Recently, friends and family gathered to celebrate and appreciate Mr. Frank Meke at a reception by the National Inland Waterways Area, NIWA, Management in Lagos, for his immerse contribution to promoting tourism, Culture and Water transportation in the country.
The reception was organized to celebrate Mr. Meke on his recent appointment as a Trustee, Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, ATPN.
Mr. Meke a veteran in tourism, experienced and widely travelled journalist, promoter and consultant has contributed in no small measure to encouraging culture exchange, unity, peace and development of tourism in Nigeria through his write-ups and interviews on radio and television.
As the saying goes, a gold fish has no hiding place, without an iota of doubt, this go-getter and an uncommon achiever in the areas of culture, travel, tourism and water transportation has earned him the admiration of who is who in these various sub-sectors of the economy.
His recent appointment as a Trustee of ATPN is a testimony of his vast knowledge in the terrain of the tourism industry.
At a colourful hosting by the NIWA Area Manager, Mrs. Saret Braimah described, Mr. Frank Meke as a brother and friend who is always available in times of need and ever ready to offer advice.
She said, “We pray that he will do well, he has been a source of joy to us in NIWA, his source of experience has been so marvellous, we have gained a lot of friends and experience from you and we hope you will use this your wealth of experience to move ATPN to greater heights, God will be your strength”.
Mr. Ganiyu Balogun Tarzan popularly called the ‘Boat Man’ and President, Association of Tourists Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, ATBOWATON said, Frank is a straightforward person, one that does not bend the rules to favour anybody.
“I have known Frank Meke for almost 30 years and we have been friends till now, he is a veteran, who knows about tourism, aquatic, land and aviation tourism, he knows all about this”.
He added, “Frank Meke is not a journalist that wants to take money and say let me do a beautiful story for you, No, he will tell you as it is. Frank Meke being appointed as a Trustee of ATPN you know what it means, we all know what trustees are the backbone of an organization or an association, he deserves it, he deserves everything that we are doing today”.
For Richard Ntan, “Having known him for close to 15 years or more, Frank is one person that is straight forward and strict, that is why we can work together, we don’t believe ” hear say or I didn’t hear say” No, he is a very straightforward person, he is somebody that has the fear of God so much that his a worshipper, has the fear of God, has a wonderful family and that is who he Is”.
An On-Air-Personality, AOP, with Jordan Radio, Bunmi Badejo said of Frank, “I see him as a dedicated journalist and he is very passionate the tourism industry as a whole and he has also zeroed in on the marine aspect of tourism and that is how we got to know Mr. Ganiyu Tarzan, we went on a boat tour with him. I see Frank as a senior brother, colleague in the industry and I can tell you for a fact that he does a thorough job”.
Responding to comments by friends, Mr. Frank Meke stated that, he treasures relationships and very passionate about what he does, adding that, he enjoys mentoring the young ones in the profession to become professionals and do well in the industry.
According to him, his appointment as a Trustee of ATPN was a surprise to him because he was not expecting it and appreciated all those who counted him worthy for the position and assured that, he would justify the confidence reposed in him.
“I enjoy being friendly with people, on this appointment, actually it was a rude shock because I do my work and I don’t expect anybody’s recognition what matters is that the job is well done and like also tell myself every day and my colleagues who are very young that whatever you have yesterday is history, today is a story, so I don’t go to sleep on what happened yesterday, have gathered a lot of awards in the course of this but it doesn’t get into my head”.
In attendance were Management officers of NIWA, representatives from the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, Lagos office, Jordan Radio, journalists both from radio, print and online.
