As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his 73rd birthday, tourism journalist Frank Meke has penned a heartfelt tribute, emphasizing the President’s legacy of compassion and calling for urgent intervention in Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sector.

Meke highlighted Tinubu’s longstanding commitment to uplifting individuals, citing testimonies from notable figures such as Babatunde Fashola and Folarin Coker, who recalled his generosity even before his political career. He also referenced the late Emir of Borgu, Dr. Haliru Dantoro, who had foreseen Tinubu’s leadership and conferred upon him the title of Jagaban, symbolizing his role as a deliverer of the Nigerian people.

Amidst his tribute, Meke made a passionate appeal to President Tinubu to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sector. He criticized the current Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for what he described as disappointing leadership.

Calling for structural reforms, Meke proposed merging the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies. He suggested appointing a sole administrator, possibly Aare Abisoye Fagade, to oversee the transition and reposition the sector for growth.

He further urged President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the tourism industry, issue an executive order for immediate reforms, and integrate the private sector, particularly the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, into policymaking.

Meke concluded his message with prayers for the President’s health, wisdom, and success in leading Nigeria, likening him to a modern-day Moses guiding the nation to prosperity.