Folorunsho Coker (born July 27, 1965) is a Nigerian socialite, businessman, politician and Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation since March 2017. [1][2] He was formerly the managing director of the number plate production authority of State of Lagos and commissioner for tourism, Arts & Culture and Special Adviser Central Business District in Lagos State. [3][4][5]
Coker was the chief executive officer of Brown Restaurant and La Casa Group prior to his appointment as commissioner for tourism, Arts & Culture. [6]
He was a jury member for the 2nd edition of the Nigerian Travel Awards (NTA). [7].
He was a jury member for the 2nd edition of the Nigerian Travel Awards (NTA). In 1992, Coker was appointed as personal assistant to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, He was later appointed as the Managing Director of the Number Plate Production Authority of State of Lagos. In 2014, he was appointed special adviser on the Central Business District of Lagos to Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), then governor of Lagos State.
As the DG of NTDC, Coker launched “Tour Nigeria” a project aimed at promoting domestic tourism in Nigeria. Coker also organized “Food Flavor” a festival that showcased Nigerian food and culture and promote the city as a destination for fun, hospitality and relaxation. He initiated the revocation of the NTDC Act of 1992 ( the law that established it) . The new law has been passed to law by the senate awaiting concurrence from Nigerian House of Representatives. Coker led administration at NTDC also partnered Google Nigeria for the digitization of tourism sights and street view with the hope of deepening the positive digital story of Nigerian tourism industry.
As Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, in Lagos state , he organized “One Lagos Fiesta” a 5day event held in five different locations in Lagos as a mark of promoting Nigeria culture through music and other form of entertainment. In 2018, with partnership of Kano State Government he initiated the proposed implementation of Kano/Durbar repackaging plan. He also started the repackaging of the Iri ji Yam Festival, Anambra, Ogidi Ijumu Festival, Kogi and Osun-Osogbo Festival, Osun.[8]
He started his education at Coroma College Obalende before travelling to UK in 1992 where he attended St. Bees School, Cumbria . He holds bachelor’s degree in combined studies , Economic and Geography from Manchester University. He obtained postgraduates degrees in diplomacy. International trade and finance University of Westminster where he finished with distinction.
Early life and career
Folorunsho was born on 27th July 1965 in Ikoyi, Lagos State and his father Chief Folarin Coker popularly known as ‘’Baba eto of Lagos and Yorubaland (Ife)’’ was a former public servant in Lagos State and his mother is Agoro of Idumota.[9] He obtained his first school leaving certificate at Corona School, Ikoyi before he proceeded to St. Gregory’s College Obalende where he completed his secondary education. He attended St Bees School, Cumbria, UK in 1982 and holds a bachelor’s degree in combined studies, Economics and Geography from Manchester University . He also obtained a post-graduate degree in diplomacy, international trade and finance from the University of Westminster where he finished with distinctions. [10]
In 1999, Folorunsho was appointed as personal assistant to senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and in 2003, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Government.He was later appointed as the managing director of the number plate production authority of State of Lagos, a position he held for 10 years. [11]
In 2014, he was appointed Special Adviser on the Central Business District of Lagos to Raji Babatunde Fashola (SAN), then governor of Lagos State. [12] On October 19, 2015, Folorunsho was appointed commissioner for tourism, Arts & Culture for Lagos State, a position he held until October 19, 2016. In March 2017, he was appointed Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation by President MuhammaduBuhari. [13]
He was erroneously named the Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board before it was corrected and announced by Femi Adesina, the special adviser on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari. [14]
Projects
Tour Nigeria
It is a brand launched by Coker Led NTDC administration for the promotion of domestic tourism in Nigeria. The vision of the brand is to build the premier online destination for authentic Nigerian content, using technology, creativity, arts and culture to push the new national agenda. It will showcase the true spirit of Nigeria and tell the visual story of the most populous black nation in the world.”
Coker launched the project when he became DG of the NTDC, as an initiative to encourage and enhance patronage of the Nigerian tourism industry by locals.
According to Vanguard Newspaper “Folorunsho Coker speaking at the unveiling of the initiative, said it would help shape the narrative of Nigeria as a major destination for tourism, hospitality, arts and entertainment in Africa. Activities are scheduled through the year across different captivating locations, making it easier for citizens to explore the nation’s alluring landscape and nature’s beauty.
It is also aimed at creating new channels of tourism markets, increasing spending in the economy and creating more jobs. The initiative also is geared towards the promotion of tourism, taking advantage of Nigeria’s population, wealth, density and its unique culture to improve the sector in the country”.[15]
One Lagos Fiesta
While he was still Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, in Lagos state, Coker and his team organised the One Lagos Fiesta (OLF). The event, which went on for about 5 days and was held in 5 different locations including, Lagos Atlantic, Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe, was a combination of music and other forms of entertainment. According to the the Nation , The budget of 2 billion Naira was earlier planned for the projected was slashed to N500 million, by Coker and his team, yet over 50 artists, including the Mavin crew, Olamide and Tuface Idibia, performed live at the event.[16]
NTDC Act
In a bid to improve the corporate governance of NTDC, Coker led administration revoked the NTDC Act of 1992 (the law that established it) and enact a new one. The Act has now been passed by the senate and but is presently awaiting concurrence from the House of Reps.[17]
NTDC Partnership with Google
Also in a bid to put the agency in line with world best practices in the tourism industry, Coker led administration began the digitalization of NTDC by training its staff in collaboration with Google, especially in areas regarding the gathering of data. The partnership is for data capture of tourism sights and street view in the hope of deepening the positive digital story of Nigeria. Google Nigeria is also soon set to commence a training with the organisation on Google tools and and Mining Tourism Data.[18][19]
Nigerian Flavors
This is a food festival organised by the Coker and his team at the NTDC in Abuja to showcase Nigerian food and culture and also promote the city as a destination for fun, hospitality and relaxation. The event with was held in collaboration with the National Institute for Tourism and Hospitality, (NIHOTOUR), under Mrs Chika Balogun.[20]
Infrastructures
Coker and his team worked on drafting a preliminary tourism development plan for the rehabilitation of the TigaDam, Kano, the National Park and Zoo, Abuja, KatampeHill, Abuja, Owu Waterfalls, Kwara and Kurra Falls – 64 hectares of land allocated by Plateau State Government now under design.[21]
Controversies
It was reported that The Panama Paper named Coker a sole shareholder of BVI, a company that owns a £1.65m townhouse in Kensington and Chelsea. His lawyers has stated that Folorunsho has multiple sources of income and all interest have been declared. [4]
Folorunsho’s spouse, Aisha Rimi was rumored to have business dealings with the number plate production authority of Lagos State, during Folorunsho’s tenure as managing director of the parastatal. [22][23][24]
