Travel/Tourism
Hotel Owners in Imo Blame Police for Low Patronage
By Ahmed Rahma
Owners of hotels in Imo State under the aegis of the Imo State Hoteliers Association (ISHA) have decried the low patronage, blaming the police for this.
The group, during its year-end party held recently at the Harvester’s Hotel and Suites in Owerri, said people do not patronise their members because of insecurity in the state, alleging that the security operatives have failed to perform their duties.
“Visitors who patronise the hotels do not come because of insecurity, the police are no longer doing their duties in the state,” the chairman of ISHA, Mr Chima Chukwunyere said.
He charged the police to secure the state because “the more we are patronised, the more money will go to the government purse,” lamenting further that the patronage has been very, very low because of insecurity.”
The hotelier described the hospitality sector as “the largest industry in the state and the second largest employer of labour,” noting that IHSA must continue to support the Imo State government to build a strong economy.”
“It is also this sector that has been helping it to reduce the growing youth unemployment as the state now ranks first on the unemployment ladder among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” he added.
Mr Chukwunyere urged the government to support the sector hospitality industry by providing a healthy business environment so as to sustain the economy, emphasising that if this is done, “youths would be gainfully employed, more funds would go to the government purse and the multiplier effects will be high in the state.”
However, the Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture, Ms Doris Akubuo Onyeali, countered the group and blamed the low patronage on Coronavirus, which she said had adverse effects on the sector and others.
But she promised that the administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma will support the sector.
“Government will take the hotel and hospitality industry to be number one sector and government will also take the industry higher. The government needs to partner with the Imo State Hoteliers Association to build a strong and healthy economy,” she said.
The Commissioner reiterated the resolve of the government to partner with the association and bring about an enabling environment for the sector to thrive so that they could create more job opportunities while charging the hoteliers to ensure they pay their taxes and rates as at when due.
“Let us not shy away from our civic responsibility, to pay taxes and rates, and feel free to tell government your problems for us to know,” the Commissioner said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A new campaign designed to celebrate its passengers across the globe has been launched by Emirates Skywards, a statement from the company confirmed.
The promotion is known as Season of Rewards, and will run from May 21 to August 31, 2026, with beneficiaries getting different rewards for their patronage.
The Skywards Season of Rewards offers more savings with Cash+Miles on Emirates and flydubai, with members unlocking twice the savings, including enhanced Cash+Miles rates across the Emirates and flydubai network when booking flights and extras (excess baggage, lounge access and seat selection. The offer applies across all classes of travel, fare brands and destinations on both airlines. With the limited-time offer, 2,000 Skywards Miles can unlock savings of $30 instead of $15.
In addition, passengers will receive extra tier benefits for travel up until August 31, 2026. Members earn a 20 per cent bonus Tier Miles on every Emirates or flydubai flight, helping members move through the tiers faster. With reduced Tier Miles required during this period, it’s now even easier for members to renew or upgrade their membership status.
Also, they will get 50 per cent bonus Miles with travel partners, including Emirates Skywards Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG Hotels and Resorts, Jumeirah and more. However, registration is required to participate, and bonus Miles will be credited within 60 days after the end of the offer period.
Further, Skywards members can book their next reward flight and extras with Miles, starting from 4,500 Miles instead of 9,000 Miles during the promo period across all routes, cabins and fares.
“Skywards Season of Rewards reflects our continued commitment to creating even more value for our members worldwide.
“Whether members are planning a family holiday, a Dubai stopover, a weekend escape, or simply looking to maximise rewards across their travel spend – this initiative unlocks more opportunities to earn, save and experience the world with Emirates Skywards,” the DSVP Emirates Skywards, Nejib Ben Khedher, said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Members of the public, especially those using the Nigerian airports, have been assured of the efficiency of the robust preventive measures being put in place across all international airports in response to the recent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) situation in parts of Central Africa.
This assurance was given by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire.
FAAN said it has intensified surveillance and monitoring of passengers, particularly those arriving from high-risk regions.
This, it stated, is being done in close collaboration with Port Health Services, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and other relevant agencies.
It was emphasised that passengers are being screened for symptoms associated with Ebola, and any suspected case will be promptly isolated and subjected to secondary health checks in line with established national and international health protocols.
In addition, the agency said it has strengthened coordination with relevant stakeholders, enhanced staff sensitisation, and reinforced emergency response procedures to ensure swift action where necessary.
“While there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria, FAAN remains vigilant and fully committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining safe airport operations.
“Passengers are advised to remain calm, comply with health screening procedures, and report any symptoms to health officials,” the statement said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In a move aimed at improving passenger clearance, compliance and customs operations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced the Simplified Customs Advanced Declaration System (SCADS).
This platform was launched at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday, May 18, 2026.
This initiative will simplify baggage declaration for inbound international passengers and reduce manual bottlenecks, improve transparency in revenue assessment and enhance operational efficiency at Nigeria’s international airports.
It allows passengers to declare items before arrival, thereby reducing clearance time while improving compliance and operational integrity.
The introduction of this scheme became necessary following operational challenges encountered on the Service’s previous passenger declaration platform earlier this year, and rather than allow the setbacks to slow operations, customs chose to develop a stronger and more efficient alternative.
“When the earlier platform experienced operational challenges, we chose not to see it as a setback. We saw it as an opportunity to build something better, stronger and more efficient.
“For passengers, this system creates the opportunity for advance declaration before arrival. It means faster clearance, easier compliance and smoother movement through our airports,” the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Ms Oluyomi Adebakin, said yesterday.
She noted that the system will eliminate subjective revenue assessment by ensuring that duties are automatically generated based on declared items, their quantities, and their actual values.
“When we talk about revenue collection, it is not about collecting more or less. It is about collecting the right revenue. With this system, assessment will now be more objective, accurate and driven by data,” she stated.
Earlier, the Customs Area Controller for FCT Area Command, Comptroller Victoria Alibo, described the selection of the command for the pilot phase as a vote of confidence in its operational capacity.
According to her, the new platform integrates passenger baggage and e-commerce declarations into a single digital framework designed to support global Customs best practices.
“SCADS is designed to simplify declarations, reduce clearance time, eliminate manual bottlenecks and align our operations with international standards,” Ms Alibo said, adding that the pilot phase will run for five days, from Monday, May 18, to Friday, May 22, 2026, during which officers will evaluate the system in a live environment ahead of nationwide deployment.
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