Mohammed Shosanya

A cultural Ambassador, The Oba Apetu, Obatala Ile Ife, Willer Almeida, has pledged the commitment of Brazil’s representation and participation in the forthcoming Oyo Unified Egungun Festival and the World Sango Oyo Festival.

Almeida, a Brazilian, stated this during a courtesy visit recently to the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Ministry in Oyo State, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun.

He stated that his mission as a Cultural enthusiast from Brazil to Oyo State, is to motivate enthusiasts in the diaspora to keep up the cultural heritage, adding that Brazilians are lovers of tradition.

The Commissioner lauded Oba Almeida and his entourage for identifying with the cultural heritage, traditions and customs of Oyo State.

Olatubosun further spoke on the efforts of the State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde in creating an enabling environment for tourism to thrive.

He said that the security architecture in the State has placed Oyo foremost amongst other States as a haven of peace.

The Interconnectivity of the road network leading to the five geo-political zones in the State has also created a major ease of access to over one hundred and sixty tourist sites located in the State.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Trans Atlantic Centre, a research, recreation and community development initiative has develop special event to host the annual Valentine Day in Okene on February 14.

The event which hosted jointly with Tafari Hotel and Suites,is expected to attract visitors and tourists from far and near,according to a statement made available to Premium News on Monday.

Tagged,”Valentine Day Special Hangout”, the event is being coordinated by some prominent artistes from Kogi Central in partnership with TAC and Tafari Hotel.

A planning committee comprising of four popular musicians, Cento Naira, Mexico, S Pretty and Language has commenced plans to give a befitting Valentine show and entertainment to the expected guests,the statement quoted.

One of the special features of the Valentine Day event is the celebration of people whose birthday falls on the day.

The statement disclosed that some celebrants from the zone have indicated interest to join the fun come February 14 at the Centre.

Speaking with journalists recently in Okene, the Chief Executive Office of TAC, Mr. Mohammed Bougei Attah, MBA, said the upcoming Valentine Special Hangout is a prelude to the upcoming Weekend Picnic Hangout to take place every Saturdays and Sundays at the Centre.

He said Kogi Central, and in particular Kogi Central is a hub for tourism, and all opportunities should be employed for fun seekers in the zone.

He said,as part of the 10-year development plan of the Centre,the zone will witness tremendous development in tourism, entertainment and promotions.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Trans Atlantic Centre, a research, recreation and community development initiative has develop special event to host the annual Valentine Day in Okene on February 14.

The event which hosted jointly with Tafari Hotel and Suites,is expected to attract visitors and tourists from far and near,according to a statement made available to Premium News on Monday.

Tagged,”Valentine Day Special Hangout”, the event is being coordinated by some prominent artistes from Kogi Central in partnership with TAC and Tafari Hotel.

A planning committee comprising of four popular musicians, Cento Naira, Mexico, S Pretty and Language has commenced plans to give a befitting Valentine show and entertainment to the expected guests,the statement quoted.

One of the special features of the Valentine Day event is the celebration of people whose birthday falls on the day.

The statement disclosed that some celebrants from the zone have indicated interest to join the fun come February 14 at the Centre.

Speaking with journalists recently in Okene, the Chief Executive Office of TAC, Mr. Mohammed Bougei Attah, MBA, said the upcoming Valentine Special Hangout is a prelude to the upcoming Weekend Picnic Hangout to take place every Saturdays and Sundays at the Centre.

He said Kogi Central, and in particular Kogi Central is a hub for tourism, and all opportunities should be employed for fun seekers in the zone.

He said,as part of the 10-year development plan of the Centre,the zone will witness tremendous development in tourism, entertainment and promotions

Mohammed Shosanya

The Oyo state government plans to set aside a day in the year for a uniform celebration of Egungun Festival.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun,who disclosed this on Thursday when met Egungun Worshipers (Alagbaas) and other stakeholders in the state,explained that the new move is part of the present administration’s bid to set the tone for harnessing tourism and culture in Oyo Sunder Omituntun 2.0.

Dr. Olatubosun said tourism has become a focal point of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 agenda.

He said that the grand Egungun Carnival will herald the commencement of various Egungun Festivals across Oyo State.

He explained that a unified date for this cultural festival would further promote the State’s culture and boost the tourism potentials of the State, by bringing tourists from all over the world to witness the festival.

The display by the various Egungun Worshipers would make the celebrations more attractive to the tourists,he said.

He added:“Oyo State being a Pacesetter State, would be hitting the ground running on this dignified cultural propagation and promotion, thus writing history for others to follow.”

The ‘Alagbaas’ in their response, unanimously agreed with the idea,promising to work in synergy with the Ministry to make the concept a success.

They also promised to rally their members to give unwavering support towards achieving the desirable outcome.

Mohammed Shosanya

Ogun state governor,Dapo Abiodun,says the Ojude Oba festival was a unifying factor to the entire Ijebuland.

The festival has also brought about the cultural values of Ijebu people,he said in his comment at this year’s Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

He also said:“It is an opportunity to display our hospitality to the world. It promotes our tourism sector. We are going to look at having a state-owned festival like this which will bring overall growth to the state.”

Also speaking,the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, maintained thatbthr festival remained a boost to tourism development in the country.

He commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for bringing investors to the state through the festival.

He said: “Today marks a new brand for the entire Ijebu people both at home and the Diaspora. Ojude Oba has become a brand of developing culture and tourism in Nigeria.

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona,in his remarks, called also hailed the governor in showcasing the festival to the wider world and urged him to repair the bad roads within Ijebuland.

He added:“I pray God would grant the governor good health to continue to bring more dividends of democracy to every nook and cranny of the state. Ijebu has never failed and we will not fail, this will not be our last celebration. Other states should take a cue from Ogun State that has a museum right inside the palace; it’s a unique thing that has happened to the state. The museum is of international standard.”

Speaking,the special guest of honour, Dr Clement Okeowo,implored the Federal government to fix the remaining portion of the Sagamu–Benin Expressway, especially the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode axis.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism led a multi-sector team on a four-day tour to about sixteen Tourism locations in Oyo State.

The team, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Oyedele Oyesola; the Conservator of National Park, Sepeteri, Mr. Adeniyi Kareem and other tourism stakeholders in the state.

They expressed optimism that the sites could generate huge revenue for the state.

The four-day Domestic Tourism tagged, “Know Your State, Enjoy Your State and Feel Your State”, took tourists to some historical sites at the National Park; Igbeti; Sepeteri and Ibadan,a statement said .

Speaking on the import of the site visits, Mr. Oyesola said the visits were with a view to enhancing Oyo State’s Tourism products and carefully harness their potentials.

He added that Oyo State is endowed with unique integrated culture and heritage as inherited from its forebears.

He said state’s unique cultural identity is known worldwide as evident in many of the tourist sites visited.

According to him,the hills in the Oke-ogun area of Oyo State must be given wide publicity, considering their heights and the amazing views one can experience from that vantage point.

He added that most of the historical sites have ancient stories that accompany their existence, dating back to the Old Oyo empire.

He said the tourism sector of the State shares the view of local tour operators that the sites would be awesome for visitors, adding that they could be money-spinning potential.

He said:”We look forward to working with all of the relevant agencies to make this a reality.Oyo state is amply endowed with unique tourism potentials scattered in its nooks and crannies in all 33 local governments which are unquestionable.

“Tourism is money-spinning, if we go by retrospect you will be able to learn from past experiences considering the Irefin palace we visited today, nobody knows when the Oba that reign in Irefin was reigning in Ibadan and we are told that it has 200 rooms it’s shown there is a cohabiting nature for 200 women to live within same roof successfully, it’s something that requires in-depth learning to see our forebears that they have native intelligent.”

Speaking, the Conservator of National Park, Adeniyi Karim called for partnership on eco-tourism and its facilities with relevant authorities.

He said the Park has facilities that have blended the past with nature, with about 6 ranges containing historical/archeological sites.

Some sites visited were Ali-Iwo palace, National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan; Irefin Palace which belongs to one of the Royal families of Ibadan land; Bowers Tower.

Others visited were African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo Village, Ibadan; Old Oyo-Ile in Igbeti; Mejiro cave; Kosomonu hill; Ibu-iya lake; Agbele hill; Iya-Mapo hill; and the Agbaku cave.

Private sector is igniting efforts to boost tourism,art and entertainment in Kogi Central of Kogi state.

The initiative, which is being facilitated by Trans Atlantic Centre, (TAC),a not-for-profit research,recreation and community development concern,is in partnership with Tafari Hotel and Suites, AFIM Hotels Limited and the annual Ebira Carnival Project.

Others are Calabash Film Production, MLC Television Production and Newsdiary online among others.

Besides,the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kogi state, on Entertainment and New Media have given nod to the project and providing official support through promotions,a statement said.

Billed for execution as part of the collaboration are two epoch-making events, which include the first Kogi Central All Artistes and Entertainment Summit and the Tourism, Arts and Craft Expo 2023.

According to the statement,some of the expectations from the two events are to build the capacity of major stakeholders in the tourism and entertainment industries, provide certification for participants as well as set in motion the process of developing the business for local and foreign interests.

Speaking,the lead facilitator of the programs and projects, Mr. Mohammed Bougei Attah of TAC,disclosed that the projects are part of the ongoing efforts to support the Kogi State Government in driving development to the people and the area through the private sector.

He added:“We cannot always claim to support the government without something on the ground to show. The initiative and partnership therefore are aimed exposing the area and the state to foreign direct investment, encouraging real tourism development and making the central a truly transit haven for visitors”.

The Executive Director of Trans Atlantic Centre TAC), a research, recreation and community development initiative, Comrade Mohammed Bougei Attah,says the centre is desirous of redefining tourism potential of Kogi central.

He also said the development also aligns with his ultimate goal to bring social, economic and other productive developments to the people of Kogi Central and beyond.

Attah spoke with journalists in Okene while
unveiling plans towards the 5th year anniversary celebration of the centre, the annual family Funfair, the MBA Mentorship Program and other events designed to add more value to the tourism potential of Kogi Central

He explained that the primary aim of the 10-Year Development Plan of the Centre is to identify and recognize individuals that have impacted positively on the people despite the daily challenges.

According to him,such personalities are people with track record of voluntary services, philanthropy and investors in the people. “They are those that are running one foundation or the other, which are people-oriented”

The annual Mentorship Program,which is set to induct 100 youths in coming years is one of the major activities of the Centre that build the capacity of youths and successor generation of Ebiras, he said.

He also disclosed that other programs such as capacity building workshops, trainings and interface with successful entrepreneurs are slated for the upcoming year.

He added:”So this January 1st is to usher in the new year in a special way and to prepare people for the remaining part of the year.The annual family Funfair is the climax of event that brings families, friends and associates together to share ideas and celebrate the best of the year”.

The Oyo State Government will soon commence rehabilitation work on the roads leading to Iyamapo, a 2000 metres above sea level Hill in Igbeti town.

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal gave the assurance during the World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27, at Igbeti, headquarters of Olorunsogo Local Government Area,assured that the government will invest in the tourism sector to attract local and international investors, who will in turn drive the State’s economic expansion drive.

Lawal also declared that the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration plans to harness the developmental benefits of the State’s mineral resources in Igbeti, to expand the economy.

He said the present administration is determined to reposition the state’s tourism sector with its huge potential, to drive the economy of the state.

Barr. Lawal, who hinted that resources in the Oke-Ogun zone of the state are enough to sustain Oyo state’s economy, implored investors to help boost the economic activities of the state, through investment in the tourism sector.

He explained that “harnessing the multi-million naira potentials in the state, will be extended to the 168 tourism sites in the State. We will drive world-class tourist sites and urban regeneration work to attract tourists, which will provide gainful means of employment for youth and women”.

He added that this will open more rural areas, like Igbeti, to tourists as the plan includes rehabilitating the road which will take tourists to Iyamapo to see the beauty and access all the other landmarks in the town.

“Oyo State Government will rehabilitate the roads leading to Iyamapo hill, which is one of the tourism potentials in Igbeti. This is part of our commitment to tourism in the State”, he said.This will also encourage tourists to visit Agbele hill, Bata erugba and other places and by doing so, they contribute to the growth of the economy,” he said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun said that tourism in the state would be harnessed by the Seyi Makinde led administration.

The Lagos State Government unveiled Q4-Lagos Initiative to enhance tourism through effective capturing of statistics of tourism and entertainment activities in the state.

At the official launch of the initiative,the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, noted that the unveiling of the Q4-Lagos concept came about after several months of research, planning and stakeholders engagement.

According to her,Q4-Lagos, means 4 Quarters consisting of January to March, April to June, July to September and October to December, adding that it was developed as a term that will provide an all-round entertainment and fun for Lagosians and visitors to Lagos State.

She said:“This concept emanated from our findings which revealed that the numbers of visitors and tourists to Lagos State are not captured in statistics. With the idea of the Q4, the statistics of tourism and entertainment activities for each of the quarters can now be easily compiled and collated. The Ministry considered it worrisome that there are no reliable statistics and data about the numbers of visitors or tourists that visit Lagos on yearly basis. The data about their contributions to the state’s economy are often not captured as well.

“The need to change this, and have a more holistic data of tourists to Lagos State brought about the conceptualization of the Q4 Initiative which is intended to be a yearly event that will help market Lagos in such a way that tourists will always be looking forward to spend their holidays in Lagos as tourism and entertainment activities for the four quarters would have been collated for tourists to plan the quarter of the year they will visit Lagos.

“The decision of the Ministry to promote Q4-Lagos Initiatives was inspired by the infamous clarion call “Eko for Show!”, being a callout to the global tourism industry that Lagos is ready to assume her prime position as the destination for Tourism, Hospitality, Events and Holidays in each of the four quarters of the year. This concept also aligns with the mandate of the Ministry to develop and introduce new ideas that will further assist in harnessing the numerous opportunities for the growth and development of Tourism towards driving focus, visitors, and opportunities to Lagos’’

Akinbile-Yussuf reiterated the fact that the main focus is to use the platform of the initiative to establish LAGOS as the premier destination all season through a data-driven calendar of activities that will make data of visitors to the State readily available for immediate use and future reference.

She noted that the Q4 concept is not intended for revenue generation, stressing that the Ministry is interested in data collation of tourism activities to assist us in our planning purposes and statistics.

“Why the Ministry will not want to follow the path of enforcement and compliance, we will not hesitate to sanction any operator or stakeholder that refuses to cooperate with the Ministry in this data collation efforts.