News

Travel Writers Challenged To Promote Natural Resources, Culture, Others

Published

6 years ago

November 19, 2020

President, South South Travel Writers’ Corps, Comrade Piriye Kiyaramo, has reiterated that travel writers have key roles to play in promoting natural resources, culture, heritage, with a view to making tourists to get familiar with a place even before visiting it in person.

The Writers’ Corps comprises travel journalists, photographers, videographers, ICT experts and tourism destination managers.

The President who disclosed this while giving his goodwill message at the maiden meeting of the Edo State Travel Writers’ Corps held at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City during the week, stressed the need to focus attention on tourism advertising being one of the most important factors that help the tourism industry to generate tourists from both the local and international marketplace.

Kiyaramo said, “We live in a media-driven world. Every organisation today uses media to promote their business. For customers, in this case, tourists go to places and plan their vacations that are more talked about. The travel writers must be involved in writing about the destination to attract the attention of the tourists.

“Undoubtedly, advertising is important for any business. Similarly, in the travel business, it plays a key role to entice the customer (tourist). Technically, tourism may not be seen as any other product because it is intangible. So unlike products, industries can not sell it to their customers. So the industries sell the destination on the basis of the customer’s imagination skills through the descriptive reports of the travel writers.”

Kiyaramo who is the publisher of the Blue Economy Newsmagazine online added that customer (tourist) plans a holiday on the basis of expectations developed via the reports generated from travel journalists about the particular destination, pointing out that an improper report can lead to loss in the tourist business while effective report could not guarantee success but will surely increase the chances for it.

“The travel journalist informs tourists to visit a destination, including providing information on everything tourists need to know about the place, in addition to persuading tourists to visit a destination and to remind tourists about the destination and where to do all the bookings for the trip.

“A travel writer explores new destinations and shares observations with others using the written word and photos. One of the most important requirements for this type of work is a desire to travel and experience new environments and cultures. Physical stamina, an observant mind and a talent for descriptive language are just a few of the qualities necessary for becoming a travel writer.

“Travel writers come to the profession from a variety of education paths. Earning a degree in English or journalism is one path. Improving your writing skills by studying with veteran writers in independent workshops is another approach. A third option is to work on your writing skills on your own through a trial and error process,” he added.

In his remarks, Interim Chairman of Edo State Travel Writers’ Corps, who also is the Publisher of Popular News online, Mr. Isaac Olamikan, enjoined members of the writers’ corps to be dedicated to duty knowing the ernormity and sensitive nature of travel writing.

He said Edo State has very rich cultural heritage with great historical monument and tourists icons that could attract tourists to the state, if such rich cultural tourism potentials are properly harnessed by the state government and the private sector operators.

The publisher expressed the Corps willingness to partner with all relevant government agencies and stakeholders to promote the cultural richness of the Edo people.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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