South Africa’s Kaya FM lauds Tour Nigeria

Tour Nigeria, a brand pedestal initiated by the Director – General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr Folorunso Folarin Coker  to promote the patronage and appreciation of domestic tourism in Nigeria by Nigerians and foreigners has gained international embrace, acknowledgement and patronage.

The acknowledgement, a commendable development came from South – Africa most popular FM Station, Kaya FM 95.6 , which reflects the lives of the predominantly black, urban listener between the ages 25 to 49 living in   Gauteng. Pronvice and    based in Johannesburg has  dispatched a powerful delegation  led by Mr Greg Maloka, President and Chief Executive Officer , Kaya FM to Nigeria for a profitable and worthwhile synergy with NTDC.

In a chat with tourism health and political  reporters at Commodore Boat Club, Lagos  Mr Maloka said that , his company was endeared to Nigeria by the professional approach adopted by the Director – General , NTDC , Mr  Folarin Coker at selling Nigeria and placing her tourism potentialities on the international market with  territorial finesse , African cosmopolitanism as regards identity appreciation and sincerity of purpose

Mr Maloka said “We are here in Nigeria to see things through our own eyes , I mean African eyes . We do not want to report from the colonial eyes which has been the order of the day and which is not only subjective, but only sees and magnifies the amenable negative occurrences in Nigeria.’’

He disclosed  “we are committed to ensure a phenomenal rise, leap and increase   in tourists’ traffic from South – Africa to Nigeria. We want to  reverse the Nigeria – visit South – Africa without a corresponding  positive story of South – Africans visit Nigeria . This is unbalanced cultural – economic scenario which cannot foster sustainable  and lasting economic  relationship and brother hoodbetween the two countries.’’

Mr Maloka said that Kaya FM, South – Africa ‘Is creating an intra-continental business tourism unity and relationship which will be a win – win for the two countries.’’

He lamented the neo – colonial politicisation of the elements and articles of harmonious cohabitation and commutation in Africa   especially through the platform of mega media platform of intercontinental influence

Mr Maloka pointed out “  And because of the confidence and trust which  the South Africans have in Kaya FM, we deliberately set forth to visit Nigeria, feel Nigeria, see Nigeria and report Nigeria back to  South Africa the way it is  so as to facilitate their not only to visit Nigeria, but to also invest in the rural areas.’’

He disclosed “South – Africans  need  to visit Nigeria to learn how Nigerians acquired the self confidence and stoic features which is a unique charactertstic of a typical Nigeria, which is grossly lacking in a typical South – African.’’

Mr Maloka revealed “we are going to sell Nigeria to South – Africans through the prism of African native wisdom and employment of African sociological approach rather than the Western format which has brought more confusion and disunity.

“We are visiting tourism sites, engaging stakeholders who have something to sell in Nigeria  to South Africans, organising seminar, workshop and interactive sessions on what and where the South–Africans can access when in Nigeria.’’ Maloka added.

David O’Sullivian, a member of the delegation  “We are here on a voyage of discovery. Voyage of obtaining first hand information for a better perspective . Voyage that will lead to perception,  modification and correction.’’

Brenda Modibane, Business Development and Marketing Manager, Kaya FM pointed out “From my short stay in Nigeria , it is evidently clear that South–Africans have a lot to see, to gain and to learn from Nigeria . Our incursion into this wonderful country is an eye opener to the vast opportunity open for South – Africans which we shall properly market to them”

Mr Folorunso Coker said “It takes a great mind to understand the socio-cultural international conspiracy against Africa which is being perpetrated  and festered through some  intercontinental octopus  mega media. It is also a matter of great valour for another media giant to rise swiftly and embark on positive  intra-continental perception reengineering that is of  sustainable mutual benefit , On this , I give a warm  African kudos and salute to Kaya FM 95.6 for rising stoutly in a rare Pan African information balancing stride  between two most distinguished African countries.’’

He revealed that the Tour Nigeria was as a result of a painstaking deliberation and deep thinking of how best to enhance and add value to domestic tourism  and thankful that Tour Nigeria has not only been embraced by Nigerians, but has been acknowledged internationally.

Mr Folarin Coker said “I assure you of our impregnable and profitable support by opening and oiling the corridor of tourism business  network , collation of meetings , facilitation of constructive interaction with sectoral leaders of thought  and means , movers of the creative industry ,  leaders of night factories and those whose business and concerns will be of interest to South–Africans.’’

Mr Zebulon Agomuo, Editor,  Sunday Business Day Newspaper, commended the DG NTDC for expanding the coast of tourism reporting by interacting with reporters on other desks other than tourism.

He pointed out that the task of proper reportage of tourism require an all encompassing efforts of business, health, tourism and political reporters and “I congratulate Mr Folarin Coker for seeing this essential light.’’

Mr Agomuo said “It is now that people like Folarin Coker is properly positioning tourism as a business of mean and not mere jamboree that Nigeria and Nigerians can reap the inherent revenue in the sector. And it is because of the light he has ignited to the domestic tourism potentialities in Nigeria which magnetised and attracted one of the most powerful and influential radio  stations in South – Africa in visiting Nigeria on a site tour .  I have to say, that NTDC is not only getting it right now but doing all that which will make Nigeria a great tourism business hub in Africa and then a tourism cynosure of global eye.’’