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NoneMy dear 2024, By Dakuku Peterside Letter writing may be a lost art in this digital age, yet there are moments when the weight of reflection demands the intimacy of a letter. So, dear 2024, consider this a heartfelt note from a Nigerian seeking to encapsulate the whirlwind of emotions, events, and transformations that have unfolded over the past twelve months. As I pen down these words, I do so with the awareness that you are not an ordinary year. Your arrival brought hope, but as the days rolled, that hope was replaced with hardship, struggle, perseverance and lessons. In this letter, as tricky as it may be, I will attempt to recount the key events that shaped you – the milestones that defined not only my life but the collective experience of a nation grappling with economic hardship, political uncertainty, and social upheaval. Nigeria stands at a crossroads, and you will be remembered as a year that tested our spirit and resolve. This is not just a recollection of facts but a narrative of survival in a land where, at times, the future seemed uncertain. You were, indeed harsh, but we, the Nigerian people, have shown remarkable resilience and perseverance. Despite the economic hardships you brought, with inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs affecting all, we have stood strong. Your visitation of economic hardships worsened by 34-40% inflation rate and supply chain disruptions, an embarrassing unemployment rate of 40%, and rising living costs affected both the high and the low. Almost all households felt your pinch. Nigeria’s food inflation rate rose to close to 40% by mid-year, pushing millions into poverty. National Bureau of Statistics reports indicated that over 71 million Nigerians faced food insecurity by the third quarter. The exchange rate rose by over 60%. Yet, amid these challenges, the Nigerian people showed remarkable resilience and perseverance. To put it into context, essential commodities such as rice, maize, and garri doubled in price within months. The petrol price fluctuated between ₦700 to ₦1200 per litre, severely impacting transportation and logistics. Even sachet water, popularly called ‘pure water’, became a luxury for many, reflecting the depth of economic strain. You made our economic thinkers and planners look clueless. Thank God we, the people, showed understanding with them. You brought needless political contentions –the Rivers crisis, contentious elections in Edo and Ondo states, the Kano Emir drama, the Old-New-Old national anthem, and “Endbadgovernance”demonstrations. An attempt to reform our tax system highlighted our stubborn ethnic fault lines. You were not short of drama, both relevant and irrelevant. The reinstatement of the old national anthem left citizens divided, as critics viewed it as distracting from pressing governance issues. However, amid these contentions, the Nigerian people stood united, showing remarkable solidarity. Despite the divisive nature of some of these events, we have remained a united front. Poverty and hunger became our companions, resulting in three deadly stampedes during palliative distributions in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leaving no fewer than 60 people dead. Unemployment among the youth reached over 45%, with many university graduates resorting to menial jobs or leaving the country in search of greener pastures, contributing to the ongoing ‘Japa’ wave. At the global scene, you delivered historic elections and global unrest. People in more than 60 countries—representing almost 50 per cent of the world’s population—went to the polls during the year. Voters in Mexico and the United Kingdom picked new leaders, while a former U.S. president was invited by voters back to the White House. In Nigeria, voter turnout in local elections dipped to a record low of 28%, reflecting growing disillusionment with governance. This disinterest was amplified by widespread insecurity, with over 1,500 reported cases of abduction and banditry disrupting daily life. Villages in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Borno faced relentless attacks, forcing thousands into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. “Lakurawa” gained a strong foothold in parts of North-West states. Some strange things happened that we did not foresee. Greece extended adoption rights to same-sex couples, and Thailand legalised same-sex marriage, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. You gave LGBTQ+ rights activists something to celebrate. This felt strange in this part of the world, where same-sex relations remain criminalised, and social acceptance lags far behind. In Nigeria, lawmakers intensified efforts to uphold conservative values, with proposed bills aimed at further restricting LGBTQ+ rights. The disparity in cultural values highlighted the widening gap between regions of the world, reflecting the complex layers of societal evolution. You saw the world in turmoil, and the Russian vs Ukraine war continued unabated. This war brought about lots of military posturing, leading some to fear nuclear conflict between Russia and NATO. The conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Iran ramped up to greater heights. The Middle East is in commotion, with the war extending to Lebanon and Israel vowing not to stop until it wipes Hamas and Hezbollah out. Iran has shown its willingness to confront Israel, framing itself as the watchdog of the Middle East against Israel’s aggression. You also witnessed the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, raising fears of extremist groups seizing power. Reports from the UN suggested that over 300,000 Syrian refugees fled to neighbouring countries by year-end, adding to the growing refugee crisis. But amid it all, you allowed some of my compatriots to think and look at things differently, to learn that hard work does not kill and bad governance is for a season. Despite the odds, small businesses grew by 7% in sectors like agriculture and technology, offering a glimmer of hope. Despite the increase in tariffs and persistent collapse of the national grid, there has been a marginal improvement in power output in homes and factories. The healthcare sector witnessed significant transformation in the past few months of 2024 because of incisive, superlative reforms and programmes. So far, 53,000 health workers have been re-trained—an impressive number—to deliver integrated, high-quality services. The Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Initiative, which offers free caesarean sections to all eligible Nigerian women meeting the criteria, and the Nigeria Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Assessment Report were launched. These initiatives represent a step forward in our healthcare system, offering hope for the future. Your successor, 2025, is shaping up to be quite the mixed bag — it’s like the year is expecting a baby, but no one knows if it’ll be a bundle of joy or a handful of trouble. Nigeria is trying really hard to stop putting all its eggs in the oil basket. There’s a lot of noise about agriculture, tech, and manufacturing stepping up. With this African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) getting more action, we might see Nigeria flexing as West Africa’s trade big brother. But let’s be honest — oil and gas aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. The Dangote Refinery finally kicking into gear might help us cut down on those expensive imported petroleum products. If it plays out right, that could mean fewer trade deficits and more jobs, which we desperately need. But you know how it is with oil — prices are like Lagos traffic, unpredictable and everywhere. Plus, the world’s moving towards greener energy, so we’ve got to figure out how to keep the money flowing long-term. Now, on the money front, I won’t sugarcoat it. Inflation and the exchange rate will probably keep dancing around, and not in a fun way. The Central Bank will try to keep things under control, but they’ll need serious foreign investment and more non-oil exports to make it work. The tech space is looking exciting, though. With all these young, sharp minds and everyone glued to their phones, Lagos and Abuja are becoming mini–Silicon Valley — fintech, e-commerce, aggrotech, you name it. Politically, Nigerians are still out here demanding real change. Anti-corruption will stay a hot topic — we’re all tired of the same old stories. There’s also this growing pressure for electoral reforms and better public services. Civil society is getting louder, and I’m here for it. But security? Whew. That’s going to be a big one. Between insurgency in the Northeast, banditry up North, and secessionist noise in the Southeast, the government has its hands full. It will take more than military action — they must dig into why these issues keep popping up. On top of that, some states are pushing harder for more control over their resources and policies. The whole decentralisation and restructuring debate might heat up. Meanwhile, you can bet politicians are already gearing up for 2027. Alliances will shift — it’s like watching chess, but with higher stakes. Look, Nigeria has its share of problems—inequality, environmental issues, governance struggles. But the potential? It’s huge. We’ve got the people and the energy, and if we can channel it right, the sky’s the limit. Here’s hoping 2025 is more of a blessing than a headache. As I look ahead to 2025, I do so with cautious optimism. While the road ahead remains uncertain, I am reminded that even in the darkest of times, resilience shines through. So, to everything we have passed through, thank you, 2024, for setting us free. 2025, if you’re reading, please be more liberal to us as a nation and as a people. May our leaders listen more and apply more wisdom. May 2025 usher in real hope, stability, and progress for Nigeria and the world. Wishing Nigerians a happy, peaceful, and prosperous new year. DAP .

Hyderabad, Dec 28 (PTI) The newly formed Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has reclaimed 200 acres of land, including eight parks, 12 lakes, and four government land parcels, the agency's Commissioner A V Ranganath said on Saturday. HYDRAA has successfully created awareness among citizens about the Full Tank Level (FTL) and 'buffer zones' of water bodies (areas where no construction should take place), he told reporters here. A HYDRAA police station will soon be established, he said. The agency will begin demarcating FTL in the new year and has identified 1,025 water bodies. Ranganath said steps would be taken in 2025 to carry out "geofencing" of parks and government lands using technology. Geofencing is a technology that allows the movements of a person, vehicle, etc., to be recorded or limited using satellite signals. HYDRAA condemned attempts by some to create a misconception that it is solely meant for demolishing unauthorised constructions, he said. The agency will also participate in rejuvenating lakes and is considering launching an FM channel to provide weather forecasts, the official said. HYDRAA will not act against residential houses built in the past, even if they are unauthorised, but illegal commercial constructions will continue to be treated as such, he added. The Telangana government established HYDRAA in 2024 to protect government assets, such as lakes, from encroachments and other illegal activities. However, the agency has faced intense criticism in recent months from the opposition, which alleges that it is demolishing poor people's houses and harming the real estate sector in the city. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

Saturday, December 21, 2024 Introduction: A Tale of Two Cities Rome and Dubai , the capitals of Italy and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) , stand as two of the world’s most visited cities, yet they represent vastly different approaches to tourism. Rome , the birthplace of Western civilization, is steeped in ancient history, religious significance, and timeless art. In contrast, Dubai has emerged as a modern marvel—an epitome of futuristic architecture, luxury, and innovative experiences. Despite their differences, both cities have managed to establish themselves as major global tourism hubs, attracting millions of travelers each year. But what exactly makes these cities so appealing to tourists? How have they adapted to changing trends in the travel industry, and how do they compare in terms of tourism growth, demographics, and economic impact? This article delves into these questions, exploring how Rome and Dubai offer different, yet equally captivating, tourism experiences, and how each city contributes to global travel trends. The Impact of Tourism in Rome: An Ancient Legacy with Modern Appeal Rome , often referred to as the “Eternal City,” has a unique ability to transport visitors through time. Known for its history, art, and religious significance, Rome offers an immersive journey into the past, while simultaneously engaging with contemporary life. With its Roman ruins , Renaissance art , and baroque churches , Rome stands as a living museum, where visitors can touch the stones of ancient history while enjoying vibrant modern-day culture. Tourism Statistics and Growth in Rome Before the pandemic, Rome consistently welcomed between 9 to 10 million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular European destinations. However, like most of the world’s tourism industry, Rome’s visitor numbers fell significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, the city has made a remarkable recovery. In 2023, Rome welcomed approximately 7 million tourists during the first half of the year, signaling a strong rebound. While this was still a drop compared to pre-pandemic numbers, it marked a 16.7% increase from 2022—a clear sign of recovery. The return of pilgrims to Vatican City and the gradual reopening of international travel have been key drivers of this recovery. Rome’s appeal as a cultural and religious destination continues to attract millions of visitors each year, whether they are there to explore the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites or to experience the spiritual heart of Catholicism. Key Demographics of Rome’s Visitors The visitors to Rome are as varied as the city’s history itself. The primary demographic groups that make up the bulk of Rome’s tourists include: Famous Attractions in Rome Rome’s allure lies in its deep history and artistic treasures. The city is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world: Dubai: A Futuristic Marvel with Luxury at Its Core While Rome is the epitome of history and tradition, Dubai is a city defined by its futuristic vision and opulence. Over the past few decades, Dubai has transformed itself from a small desert trading port into a global metropolis known for its cutting-edge architecture, luxury shopping, and extravagant entertainment options. The city caters to those seeking the height of modern luxury, with iconic structures like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab offering both awe-inspiring views and experiences. Tourism Statistics and Growth in Dubai Unlike Rome , which has a long-standing history of tourism, Dubai’s rise as a global tourism hub has been much more recent. Nevertheless, the city has seen explosive growth in the past two decades. In 2023, Dubai welcomed over 14 million visitors, representing a strong recovery from the pandemic, with numbers nearing 93% of pre-pandemic levels. The city saw an 18.3% increase in tourism compared to 2022, highlighting its continued appeal as a luxury and leisure destination. Dubai’s success in attracting tourists is due in part to its aggressive marketing strategies and its ability to diversify its tourism offerings. In addition to high-end shopping and luxury hotels, Dubai has invested heavily in entertainment, leisure, and cultural tourism. The city’s iconic landmarks, like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah , continue to attract millions of visitors each year, while its vibrant nightlife and world-class events appeal to a younger, more cosmopolitan crowd. Key Demographics of Dubai’s Visitors Dubai’s appeal spans a diverse array of demographics, with the city’s luxury offerings attracting high-net-worth individuals, while its adventurous side draws thrill-seekers. Key visitor demographics include: Famous Attractions in Dubai Dubai’s tourism offerings are diverse, ranging from record-breaking skyscrapers to unique entertainment experiences. Some of its most famous attractions include:

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