Nigeria’s Dr. Edmund Yomi Jones, former Managing Director of Nigeria Airlways and the current Managing Director Six Continents Travel and Tours Limited Lagos, has been honoured with the M.I.C.E Legend of Travel Awards West Africa. The recognitions took place during the 6th Abuja Jabamah, held at the Exhibition Hall of the International Conference Center, Abuja on the 16th November 2018.
Just before the award, there was a scintillating and breathtaking performance the Patatrac Acrobatic performers from the Carnival Calabar giving guests and participants a taster of the explosive perfomances of what is scheduled to be the new addition of Circus to further enrich the experiences of families and children who visit Carnival Calabar this year.
The award was presented to him in the presence Otunba Segun Runsewe, DG, NCAC; Mr. Solomon Abebe Tessema, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Nigeria; Hon. Tamwakat Wali, Plateau State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality. Femi Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Mr. Gabe Onah, Chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission; Mr. Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa, Trade Relations Manager, South African Tourism and; Ethiopian Ambassador; Alhaji Rabo Saleh, President, FTAN; Mr. Stephen Isokariari, BOT NANTA; Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, BOT NATOP; Turakin Nura Kangiwa, Special Adviser to the Governor, Kebbi State; Chief Dr. Chike Ezeudeh, President HOFA among so many others.
M.I.C.E. Legend of Travel Award is the highest award at Jabamah and was is specifically given to Dr. Edmund Yomi Jones based on the legacy of his life-long commitment to the growth and development of the Travel and Tourism industry in Nigeria for over four decades having served as Managing Director Nigeria Airways; Director Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); Director of Travel Solution International (TSI) headquartered in London; Chairman of the Institute of Directors Nigeria; Chief Executive Officer, Six Continents Travels and Tours Ltd and currently an Executive Director with Med-View Airlines. The event will hold as part of the 6th Abuja Jabamah.
M.I.C.E. WEST AWARDS NIGERIA is the first MICE Awards ever in West Africa to be given to the Champions of the concept in West Africa. MICE which means Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events/Exhibitions as the key to growing Tourism, is the lowest hanging Tourism fruit for Nigeria especially for States with challenges in attracting both business and leisure tourists.
Other winners included Lagos State which won two awards, the M.I.C.E. City of the Year in Nigeria and the M.I.C.E. Most Active Tourism State in Nigeria. Rivers State and Plateau tied-up with Lagos State as the M.I.C.E. Most Active Tourism State in Nigeria. Uloma, Egbuna’s Tour Brokers International was honoured with the M.I.C.E. Company of the Year Nigeria.
For the Top 100 Tourism Personalities recognition and induction which also took place during the event, out of the 100 winners, a total of 81 confirmed their appearance at the venue. And they are:
1. Chief Mike Amachree – Father of Tourism
2. Mr. Olufemi Adefope, Chairman, GHI Assets Limited
3. Mrs. Fatima Garbati – Managing Director, Speed Tours/Former President NATOP
4. Alhaji Lai Mohammed – Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Information & Culture Nigeria
5. Grace Gekpe – Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information & Culture Nigeria
6. Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director – General, National Council for Arts & Culture Nigeria
7. Folorunsho Folarin Coker – Director – General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation
8. Mr. Steve Ayorinde – Hon. Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture
9. Sally Mbanefo – Hon. Commissioner, Anambra State Ministry of Tourism
10. Mr. Eric Anderson – Hon. Commissioner, Cross River State Ministry of Tourism
11. Mr. Gabe Onah – Chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission, Cross River State
12. Mrs. Tamwakat Weli – Hon. Commissioner, Plateau State Ministry of Tourism Plateau
13. Mrs. Tonye-Briggs Oniyide- Hon. Commissioner, River State Ministry of Tourism
14. Turakin Nura A. kangiwa, Director – General, Argungu International Festival/ SA Tourism, Kebbi State
15. Mr. Hloni Pitso – West Africa Manager, South Africa Tourism
16. Mr. Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa – Trade Manager West Africa, South African Tourism
17. Ken Aklah – Special Adviser Events to Governor of Cross River State
18. Otunba Ayo Olumoko, MD, Info Gem Limited
19. Ebele Eze-Enechukwu – Mrs. Tourism United Nation ‘15-‘17
20. Ubongabasi Nseobot – Marketing Manager, Southern Sun Hotel Ikoyi Lagos
21. Stella Fubara – Head Africa, Dubai Tourism Commerce Marketing (DTCM)
22. Rita Ikechi-Uko, Co-founder Akwaaba African Travel Market Lagos
23. Senator Florence Ita Giwa – Female Band Leader Carnival Calabar
24. Akporiaye Susan, Managing Director, Topaz Travels Ltd
25. Margaret Fabiyi – Webisco Tourism & Webisco Women in Agricultural Tourism Ltd
26. Mrs. Uloma Egbuna – Managing Director, Tour Brokers International
27. Eme Affia – Director, Carnival Calabar
28. Mr. Rabo Saleh – Managing Director, All States Travels/ President FTAN
29. Hajia Bilkisu Abdul – Managing Director, BBOOG Travels/ NATOP President
30. Mr. Nkereuwem Onung – Managing Director Remlords Tours & Car Hire/BOT NATOP
31. Alhaji Kabiru Malan, President ATPN
32. Mr. Andy Ehanire MD Ogba Zoo, Edo State
33. Aliyu Badaki – President HATMAN
34. Chief Abiodun Abisayo ODUSANWO, MBA, FITP, National President ITP
35. Chief Dr. Chike Ezeudeh – HOFA President
36. Kayode Adeshola – Managing Director, Capstone Travel & Tours
37. Adelola Adewole – Managing Director Tifa Travels & Tours
38. Alhaji Aminu Agoha, Ex-Officio FTAN
39. Tokunbo Dagunduro, Vice President, NANTA, Western Zone
40. Dr. Olawanle Akinboboye – La Campagne Tropicana
41. Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, Managing Director, Transcorp Hilton Abuja
42. Barry Curran, Area Manager, Nigeria, Sheraton Hotel
43. Danny Kioupouroglou, General Manager, Eko Hotel & Suites
44. Mark Loxley – General Manager, Southern Sun Hotel Ikoyi, Lagos
45. Amaechi Ndili – Chairman, Golden Tulip Hotels Nigeria
46. Bob Bamgboye, Managing Director, Current Link Systems Ltd
47. Wasiu A. Babalola, PhD, FIH, Senior Vice President / CEO for Africa, Continent Worldwide Hotels
48. Nnaemeka Agbasi – NAC Hospitality
49. Mobisola Shobayo – Managing Director, Super International Travels/ Wesabitravel.com
50. Omolara Adagunodo – Managing Director, Jumia Travels
51. Chinyere ‘Chichi’ Umeasiegbu (Mrs.)– Managing Director, Global links Service
52. Ahmed Ojuolape – Managing Director, Empire Travel & Tours
53. Mrs. Foluke Abodunrin – Managing Director, Folabod Travel & Tours
54. Sam Adeleke – Afro Tourism
55. Chiamaka Obuekwe, Social Prefect Tours.
56. David & Wonuola Olatunde-Lamidi, Founder/Managing Director Diamonds & Pearls Travel & Tours
57. Isaac & Nneka Moses – Goge Africa
58. Mr. Adebayo Ajayi – Managing Director, Abay Tours
59. Abiola Lawal – Managing Director, FlyBoku.com
60. Ifedayo Andrew-Ogunbayo, Managing Director, FIDOL Trip
61. Cecile Doumbe, Managing Director, CMD Tours
62. Chidimma Tina Nwanya, Lead Travel Consultant, Nje Tours Litd
63. Erelu Funmi Rotiba, Managing Director, Special Tours Ltd
64. Olufunke Adeola Taiwo, Managing Director, Hadur Travels
65. Ediyanga Uko, Managing Director, Travelkulture
66. Mr. Stephen Isokariari, Managing Director, Dial travel Ltd/BOT NANTA
67. Oluwaseyi Adegoke Adeyemo, Publisher, Inside Watch Africa
68. Omololu Olumuyiwa, Publisher, Travelscope Magazine
69. Demola Ojo, Editor Travels, ThisDay Newspapers
70. Wale Olapade, Chief Correspondent, Nigerian Tribune
71. Chuks Nwanne, Chuks Nwanne, Asst. Editor, Entertainment & Lifestyle, The Guardian
72. Obinna Emelike, Tourism Editor, Businessday Newspapers
73. Lucky George, Publisher, Africa Travel Times
74. Frank Meke – Media Consultant
75. Okorie Uguru, Tourism Correspondent, The Nation Newspapers
76. Elder Emeka Anokwuru, Head, Tourism & Travel, The Sun Newspapers
77. Wale Ojo Lanre, Associate Editor, Nigerian Tribune
78. Dr. Raphael James – CRIMMD Media Lagos
78. Franklin Ihejirika, Publisher, Nigerian Franknews
79. Dayo Adedayo – Managing Director, Dap Photography/Tour Nigeria Publications
80. Pelu Awofeso – Travel Next Door
81. Mr. John-Likita Best – SA Tourism Plateau State
By Renn Offor
