By Taiye Olayemi

The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has celebrated the African culture with dance and quiz competition, in commemoration of the 2023 Day of African Child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day of the African Child is celebrated annually on June 16.

The Day is set aside to commemorate the SOWETO children’s uprising of the 1976.

During this day in 1976, thousands of South African students protested the apartheid government’s use of Afrikaans as their language of instruction in Bantu schools.

The event with the theme, “African Culture: African Pride,” held at the University of Ibadan.

Children from various schools engaged in indigenous dances, news casting in local languages and quiz competitions, while they learnt vital aspects of African culture.

Chief Oluwabunmi Amao, Director-General, CBAAC,  said that the centre deliberately brought children from diverse backgrounds together to celebrate their unique cultures and foster understanding.

Represented by Mr David Uzuegbu, CBAAC’s Head of Ibadan Operations, Amao said the event served as an avenue for young minds from secondary schools within Ibadan to showcase their understanding of their rich culture and heritage.

She said that the theme of the programme was inspired by the urgent need to refocus attention on African’s  eroding culture, norms and values.

She said this was by way of reorientation and socialisation of the values, attitudes of adolescents and the need to make them take pride in their rich cultures.

“It must be noted that the negative behaviours observed among our youths in the recent times, due to decayed value system has assumed a very worrisome dimension.

“Our children’s mindsets need to be transformed and guided to the right direction, from the current negative trends.

“Our culture is strong enough to build and imbibe a good character in our children in order to become great in the future,” she said.

Amao explaned that CBAAC was saddled with the mandate of preserving, promoting and propagating the cultural heritage of Black and African people globally.

” This is usually done through arts exhibition, cultural festivals, performance, conferences, lectures,workshops among others.

“Through our numerous activities, the centre has continued to contribute to the pool of universal knowledge on Black and African people,” she said

On the need to uphold African culture of respect, Odunola Lawal, who was the ‘Mother of the Day,’ said,  “You all must behave like true African children, cultivate the habit of being respectful, and appreciating others.”

Also, Dr Seyifunmi Olutayo, Director, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, urged children to learn and emulate the culture, norms and values of the land.

The Perfect Wisdom College bagged the first position in the dancing competition, Jummah Comprehensive College & Everest Private school, came second, Gift High School got third, while Emmanuel College got the fourth position.

Also, for indigenous news casting competition, Shining Stars College took first position, Emmanuel College emerged second, Abadina College came third while Isabatudeen Girls Grammar School got fourth position.

The winning schools were compensated with prizes and all the students were given certificate of participation.

There was also oral poetry presentation which educated the children on the beauty of African culture. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Taiye Olayemi

A tourism expert, Mr Ayo Omotosho, has emphasised the need for local communities to benefit optimally from the exploration of their tourism potential.

Omotosho, who is the President of Travelogue Communications L.td., made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that tourism was a tool that could be used to drive revenue inflow as well as increase employment creation, among others.

The tourism expert said there was the need to create more awareness on such opportunities, which the upcoming Destination Tourism Show would aim to achieve.

Omotosho said that the show, holding in Lagos, with the theme, “Celebrating Diversity in Tourism and Hospitality”, was the fifth edition of such.

He said that the programme, slated for Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, would help to promote community-based tourism through the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos.

According to him, the programme would feature Lagos Local Government Tourism Market, (LLGTM) with a roadshow to communities, giving those communities visibility.

“ The 5th Destination Tourism show holds from 29th to 30th November 2023 at Freedom Park and Eko Hotels respectively.

“This year’s destination tourism show will have a special focus on community-based tourism.”

He said that tourism officers from each of the local government area in Lagos would expose the tourism potential within their local government to the public.

“This will give room for proper education on tourism and in the long run, help to market those potential for improved wealth creation.

“This is to add tourism values and sensitise both the state and local authorities in Lagos to increase the capacity of local governments to generate and earn tourism revenue.

“ The roadshow on community-based tourism will provide an opportunity for business to busines (B2B) and a showcase of handicrafts, including a tantalising journey through local cuisines.”

Omotosho noted that through the roadshow, the needed education would be created.

This, according to him, will create more employment opportunities for the youths in the local communities.

” It will also open windows of development for tourism assets and infrastructure in the local government.”

Omotosho said to encourage others to do more, those who had done well in tourism, culture travel trade and allied services would be recognised on the second day of the programme.

” These include local government chairmen who supported community-based tourism development in their various communities in Lagos.”

The tourism expert said the event would enrich the participants, particularly the conference session which would be an eye-opener and help in attracting investors

“Tourism opens minds to unlimited opportunities and there are lots of tourism business opportunities in the local communities,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

By Taiye Olayemi

Tour operators say the crave for leisure and recreation by  Nigerians  is fast  diminishing owing to rising cost of living.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the operators also expressed concern about poor patronage owing  to the development.

Nigerians, globally recognised  as fun lovers , now have to  consider survival over other things as the cost of living continues to soar.

Tour operators are professionals who package  tours to local and international tourist sites.

The tour operators ,who spoke to  NAN, attributed the cause of the  low patronage to high cost of air and road travels,  resulting from  fuel price hike.

Mr Jibola Oluseye, Chief Executive Officer, iTravels and Tours ,said business had not been good since the beginning of 2023.

Oluseye said he had  only  packaged two tours in  2023, just two fewer than the four tours he packaged in 2022.

According to him, business was better before the  increase in fuel pump price  and outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

He observed that many Nigerians were now  relocating abroad to live temporarily or permanently owing to the economic situation in the country.

Oluseye noted that to continue to be  in business, he had to create beach camping activities for his clients, because it is less expensive unlike lodging in  hotels.

“Since the beginning of 2023, rate of travels has dropped, people now take interest in traveling abroad than exploring attractions within the nation.

“Change of government, elections and cash crunch,have  also affected our business drastically, but even after all these,  increase in transportation cost  is discouraging people from going for leisure.

“Surviving in the industry demands being creative, engaging in collaborations and having prior knowledge of the facilities an intending visitor is to be lodged,” he said.

Oluseye urged hoteliers and other service providers in the hospitality value chain to desist from marketing products visitors would not eventually gain access to.

He said this had been a problematic issue,affecting  trust  between tour operators  and their clients.

“Service providers in the hospitality industry are not helping us, like hotels.

“They advertise certain services ,but at the end of the day, visitors don’t gain access to such services, projecting tour operators as liars,” he said.

Also, Mrs Maryann Onuoha, Chief Executive Officer, Bella Maria Travels and Tours, noted that Nigerians now travel more for educational and relocation purposes as traveling for leisure drops.

Onuoha said this development had been observed since post COVID-19 era ,but had become more pronounced  since the beginning of 2023.

She blamed the development on increase in price of air ticket, and difficulty in accessing forex by travellers.

“Travels have taken a different dimension. Before now, many people  always travelled for leisure easily as air tickets and visas were cheaper and affordable.

“Before COVID-19, tickets to Dubai could be as low as N200,000 and it was common to see a family of five or more to  travel for leisure.

“But  after COVID-19, Nigerians coming to me are only coming for relocation and educational purposes to Canada, U.S. and  others.”

She said that tickets to western nations cost as high as N800,000 and more, depending on the location.

“Indeed tourism for leisure, events and conferencing have been low, Nigerians now survival over other things,including leisure.

“Before now, I  used to package over 100 tours in a year, but now, I can hardly boast of 10 in a year,” she said.

On his part, Olamilekan Omotosho, Founder of Omotosho Travels and Tours in Kwara , who specialises in marketing tourist sites in  the state ,said he had opted to work as a tour guide owing to low patronage.

He said hike in the price of fuel seriously impacted his business as it had significantly increased transportation cost to the  tourist sites in the state.

“People  run away  on hearing the cost of travelling  to those sites”,he said.

He ,however, urged government at different levels to work assiduously to improve the economy to ease the sufferings of the masses.

According to him, leisure should be a way of life and not a  luxury.

“ Owu Waterfalls is over four  hours drive from Ilorin, also the ancient museum is equally far, people are discouraged from  visiting these attractions due to high cost of transportation .

“ The last tour I packaged after a long time was on Sept. 20. People are also discouraged because of insecurity and poor basic amenities in most tourist destinations.” (NAN) (nannews.ng).

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

By Taiye Olayemi

Prof. Gbenga Fasiku, Director, Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has called on African leaders to work unanimously to promote peaceful co-existence within the continent.

Fasiku made the call during the commemoration of the Black History Month organised by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC).

He said this was to strengthen African identity and promote the African spirit of excellence, most especially in the area of Arts.

The programme, held virtually and physically, had its theme as “The Contributions of Africans to the Arts”.

He said that in view of the success stories always recorded in African arts, music, literature, fashion and all, Africans must remain united to sustain, maintain and improve on the successes.

“In the face of seemingly continuous regime of recolonisation, Can African arts ever be allowed to perform its functions?

” One of which is to drive genuine African emancipation, redefine African true consciousness, develop and lead Africa into her rightful position as a world power.

“ This is clarion call to African leaders to unite and strengthen the Africa identity, which will hydrate the African spirit of excellence in all facet of life.

“At the Grammy Awards this year, Nigerian singer Tems came fringed in ostrich feathers and at the Cannes Film Festival, a young French-Senegalese director, Ramata-Toulaye Sy was a breakout star.

“African fashion had its own shows in Paris and Milan. In Venice, Africa is the focus of this year’s Architectural Biennale.

“Last year, an architect from Burkina Faso won the prestigious Pritzker Prize. In 2021, Tanzania-born Abdulrazak Gurnah won the Nobel Prize in Literature.”

He said many African artistes have continued to make serious impact.

” We must work on ensuring peaceful co-existence in order to create more success stories,” he said.

Fasiku said the contributions of Africans to arts were observed to be driven by the African souls, which represent the cultural consciousness that define the identity of Africans.

He said it was instructive to note that African arts play dual roles as it served as a source of aesthetic pleasure to the artists.

” And as expressions of the artists’ inner being, that represents the African’s shared identity.

 “Therefore, African sculptures are distinctively or peculiarly African, because they represent the soul of Africa,” he added.

Haven identified the numerous contributions coming from the Africanists, Fasiku noted that it was correct to assert that Africa had reshaped and still reshaping the narrative of art history over the last 50 years.

He added that Africans’ contributions to the growth of arts had brought about novel, interdisciplinary, Africa-centered approaches which had all changed the face of global arts. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Taiye Olayemi 

The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has commended Nigerian afrobeats star, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema for an outstanding performance during 2023 Ballon d’Or awards held in Paris.

Its Director-General, Mrs Oluwabunmi Amao who recounted how electrifying Rema’s performance was, said Africans had contributed significantly to global arts and  entertainment growth over the years.

Amao, during the 2023 Black History Month celebration organised by the centre with the theme “The Contributions of Africans to the Arts” noted that quite a number of blacks have continue to make notable contributions to the growth of arts.

The programme held at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun State was done virtually and physically.

She said just like in the sciences and engineering, black Africa had made giant strides in the arts and its different facets such as music, literature, fashion, filmmaking, performing arts and many others in the modern world.

“I had the opportunity of watching the performance of one of Africa’s finest pop musicians called Rema at the World largest football award ceremony, the 2023 Ballon d’Or and indeed it was a very proud moment for me as an African and a Nigerian.

“I watched with admiration how Rema held his audience spellbound at this prestigious event. 

“Indeed, this was a typical example of the contributions of Africans in the area of music and it is little wonder, that many believe music is Africa’s and Nigeria’s biggest export in the creative industry.

“It is only right that we continue to recognise, celebrate and honour Africans who have made significant contributions not just in the arts but the various facets of live.”

Amao noted that the black history month celebration had been deliberately organised to create platform for advocacy to the children.

She urged students present to take pride in their Africanness and black identity.

“I want you all to be conscious of the fact that your African identity is never a limitation to what you can achieve and become in life.

“Pls take deliberate efforts to acquaint yourselves with African history.

“We have carefully instituted this event to celebrate and appreciate black and African history, as well as reecho the giant strides of Africans over forces of domination, discrimination and exploitation.

“Our celebration of the Black History Month is also geared towards showcasing to the world the tremendous contributions of Black people to world civilisation.’

The D-G noted that the black history month celebration began in the United States as Negro History Week and instituted by the renowned African-American historian, Dr Carter Woodson.

She said the sole aim was to protest the exclusion of the contributions of African Americans from history textbooks in the United States.

According to her, since it began nearly a century ago, the celebration of the black history month had grown and gained global acceptance.

Earlier, Prof Gbenga Fasiku, Director, Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife described music rendered by David Adeleke, “Davido” and majority of Nigerian artistes as distinctive.

Also, Prof Adetayo Ogunlewe, professor of literature and cultural studies, Lagos State University explained that Africans’ contributions toward world civilisation was mostly from literature, with minimal from history. 

He said Africans must work on liberating themselves from mental colonisation which was responsible in perceiving African culture as inferior.

“Pls be proud of your colour, regardless of what you are called. In Africa, we take pride in honour, integrity and achievements.

“We all must continue to work hard to ensure we remain people of integrity, great honour and loaded with achievements,” he said.

The event witnessed series of beautiful cultural performances by different cultural troupes and drama l, as well as poetry presentations. 

Students present for the programme were all made to speak on what the black history month means to them, reawakening their consciousness to the beauty of being an African. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi
 

By Taiye Olayemi

Goge Africa, a media and culture brand has won the Destination Award as tourism promoters for the year 2023.

Presenting the award, Mr Oluwadunsin Oluwasuji, said that Nneka and Isaac Moses, Founders of Goge Africa, had been known for showcasing the rich cultural and natural heritage of Lagos State and Africa.

Oluwasuji, the organiser of the award, in a statement said they were also known for their multiple-award winning programme, “Goge Africa”, which had been promoting local tourism, African destinations and investment opportunities worldwide.

He said the event placed the spotlight firmly on Lagos, known for its aquatic splendour, as it recognised and honored outstanding brands.

“These prestigious awards are a testament to the unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions of brands in enhancing tourist experience, bolstering Lagos’ reputation as a must-visit destination and the state’s revenue through tourism.”

In his acceptance speech, Chief Executive Officer of Goge Africa, Amb. Isaac Moses, expressed deep gratitude to the group.

“ We are deeply honored to receive this award. The story of Goge Africa cannot be told without the mention of Lagos, where the idea was conceived and nurtured into the global brand it is today.

The best fun destination for kids in Lagos went to Hakuna Matata Theme Park, while Jara Beach Resort won the best managed resort in Lagos and Landmark Beach emerged the best tourism destination in Lagos.

Eko Hotel and Suites won the best hotel in Lagos; Nike Centre for Arts and Culture bagged the best gallery and museum in Lagos while Terra Kulture won the best cultural centre in Lagos.

The Arcs and Glass Award for the best architectural firm in Lagos went to James Cubitt & Partners.

Reddington Multi-Specialist Hospital emerged the best hospital in Lagos; Pablo by Cubana won the best nightclub in Lagos; Ofada Boi became the best Indigenous Restaurant in Lagos and Eric Kayser won the best restaurant in Lagos.

Other notable awardees include Dayo Adedayo of Dayo Adedayo Photography; Wanle Akinboboye, Founder, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort as well as Mark and Millie Slade, Founders of Jara Beach Resort.

Also, Lucia Shittu, Founder, Artelier Concierge & City Connect by Artelier Tannaz Banham; Founder of Lost in Lagos, Olumide Osunsinam; Managing Director, Megamound Investments Ltd; and Titiloye Ashamu, Founder, Ethnikologie. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Christiana Fadare

By Taiye Olayemi

Tomi Olatunbode, Creative Director, Spazio Ideale, on Friday said well-designed spaces can make life more comfortable, efficient, and joyful thereby encouraging Nigerians to embrace this often under-appreciated art form.

Olatunbode disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the ongoing 2023 edition Design Week Lagos: Made by Design Home and Hospitality Show in Lagos.

She said many were of the opinion that interior design was an elitist affair but everyone needed to embrace it for its benefits.

According to her, interior design was capable of brightening an individual mood with a functional space put in place, also tackling the problem of stress.

She noted that for corporate organisations, it helps in the area of brand association and employee engagement.

“Interior design play very important role in our life today, making our lifestyle more modern and stylish, it helps to uplift our mood.

“Interior designers can come up with designs in spaces that would help individuals who are stressed get relieved after each day’s work.

“ This is possible because the design on any space should factor in the personalities of those who live in it as well as their requirements, objectives.

“Interior design is for everyone, the way our spaces are designed affect who we are, how we think and our mood. Designs can change our outlook.

“Our homes can be designed in such a way for us to gain more inspiration to achieve our goals. We can design to make an individual feel he is close to achieving his goals,” she said.

Olatunbode advised Nigerians who were not financially bouyant to engage the services of an interior designer to seek knowledge on YouTube and other social media handles.

Speaking on her challenges as an interior designer, she said her main challenge was gaining access to quality and affordable materials as well as artisans locally.

She said poor power supply, and hike in diesel price, manufacturers of products used for designs face difficulties during production and the cost of those products had become expensive.

Olatunbode, however, urged the Federal Government to take deliberate efforts in tackling the problem of epileptic power supply across the country.

“If the product industry is supported, then materials can be much more affordable and then the masses will be able to afford the services we render.

“ For Spazio Ideale, we are an extremely creative campany, we believe that what we do is beyond imagination and we connect people to spaces through exceptional designs, so design is big for us.

“ We are people of details, we engage in experiencial designs,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exhibition will run from Oct. 19 to 22 with over 28 local and international exhibitors on ground.

Spazio Ideale’s Designs is one of those exhibiting in Lagos and nothing short of a revelation, demonstrating the transformative power of creative design.

By merging the past with the future, infusing African style, and embracing innovative products like the Itunu Comfort Desk, Spazio Ideale is at the forefront of shaping the future of African design. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Taiye Olayemi

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has collaborated with the SKaL Club International to harness and promote Nigerian culture and tourism potential to the global communities.

Its Director-General, Chief Olusegun Runsewe, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

Runsewe stated that the agreement was reached when he received a delegation from SKal Club International, led by its President, Mr Daisi Olotu in Abuja.

He added that the agreement aimed at promoting global tourism.

“NCAC has cemented a pact with SKal Club International; a professional organisation whose mandate is to promote global tourism, friendship and harness the huge tourism potentials in Nigeria for the global market.

“Nigeria with enormous tourism potentials and home to about 250 ethnic groups and 500 distinct languages, endowed with a plethora of historical sites, monuments, and richly diverse cultural heritages is a tourist heaven.”

He noted that despite its huge potentials, tourism as an alternative source of revenue to crude oil had been neglected for many years owing to the country’s heavy reliance on the mono product.

He said that in many other countries, culture and tourism were the main stay of their economy.

According to him, the benefits to Nigeria’s tourism sector will be enormous,

” If its tourism potentials is well harnessed and marketed as a veritable tourist destination.”

Runsewe said that the value chain of Nigeria’s tourism potential range from the hospitality sector to aviation and transportation.

Othera are destination management, souvenir production, event packaging, carnivals, festivals and cultural promotions and more.

He said the opportunities of leveraging this key growth sector to create jobs and add to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) were limitless as no one could be regarded as a failure in the sector.

He noted that the platform created by Skal International would help in marketing the nation’s unique cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and warm hospitality to the world.

According to him, it will also create a distinct and compelling brand identity through collaborative marketing campaigns, both domestically and internationally.

Earlier, Olotu said the purpose of the visit was to identify with NCAC director-general who had remained a constant phenomenon in the tourism, arts and culture space in Nigeria.

He said the group was proud to be associated with Nigeria’s favourite culture and tourism ambassador whose passion and drive on his job in this sector was evidently unrivaled.

He noted that SKal Club International with headquarters in Torremolinos, Spain was founded 89 years ago with a mandate to promote global tourism, friendship and unite all sectors of the tourism industry.

He also sought ways of collaboration with NCAC to harness and market Nigeria’s tourism potentials globally.

The visit featured an interactive session where the visitors bore their minds on sundry challenges militating against their smooth operations and ways to overcome them. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Dorcas Elusogbon

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has pleaded with Nigerians to persevere with President Bola Tinubu’s administration in view of the current economic situation.

Ooni made the appeal during the visitation to his family compound as grand-finale of Olojo Annual Festival at Oketase area, Ile-Ife on Monday.

He admitted that Nigeria is currently at its trial period when the citizens are facing a lot of challenges in all ramifications of life.

“I know that people are passing through difficult period in which they are not finding life easy and truly this is a challenging period.

“But I know that after this festival, normalcy would return to the country, as the problems we’re facing will soon come to an end,” he stated.

The royal father admonished all and sundry to endure more and ensure their support for their leaders, saying by doing this, there would be great achievements.

“We are almost getting there, for gold has to pass through fire before becoming shinning. Government alone cannot do it without the cooperation of the masses.

“Therefore, let all hands be on deck for a tree cannot make a forest, neither any nation can get to his promised land without the contribution of the generality,” Oba Ogunwusi stated. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede