By Taiye Olayemi

Chief Isiaka Ogundare, Apena of Lagos, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to begin to support African traditional religion, just as it had always extended support to Islam and Christianity.

Ogundare, in commemoration of the World Culture Day, said traditional religion, an aspect of African culture, had not enjoyed the attention of government over the years.

While speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Ogundare expressed displeasure over the fact that traditional worshipers were not usually considered each time the Muslims and Christians got support for spiritual exercises to Mecca and Jerusalem.

He, however, appealed to government to also pay attention to traditional worshipers, who need support to promote their festivals and deities like Agemo, Igunuko and more.

“We the traditional worshipers are not happy, government has sidelined us for too long, we are not taken serious at all and we are not happy with this.

“Government will always support the Muslims, paying huge amounts for their hajj exercises, same goes for the Christians, who go to Jerusalem.

“We also crave such support to develop our local festivals and promote our deities.

“Agemo deity is supposed to be celebrated during Agemo festivals, it is the deity responsible for the protection of children. We don’t have the needed resources to celebrate the festivals as we should.

“Also the Igunuko deity, responsible for warding-off evil from the land, is also not well celebrated. There are many more of our deities and festivals that need to be celebrated and promoted.

“When resources are earmarked for hajj and mecca pilgrimages, some funds should also be given to us,” he said.

Ogundare advised Nigerians to practice religion by being charitable, showing compassion to others, and imbibing good morals.

He said exhibiting these qualities would make the society a saner place to live.

He warned Nigerians against neglecting African culture, while embracing the western culture, adding that the repercussion will be grievous later in the future as they will be left without an identity.

He advised Nigerians to uphold every aspect of the nation’s culture and explore ways of generating wealth from it.

NAN reports that the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is an annual event celebrated every year on May 21 globally, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly and adopted by UNESCO General Conference in 2001.(NAN)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

By Taiye Olayemi

The Evergreen Musical Company has begun the construction of a musical museum in Ikeja, Lagos.

Its Managing Director, Bimbo Esho, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the museum upon completion would be called “Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation”.

Esho said that the museum would help to upscale the promotion of music of yesteryears with sound moral values.

She said the idea was to also bequeath to future generations a strong philosophy on music while appreciating the sheer artistic genius of Nigeria’s renowned musical talents, many of whom had been forgotten.

According to her, the project was birthed following the collaboration between Chief Femi Esho, Founder of Evergreen Musical Company and Dr Daniel Olukoya, Founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry.

She said the edifice would accommodate a music museum, music library, gallery showcasing head burst of artistes, display of over 1,000 pictures of Nigerian musicians from 1914 till date.

She explained that there would also be relics of the musicians’ costumes, old musical instruments, an event centre for music concerts, cinema theatre, recording studio and so much more.

According to her, Olukoya, an ardent lover of good music had been of huge financial support to the project.

She noted that the founder of Evergreen Musical Company would remain the chairman of the foundation while Olukoya had been selected as the Patron.

“The project is a massive one, it is a historic landmark project that will stand the test of time and outlive all of us.

“Dr Olukoya has been more than supportive to our cause. He has been magnanimous and we remain eternally grateful to him for his love and support for this dream. But there’s still plenty of work to be done.

“This magnificent edifice is situated at Oyedele Ogunniyi street, Anthony Village, Ikeja, Lagos. We are still calling on all music enthusiasts, lovers of Nigerian music all over the world to come support this dream.

“It will be a contribution to a legacy that will be sustained for generations to come, all of the enduring morals and intrinsic values that our music of yesteryears taught us, all of which is lacking today.

“The edifice is a place the youth can come to enjoy quality music and research into the past musical history of some of Nigeria’s most accomplished musicians of the 50s, the 60s down to the 90s,” she said.

Esho said that the construction should be completed before the end of the year. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Taiye Olayemi

The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Lagos office, on Thursday unveiled digitalised documentaries of Nigerian heritage sites.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was unanimously carried out by NCMM, Institut Français de Recherche en Afrique (INFRA-Nigeria) and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Speaking during the unveiling, at the National Museum, Onikan, Dr Babrabra Morovich, Director of INFRA-Nigeria, said that the digitised heritage sites cut across monuments and artefacts from Ibadan, Benin and Ile-Ife.

She said the challenges encountered in the course of the project had to do with disseminating the research work to all Nigerians, adding that this was the most important aspect of the project.

Morovich said the benefit of the project was directed at the public who had been provided with a platform for easy understanding of what heritage meant.

“We collaborated with CDD on this project and we have worked on digitalising heritage sites and archival materials in Ile-Ife, Ibadan and Benin, for the purpose of preserving them for the future,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr Sa’eed Husaini, Acting Director, CDD, said the primary purpose of the project was to preserve materials that were potentially endangered and to disseminate those materials as well as render them accessible for all.

Husaini said the project was in six components and each currently had at least one website for the public to access information and archival materials that had been digitised and uploaded.

According to him, the public could now visit those sites and download their desired materials.

“The findings and entire work done by various researchers and archeologists are extremely fascinating.

“The project has run for two years now and we are now opportuned to engage with the materials provided to bring them to a new audience in a new generation, this is one that I cherish,” he said.

One of those engaged in the project, David Afolayan, Chief Executive Officer of GIS Konsult Ltd., identified emerging problems he came across in the course of executing the project.

Afolayan said climate change posed serious threat to most heritage sites across the nation, citing example of the town of a thousand gullies in Auchi, Edo, and series of floods at heritage sites within Ibadan.

He added that the analogue way of record-keeping had become obsolete and inadequate, making him embrace new technologies for the project.

Afolayan said in digitalising the religious architectural heritage of Ibadan and urban archeology mapping of the pavements of Ile-Ife, he had engaged the Geographic Information system (GIS) as the best technological platform.

According to him, GIS integrates computer hardwares, softwares and humanwares for collating, processing, analysing and displaying geographically referenced data to solve complex problems.

He said in the course of the project, he had trained no fewer than 100 researchers, students and stakeholders.

“In the course of this, we have developed Ibadan religious heritage map, Ifa pavement archeology map, digitalisation of Ibadan religious heritage and photogrammetry and video game applications of heritage sites in 3D models,” he said.

Also, Femi Olanrewaju, an architect, noted that no fewer than 137 churches, I42 mosques and 127 shrines had been digitalised as well as two Egungun festivals, to provide resourceful materials for all.

This, he said, was to encourage promotion of religious tourism in Nigeria.

Mrs Nkechi Adedeji, Curator of the Lagos Museum, harped on the need for heritage conservators to be well informed in the area of heritage preservation, using the GIS.

She encouraged them to consistently come up with laudable ideas to protect the nation’s heritage resources for future generations.

Prof. Adisa Ogunfola of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), advised on building of a digital interpretation centre for all the urban archaeological heritages of Ile-Ife, in partnership with the National Museum, Ile-Ife.

He said the successful medieval Ile-Ife recapturing had ensured future security for all.

“With the project, we have been able to secure the captured medieval Ile-Ife for posterity against the possible blotting out of its traces by pending urbanisation,” Ogunfola said. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

By Taiye Olayemi

The Federal Government has introduced the Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS) as a specialised institution to train individuals for innovative studies and development of Nigerian culture and history.

Chief Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), disclosed this in a statement by his media aide, Caleb Nor, on Saturday.

Ajiboye said this was to encourage cultural renaissance.

He said the specialised academy would be known as the nation’s citadel of cultural training.

He said the institute had been approved and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run the programme and award National Diploma in Cultural Administration & Human Resources (NDCAHR).

According to him, the Postgraduate Diploma programme is in affiliation with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

“Already, the accreditation and affiliation have provided an opportunity for certification of individuals who have obtained Diploma to proceed for higher education in cultural studies.

” While using the Academy’s Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Administration to enroll for their Master’s degree.

“According to the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the institution will be situated in four geographical locations of Nigeria with campuses in Abuja, Northern Zone, Southern Zone and Eastern Zone.”

Ajiboye said that process was currently ongoing to sensitise the Head of Service of the Federation to ensure that such certificates emanating from the academy were employable in the civil service.

He noted that the certificates would also be honoured for cultural workers, entrepreneurs, hotels and tourism agencies among others.

Ajiboye said that the rebranding and elevation of the institution, known as the training school of NICO, to a full-fledged higher institution for cultural education and training, was a clear indication that the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had come to fully recognise culture.

He said the administration had also realised the need for cultural renaissance to take the center stage in its policy making processes.

“The nation has seen the need to incorporate adequate cultural content in our school curriculum both in the primary, secondary and tertiary education systems.

“What this means is that once we are able to shed off the foreign cultural antecedents, that we have inadvertently imbibed over the years, we will then begin to realise the importance of our innate cultural essentialities.

“These essentialities will confer on us as a people, a great dose of originality, thereby paving way for adequate cultural identity,” he said.

He said that no nation could attain a state of national identity without cultural identity.

“This first specialised institution to teach culture-NACUS- is a bold step and innovation of the Tinubu administration.

“With the approval of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the consent of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, it is here on note that the government of Nigeria will begin to view culture as an important element in Nigerians’ daily lives.”

Ajiboye explained that the move to rebrand the institution was one of the biggest efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to ensure Nigerian youths were made proficient and prominent in issues of entertainment and fintech.

He said this would also ensure the creation of job opportunities through the nation’s cultural heritage. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged political leaders to project the beauty of the nation’s cultural diversity.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson of the Vice-President, in a statement on Saturday, said Shettima made the call during conferment of the Chieftaincy title of Asiwaju of Ijebuland on Dr Sulaiman Adegunwa.

According to the statement, the ceremony held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Shettima emphasised the importance of service to humanity and peaceful coexistence in the country.

He conveyed greetings from President Bola Tinubu, describing the new Asiwaju as “a worthy son of the soil, a leader committed to entrenching peaceful coexistence across the length and breadth of the nation.”

Shettima said: ” the event we are all gathered here to witness is not just one that celebrates the intertwining between leadership and culture but indeed the essence of humanity which is service.

“As beautiful as we all look in the various attires we are putting on, so is the beauty in our diversity, so is the beauty of our heritage, so is the beauty of our cultures which bellies in our age-long tradition.”

He called on Adegunwa to see his new role as a call to service and a reminder that, “what we owe this country is a sacrifice for love, tolerance and total dedication.”

Recounting Adegunwa’s inspiring story of success, Shettima noted that, “the story of Baba is successful yet very motivational, that for every man that strives to succeed there is no way the doors would not be open.

“On our part, we shall continue to partner with well-meaning Nigerians to ensure that for everyone that sacrifices and strives to succeed despite the challenges we face as a nation, we shall leave no stone unturned in giving them all the support.

“I wish Dr Adegunwa a most meritorious and legacy-filled Chieftaincy. May your era bring bountiful peace, love, and progress to this beautiful land. Thank you and God bless,” he added.

In his remarks, Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, congratulated Dr Adegunwa, recounting his journey from a small photo studio to investments in banking, real estate, agriculture, and education.

“Today, Baba Dr Adegunwa is installed with the distinguished title of the Asiwaju of Ijebuland.

“I am confident that the new Asiwaju will bring his wealth of experience and personal attributes, courage and philanthropy to discharge his new role admirably to the Ijebu people.”

Also, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna II, who conferred the Chieftaincy title, commended Dr Adegunwa and his wife for distinguishing themselves in character and their fields of endeavour.

He also applauded their contributions to the community’s economic well-being.

Oba Adetona, who has been on the throne for 64 years, said the palace had observed the Adegunwa with “joy and pride”.

“They exhibited uncanny and unblemished sagacity, honesty and integrity and uncommon development in Ijebuland”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Taiye Olayemi

The Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Christophe Bazivamo, has called on African leaders to unanimously create a visa free policy to guarantee seamless travels and boost tourism within the region.

Bazivamo made the call during the 48th Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), held on Thursday in Lagos.

According to him, Rwanda has implemented a visa free policy and has been able to boost its economy through this.

He said due to the nation’s visa free tourism policy, Rwanda’s MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) recorded a significant growth of 48 per cent in two years, from 2022 to 2023.

“Africa is full of breathtaking natural tourism sites but in spite of such vast assets, the economy is not as vibrant as it should be.

“We need a visa free Africa to facilitate investment, trade and tourism within the region.

“In Rwanda, our visa free tourism policy has boosted our economy. As Africans, we should not be bothered about security issues, we have the population and the resources to unlock our economic potential.

“MICE industry in Rwanda has risen by 48 per cent in the last 2 years due to our visa free tourism policy. This can be replicated across the region,” he said.

Also, Mr Ikechi Uko, a tourism development expert, said it was high time Africans took advantage of their huge population to grow their economy by opening the borders within the region.

According to Uko, trade will be impossible without travels and the major factor to facilitate seamless travels is to have open skies across Africa.

Mr Nkereuwem Onung, National President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), said: “by promoting travel within the continent, we pave the way for deeper cultural exchanges, stronger business collaborations, and increased investment flows.

“Let us envision a future where Nigeria can work hand in hand with other countries to create a seamless and interconnected travel experience.

“The potential benefits are immense. Increased tourism will not only lead to job creation and economic growth but will also foster a sense of unity and understanding among us as a nation.

“It is through travel and tourism that we can truly appreciate and celebrate our common heritage.” (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Taiye Olayemi

Rainbow Tourism Group, a hospitality company in Zimbabwe, and Grand Metropolitan Hotels, a European hotel company, have unveiled an online booking engine to facilitate seamless bookings for travellers across Africa and beyond.

Mr Tendai Madziwanyika, Chief Executive, Rainbow Tourism Group, said this in a statement on Tuesday.

Madziwanyika said that the partnership had brought together the expertise and resources of two industry leaders to provide a user-friendly, efficient, and secure online platform for guests to book hotel accommodation.

He said the online booking engine would offer a comprehensive selection of hotels, resorts, and lodges operated by the two companies as well as partners listed on the platform, allowing travellers to easily explore and reserve their desired accommodation.

“With the increasing popularity of online travel bookings, the launch of this booking engine comes at an opportune time.

“Travellers from around the world will now have direct access to the diverse range of hospitality properties offered by the two entities.

“The platform will provide real-time availability, competitive rates, and detailed information about each property, enabling guests to make informed decisions and secure their bookings effortlessly,” he said.

Madziwanyika noted that the online booking engine would be integrated seamlessly into the websites of companies and ensuring a smooth and intuitive user experience.

He said guests would be able to browse through various accommodation options, view high-quality images, and access detailed descriptions of each property’s amenities, services, and local attractions.

According to him, the platform will feature a secured payment gateway, enabling guests to make reservations with confidence and peace of mind.

Also, Mr Martin Smura, Chairman and President of Grand Metropolitan Hotels, said, “Through this partnership, we aim to showcase the unique offerings of all listed properties to a wider audience and facilitate seamless bookings for travelers planning their visit to Africa and beyond.

“Travellers seeking exceptional accommodations in Africa and beyond are encouraged to explore the platform and take advantage of the convenience and benefits it offers.” (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Deborah Coker

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has called for a cultural and spiritual reawakening of its people following the conclusion of the Amaseikumor Festival in Gbaramatu, Delta.

Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, INC, made the call on Saturday in a communique assessing and dissecting the activities showcased at the five-day festival.

Okaba called on the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism to support and popularise the Amaseikumor festival.

He stated that ljaw culture remained a strong identity of the people and as such would be promoted for its uniqueness and civilisation.

According to him, the INC uses this period of Amaseikumor to call for cultural and spiritual reawakening of the Ijaw people to the common cause and showing ijaw wealth to the world.

“Tourism, besides natural resources is a major foreign exchange earner around the world.

“Not only in petroleum, which is a fleeting resource but also in the arts, tradition, culture and hospitality of Ijaw people.

“Countries like Brazil, Egypt, Israel and others survive very well on income from tourism.

“Gbaramatu is rich in culture, just as it is rich in oil; the investment possibilities and potentials in culture is open to investors both in the public and private sectors.”

Okaba added that cultural festivals bring people together and foster unity.

“By celebrating our cultural heritage, it is easy to break stereotypes, promote social cohesion, encourage dialogue and boost local economies.

“The 2024 Amaseikumor festival featured songs, dance and drama all through the five days of commemoration and this festival has contributed to building a more inclusive and harmonious society.

“The festival was an acknowledgement of man as an embodiment of body, soul and spirit which was re-enacted in dance and song to commemorate the spiritual roots of the Gbaramatu people.

“It was truly an observance filled with spiritual and physical joy. The great hospitality of the Gbaramatu community was on display, as invited guests came from far and near and were all thoroughly enthralled.

“The ambience all through the event was that of peace and tranquility. No single incidence of violence, not even simple affrays which are common in such large social gatherings.

“This confirms ljaws as very peaceful people, contrary to some revisionist public commentators and quasi-intellectuals who like to label them as violent people. ljaws are free spirited & peace loving people”, he said.

The INC president further felicitated warmly and congratulated the kingdom on the successful celebration of the annual festival.

“It was five days of world class cultural display and theatre showcasing Ijaw civilisation and tradition at its very finest,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne