Saturday 30 April 2016

Nigerians praise Sally Mbanefo , DG , NTDC at Otunba Gani Adams Birthday ceremony ....as Sally dazzles guests written by wale ojo lanre

Nigerians praise Sally Mbanefo , DG , NTDC at Otunba Gani Adams Birthday ceremony
....as Sally dazzles guests written by wale ojo lanre
The Director General , Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation , NTDC , Mrs Sally Mbanefo dazzled guests at the Birthday ceremony of Otunba Gani Adams held in Lagos yesterday when she mounted the stage and beat a drum to the satisfaction of all who marvelled at her dexterity in beating drum
Mrs Mbanefo could not hid her feeling and suppressed her passion as she joined the duo of Tayo Conga , the best percussionist in Nigeria and Khalid Ayansina , the best bata dancer and chanter in Nigeria in showing off the stuff they are made .
Her beating of a three pot drum synchronized with the dramatic pounding of the percussion by Tayo Conga which Ayansina did justice to in dancing

It was a rain of commendations on the Federal Government for appointing the person of Sally Mbanefo "who does not only understand the demand of her office but who has gone beyond any of her predecessors to give practical expression to tourism and culture "
According to Chief Adewale Victor , the Akinrogun of Arigidi Akoko who is the Deputy Coordinator Oodua Progressive Union , Europe "This woman is wonderful . I have encountered her thrice ,in Ile Ife during the Oodua Festival , She was there and participated actively , Also , in Osun Osogbo , she did well and mingled joined in the celebration as a common person without letting her status affecting her and also here .She is a good appointee of the Federal government "

Mrs Funmi Rotiba , CEO , Special Tours and Travel said "She is a fascinating lady . She is a pride of Nigerai . She , since her appointment as the DG been able to focus attention on domestic tourism withou wasting Nigeria's money on fruitless international tourism exhibitions like some of her predecessor . I am always amazed by her unique sense of duty and her down to earth attitude . How many DGs in Nigeria can behave like this embracing and displaying our culture . See her dress , it is Nigeria . This lady sells Nigeria than any other person "
Mrs Mbanefo was the cynosure of all eyes and attraction to many who besieged and taking photograph with her .
Prince Tope Eluyefa said "Sally Mbanefo is a fantastic tourism promoter . I have been following her activities since she was appointed . She is the first DG Tourism who is humble and who is committed to domestic tourism . She is the first also the first DG who visited over 28 states in Nigeria identifying and promoting domestic tourism , no DG of Nigeria has ever done that . She is a blessing to Nigeria tourism "

Friday 29 April 2016

Hotels for corpses open in Japan

Creepy' corpse hotels aim to relieve overcrowding in crematoriums as death rate soars

More than 110,000 people died in Tokyo in 2014 - where there are only 20 crematoriums to cope with demand

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A hotel is being opened in Japan - but while you might get a bed, there's not much call for breakfast and no chance of a wake up call.

It's one of the 'corpse hotels' being set up to relieve overcrowding in crematoriums in Japan as the country struggles to cope with its extremely high death rate.

Dead bodies are now being taken to a facility called Sousou, where they are kept in pristine condition for up to four days.

From the exterior, the hotel is clearly out of place, set of a suburban street with all of its windows covered with dark navy curtains.

REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Residents at the hotel can stay for four days

The business appears to be a reaction to the increasing congestion at crematoriumsin major metropolitan areas such as Tokyo, where about 111,000 people died in 2014, while only 26 crematoriums operate, according to the Health ministry.

In Kanagawa prefecture where Sousou is based, there are about 20 crematoriums.

But they are also struggling to cope with demand after almost 75,000 people died the same year, coming in third in number of deaths after Osaka, where almost 82,000 people died in 2014.

Corpse Hotel — The exterior of the hotel stands out from the suburban street

"During the few days before she heads off to the crematorium, families and acquaintances can visit. I think it's great," said 69-year-old Hirokazu Hosaka, whose mother's body lay in a decorated casket at the hotel.

By 2060, Japan's population will drop below 100 million to about 87 million, and about 40% will be 65 years old or older, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

That's 1 in every 2.5 people.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to raise the birth rate to 1.8 per woman from 1.4.

Advanced economies usually require a birth rate around 2.1 children per woman simply to keep the population stable.

Sousou was previously a factory, with an open elevator decorated with plants to give it a friendly vibe.

On the second floor, there's a spacious consultation space for relatives to relax and talk to staff about their options.

Sousou representative Hisao Takegishi said: "Crematoria need to be created, but there isn't any space, so it produces what's called 'funeral refugees' and that's expected to increase. Morgues such as these will be increasingly necessary."

To preserve the bodies as long as possible, the air conditioning is constantly set at a low temperature. It can keep a total of ten bodies, according to Takegishi.

Takegishi says he hopes to expand the business into other cities like Nagoya, and possibly Tokyo, although lack of space proves to be a major hurdle. It also lowered its price tag of 27,000 yen (£170) per day to 9,000 yen (£56).

Despite the convenience it provides for some customers, the business has come up against heavy resistance from local residents who say having a facility that keeps dead bodies 'unsettling' and 'creepy.'

"Such a thing was built so close, although there's some space in certain areas, other parts it's less than a metre away," said 50-year-old Yoko Masuzawa, when asked why she was opposed to the corpse hotel.

Her home is right behind the hotel, and she says she asked for the air ventilation system to be put above ground level, but it ended up on the ground anyway.

But others are happy with the facility, which opened a few month ago in September 2015.

Local resident Chizuko Taguchi said: "I think it's a great idea. You can't leave the body at your house forever, so it's great."

British Airways booking secrets - and the best last minute holiday deals this week

10:45, 25 APR 2016
UPDATED 10:45, 25 APR 2016
BY EMMA MUNBODH

Holiday hunting can be a real chore - especially when you want a peak time ticket. Here's our guide to booking - and the tricks to saving on your stay

Camilla and Kevin chose the Maldives — It's not just the sales that can snap you up a bargain

According to research, the best time to book a holiday for the most competitive price is 56-days in advance - but what happens when you're travelling last minute?

British Airways hosts flights to Europe and international luxury destinations all year round - but with flights up in the £1,000s - doing your research can help you save a fortune - especially if you're flying long-haul.

To help you cut your costs, whether on a family 2016 break or a weekend getaway, here are some handy booking hacks, and our favourite late deals this April.

The hacks to find a cheap holiday

1. Eye up the sales

Many savvy holiday makers sit tight for the sales to hit to book their escape - you can follow which airlines are hosting flight sales here.

The Big British Airways sales tend to drop around September, December and towards the end of January. If you've missed out, view their late deals for competitive deals as airlines rush to fill seats last minute.

2. Look for 'add on' freebies and deals

British Airways is known for its long-haul luxury escapes - and you can search forholiday offers here all year round.

Current deals include 35% off all inclusive Caribbean escapes with Elite Island Resorts and Europe flights from around £39 each-way.

Other ways to save include through Avois points where you can part-pay for tickets, and double points promotions - see what's on here.

If you book a Club World (business class) seat between April 5 and June 14 you can get a free upgrade to first-class - if you're travelling between April 5 and August 28, 2016.

Customers who’d like to take up the offer can do so by contacting their travel agent, or calling the British Airways contact centre on 0344 493 0787.

3. Search the late deals

Late deals is the most popular way to save on a flights and hotels - as airlines rush to fill spaces and hotel rooms last minute.

See our pick of the best British Airways late packages this week below, including four-star breaks in Egypt and Portugal where temperatures are still in the mid-twenties this time of year.

5 best British Airways late deals this week

If you're after an 2016 break, here's our pick of the best late BA deals this week. For more late deals, see our last minute holidays round up.

Barcelona - Two nights at the 4* Tryp Barcelona Condal Mar Hotel, from £199 per person, travelling May 1 to May 31. Includes return flights from London Heathrow and accommodation. Book by May 7. For reservations click here.
Rome - Two nights at the 4* Black, from £169 per person, travelling May 1 to May 31. Includes return flights from London Heathrow and accommodation with breakfast. Book by May 7. For reservations click here.
Malta - Seven nights at the 4* Quinta Da Portada Branca, from £279 per person, travelling May 1 to May 31. Includes return flights from Gatwick and accommodation. Book by May 7. For reservations click here.
Vienna - Two nights at the 4* Austria Trend Hotel Ananas, from £169 per person, travelling June 1 to June 30. Includes return flights from Gatwick and accommodation. Book by May 7. For reservations click here.
Mauritius - Seven nights at the 3* Coin de Mire Attitude, from £819 per person, travelling on selected dates in June. Includes return flights from Gatwick and accommodation with breakfast. Book by May 3. For reservations click here.

4. Shop around

You can find out which airlines and agents are hosting flight sales on our cheap holidays page
For a package break, see our guide on how to book an all inclusive holiday
Cruise deals are common - but they have a habit of selling out fast. See our cruise deals guide for the best offers and money-saving tips.
This is how to book a winter sun holiday including booking tips, destinations and best deals this week.
For cheap family escapes, these are the best Legoland deals and Disneyland Paris packages
For European getaways, here are 6 hacks to find cheap last minute holiday deals to Spain, Greece and Europe

Man parks car behind speed camera and lifts boot to block view then walks to pub

08:50, 29 APR 2016
UPDATED 15:12, 29 APR 2016
BY JESSICA HAWORTH

The picture was uploaded onto Reddit after his neighbour caught him in the act but the reaction has been mixed

A man pulls up behind police van, opens boot to block speed camera, walks off to the pub — The picture taken by his neighbour

This is the moment a man pulled up behind a police van, blocked the view of a speed camera van then brazenly walked off to the pub.

The unnamed man decided to take the law in to his own hands after spotting the camera.

After noticing the hidden device on the back of the police van, he blocked its view by raising his boot door.

The picture was taken by a neighbour who noticed him and posted the image ontoReddit .

They posted: "Someone just parked in front of a speed camera, lifted his boot so nobody could get caught speeding. Then went to the pub across the road."

It isn't known where the picture was taken but the Metro suggested it was snapped in Manchester.

The man was praised online for his selfless act.

One person posted: "The hero we don't really deserve but it's pretty great to have."

And another quipped: "I'm sure the people that live on that street really appreciate it."

But others blasted the move, one wrote: "What a great guy! Nobody deserves to be forced to limit their speeds in a residential area where pedestrians & children may be around."