Tourists Club appoints Sam Amuka, Dele Jegede, Winston Tinubu as patrons

Tourists Club appoints Sam Amuka, Dele Jegede, Winston Tinubu as patrons

By Jeffrey Agbo

Tourists Club International (TCI) has announced the appointment of Sam Amuka, Publisher and Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers, art historian professor Dele Jegede, and pharmacist Winston Tinubu as Grand Patron and Patrons of TCI, respectively.

These appointments were unveiled to coincide with World Tourism Day, 27 September 2025. 

Accepting his appointment as Grand Patron at his home in Anthony Village, Lagos, Amuka urged TCI to advance tourism, arts, culture, and environmental protection through concrete action rather than words.

He remarked, “Any time you are ready to do practical work, tell me. I will be with you.” 

Amuka highlighted Nigeria’s vast tourism potential but expressed regret that these resources remain largely untapped. 

Also accepting his role as Patron, Jegede, renowned art historian, painter, cartoonist, and Professor Emeritus of Art and Art History, said: “I am honored by the unanimous appointment as a Patron of Tourists Club International. I accept with humility and thank you for considering me worthy of this position. I look forward to learning more about TCI in the weeks ahead.” 

Professor Jegede is known for his distinctive style of writing his name in lowercase letters and his rule-breaking approach to grammar. 

Mr. Tinubu, US-based pharmacist and quiet philanthropist, also expressed gratitude upon accepting his appointment as Patron: 

“It is with great honor and humility that I accept this appointment. I pledge to work proudly alongside you and others to uphold TCI’s lofty aims and objectives. Thank you once again. Together, we will achieve great things,” he said.

Amuka’s appointment as Grand Patron recognises his lifetime contributions to arts and culture, values that TCI deeply upholds. It also acknowledges his indirect but significant role in TCI’s formation. The idea for TCI was first conceived in 2008 at BusinessDay Newspaper, which emerged from Vanguard, and was formally incorporated in 2020 at Vanguard Newspapers, the esteemed publication Uncle Sam founded. The appointment letter states, “This illustrates the deep and symbiotic relationship between TCI and Vanguard Newspapers.” 

Jegede’s patronage honours his lifetime contributions to the arts, culture, and by extension, tourism. The appointment also celebrates “the warmth and kindness with which Professor Jegede touches everyone he encounters, regardless of language, tribe, or religion—values that TCI proudly upholds.” 

Tinubu’s appointment recognises his impactful contributions toward making the world a better place, particularly through his quiet philanthropy and generous scholarship support for indigent children beyond his ethnic community. These are principles closely aligned with TCI’s mission. 

Dr. Osa Mbonu-Amadi, President of Tourists Club International, described these appointments and their acceptance as significant milestones in TCI’s journey. 

TCI’s mission is to promote arts, culture, tourism, and environmental stewardship, while fostering a spirit of universal love among all of God’s creations.