggesting collaboration with partners beyond Enugu’s borders.
Chief Executive Officer, Merob Travels and Tours, Mr. Charles Obi stated that he foresees a situation whereby more relationships will crop up, adding that the visit will build bridges between the travel agencies and related government agencies manning affairs of the state travels and tourism activities.
Founder, Geoseries Concept, Uche George, said: “The commissioner’s genuine interest in their suggestion and unwavering support for the initiatives aimed at advancing travel agencies in Enugu left an indelible impression.”
Her virtue and dedication to the cultural and tourism landscapes were evident throughout the stakeholders meeting. Her keen understanding of the potential impact of a thriving travel sector on the overall growth of the state was both inspiring and motivating.”
Describing Madueke as a catalyst for change, George said her openness to new ideas and commitment to implementing suggestions underscored a shared vision for the growth and prosperity of the region’s travel industry.
According to him, Public Private Partnership (PPP) stands as a beacon for positive transformation, offering a multitude of benefits that ripple across various sectors.
Travel Agencies that were part of the visit include: Odizra Travels, Jand Travels, Danza Travels, 3 Star Orbit, TG Travels, Mandalight Travels, Mariamabel Travels and others