By Taiye Olayemi

The Oloja of Lagos, Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, on Wednesday urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the legacies of his projenitor, late Morounfolu Eshinlokun, popularly called “Kosoko”.

Olojo-Kosoko made the call when officials of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture paid a visit to his palace in Ereko, Lagos.

The traditional ruler, who relayed historical facts on the emergence of Lagos State from the lineage of his projenitor explained that late Kosoko who was the first Oloja in Lagos was instrumental to the highly enterprising nature of the state.

He described late Kosoko as a very powerful, well revered and wealthy man who traded in slaves extensively and well loved by many.

He said that  Eshinlokun acquired the nickname, Kosoko, because of  circumstances surrounding his several births and deaths.

“ The last time Kosoko reincarnated he came back with two stones which are still available at his palace.

“ Kosoko’s metaphysical power is linked to these stones and one other one added to it in the course of his life which are now called “Esu ori omi”, “Esu ori ile and Ota Inu omi”.

“ These are what made Kosoko what he is today in Ereko here”.

“ Kosoko’s deities are still alive till today, people do not come to Kosoko palace and say evil, it will happen. There are places people can not go here, if they do, they can loose their testicles or sight or even a woman can menstruate till death.

“So, many things are attached to Kosoko,” he said.

Speaking on how kingship was transferred down, Oloja-Kosoko said Eshinlokun, Kosoko’s father, was far away in Mayin River, now known as Epe, when his father, (Ologun Kutere), died and Adele Ajose was crowned king of Lagos.

He said Kosoko came back unhappy and this created division within Iga Iduganran Palace.

He explained that Adele was married to an Oyo woman who introduced Egun masquerade to the town but the people view such as a negative deity and so decided to use that against him so he relocated to the western shore of Lagos colony, now called Badagry

According to him, Eshinlokun was then crowned king of Lagos and his reign witnessed a boom in slave business and Kosoko got the title as the only heir to the throne.

He said this was in obedience to the dictate of the then Oba of Benin who said the first son of the king should become the next king after the death of the ruling king.

“Eshinlokun expanded his slave business wider to Dahomey, Porte Novo and all and this made him citizen to over 4 different countries aside Nigeria.

“Also, in the course of Kosoko’s movement and trade in slavery, Eshinloye died after 25 years on the throne, Kosoko was not in town so they had to bring in his younger brother, Idewu who became the king of Lagos.

“Later Kosoko came back to realise his brother had been crowned and all the slaves Kosoko inherited from his father came together to say they wanted him to be king but his mother took him and his siblings to her private residence at Ita-Kose, known as the levy collecting house to pacify them.

“Kososko later accepted his brother as king but Idewu knowing who Kosoko was decided to pronounce him as “Oloja of Ereko”in 1833.

“As the Oloja of Ereko, Kosoko collects levies and gives whatever he choses to his brother but the people do not like Idewu so they went to Kosoko to tell him to take over.

“That was the point when politics and back-biting began in the kingship selection in Lagos,” he said.

The traditional ruler  noted that because the people did not  like Idewu, he was made to open the pot of secrecy which would warrant him to either commit suicide or leave the throne.

”So, he eventually commited suicide without giving birth to any child.”

Olojo-Kosoko said that after all these, another woman, Efunroye Tinubu, reached an agreement with Kosoko to continue as the Oloja of Ereko as he allowed his uncle,  Adele become the king which he conceded to.

He said this made Tinubu also become Iya Oloja of Lagos but not long, Adele died when Kosoko was not around and the stool of oba of Lagos became a mirage and before Kosoko’s return, Oluwole, son to Adele was crowned.

He said upon Kosoko’s return, he was not happy about the development, there were rancour and Eletu-Idigbo, the kingmaker who had been having issues with Kosoko was contacted to consult Ifa.

According to him, Ifa revealed Kosoko as the next king but Eletu-Idigbo intensionally pronounced Oluwole as the king.

“This led to Kosoko and his siblings assasinating Oluwole whose corpse could only be recognised with his beads later.

“There after, Akitoye was crowned the king of Lagos.

“Kosoko experienced series of betrayals, one of such occasions, he beheaded his wife in the presence of some British slave merchants and killed some of them as well.

“The British got angry and this led to the bombardment of Lagos in Dec. 1851.

“So, that era of kingship tussle experienced four wars: Ogun Konilegbele, Ogun Ewe Koko, Ogun Olomiro and Ogun Awoyaya,” he said.

According to the traditional ruler, after several years of  kingship tussle and Kosoko went on exile, a treaty of peace was signed by all parties including Kosoko, the British assured him that there will be peace.

He said Kosoko only came out of exile after 9 years of signing the treaty while the British assured him of being paid $10,000 annually but he had to stop the slave business.

“Epetedo and Ereko palace springed up as a result of getting a place for Kosoko to stay. His merchants and loyalists stayed in Epetedo and he came back as the Oloja of Lagos, while he stayed in Ereko here,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Idowu Johnson, Director of Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, said the council was out to harness the authentic history of Lagos State through traditional rulers that ruled before the emergence of the state.

Johnson said this would help in proper preservation and marketing of the state as a choice destination to intending tourists. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Opeyemi Gbemiro

Ekiti Commissioner of Arts, culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Rasaki Ojo-Bakare has said that the State Performing Arts Company will be on a performance tour in Netherlands from Sept. 27 to Oct. 8.

Ojo-Bakare made the disclosure to newsmen on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.

According to the commissioner who is the leader of the delegation, the serial award-winning troupe will be in the Northwestern European country for performances.

He said, “While in Netherlands, the troupe will have a 2-hour command performance on Oct. 1, for the Nigerian community at The Hague in commemoration of the Nigerian Independence Anniversary.

“The Troupe will also perform on Oct. 4, at Wassernneer for the diplomatic corp to commemorate the National Day, before storming the Nollywood Festival 2023 in Amsterdam on Oct. 5..”

Ojo- Bakare added that the troupe will use the opportunity of the tour to impress international stakeholders to attract international investors to Ekiti creative and tourism sectors.

While hailing the State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for funding the trip, he said the troupe will return to Ekiti on Oct.8, to continue with the preparations for a command performance of “Fajuyi”, a stage play holding on Oct. 14.(NAN)(nannews.ng).

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The National Park Service (NPS) and Sayari Dunia Sustainable Tourism Foundation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on biodiversity conservation and tourism sustainability.

A statement signed by the founder of the Foundation, Ms Abigail Olagbaye on Tuesday in Abuja, said the Conservator General of the NPS, Dr Ibrahim Goni, said the partnership would contribute to the diversification of the economy.

“The partnership will provide a platform for the two organisations to rub minds and expound on specific targets and objectives hinged on the advancement of tourism sustainability.

“We hope for positive outcomes and that the two organisations would live up to expectations that will reposition sustainable tourism in Nigeria,” Goni said.

According to Olagbaye, the five-year partnership covers sustainable tourism, eco tourism, climate action, green trade, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, advocacy, training and capacity building, among others.

“Of particular importance is the impact and opportunities this partnership will create for youths, women, communities and MSMEs.

“The National Park Service manages 17 national parks in Nigeria, some of which include Gashaka Gumpti National Park, Old Oyo National Park, Kainji Lake National Park, Kamuku National Park, Okomu National Park etc.

“The partnership comes into effect immediately, just as the foundation unveils some of its advocacy programmes for Nigeria and Africa.

“It aligns its programmes in support of the implementation of global and continental treaties, agreements and frameworks that scale, develop, promote, enhance, protect and sustain tourism development in Nigeria and Africa,” she said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

========

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Taiye Olayemi

The newly sworn-in Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, says the state tourism sector is about to witness a new era of development never seen before.

A statement issued by the ministry on Friday, said that Benson-Awoyinka made the remark when she addressed  management and members of staff of the ministry on assumption of duty.

Benson-Awoyinka, who  addressed the staff alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, affirmed their readiness to start work immediately.

She, however, solicited the cooperation of the workforce and tourism stakeholders toward attaining the vision of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the sector in the state.

“Standing before you are two people ready to work from day one and tourism is about to witness a level of development never seen before. Please, we solicit your cooperation to make this a reality,” she said.

Earlier, while welcoming the commissioner and special adviser to the ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Oloruntoyin Atekoja, said the ministry was glad to have them.

Atekoja pledged the full cooperation and support of the workforce in ensuring that their set goals and objectives are achieved. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Priscilla Osaje

The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) has urged the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade- John, to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to reposition the Nigerian tourism sector.

Mr Nkereuwem Onung, National President, FTAN, who made the call during a courtesy visit to the minister on Thursday in Abuja, said tourism had contributed immensely to the country`s economy.

Onung said that effective collaboration would help in promoting investment opportunities, and economic potential of the sector for national growth and development.

“We earnestly trust and believe you will bring to bear Nigeria as a country that should enormously rely on the Tourism Industry for the immense economic values it has to offer.

“We are sure that such will increase government revenue earnings, create jobs, reduce poverty among others,” he said.

The president called for the formation of a forum of all state Commissioners for Tourism across the country.

He said that the forum would afford stakeholders the opportunity to discuss development issues in the sector.

“We may have to address the thorny issue of ‘Grading and Classification of Tourism and Hospitality establishments.

“We should have in place standard operation patterns for tourism and hospitality establishments in the country in line with global best practices,“he said.

He urged the Federal Government to devise means to implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that will creates jobs, and promote culture and products.

Onung urged the minister to revisit the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) started more than two decades ago but was inconclusive.

He said that Nigeria cannot talk about developing the tourism industry without a roadmap.

The president said that states should be encouraged to develop and have a tourism Master Plan, that will serve as a roadmap and guide in the implementation of their tourism development programmes.

He appealed to the minster to ensure that the World Tourism Day event was celebrated with government and organised private sector, to chart new trajectories for the sector in line with UNWTO themes.

Responding, Ade-John said that the sector would become the sector that could drive the country`s economy.

According to her, the tourism sector is supposed to be the number one revenue earner in the country aside the petroleum sector.

“On a serious note, my background is technology and I believe in data and information which is the main key to effective decision making”.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

======

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Taiye Olayemi

Ogun has emerged the overall winner at the 16th International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC) held in Abuja.

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), organiser of the expo made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the expo on Saturday.

Runsewe commended the efforts of participants who came from the 16 states.

He said everyone could be considered the winner of the expo but the outstanding performance of Ogun delegates could not go unnoticed.

Reacting, Mrs Oluwatosin Oloko, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said it was s a well- deserved award.

She said more energy would be channelled towards performing better in subsequent editions of the expo and other national cultural events.

Amb. Masudur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria said: “We have seen the electrifying performances from Ogun with colourful attires all through, they deserve it. I say congratulations to them”

Also, Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria said ” I am excited to see how the expo has been over the past days with the display of beautiful culture across nations and states. We need to work together to create a better future.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rivers and Taraba got 2nd position, Katsina and Kwara clinched the 3rd position, Kaduna and Ebonyi got 4th position while Borno emerged 5th.

Also, India and Taraba won the best pavilion award while Indonesia and Kwara emerged winners of the best pavilion in merchandising.

And for the best in leather works, Yobe, Katsina and Anambra won while Bauchi, Adamawa and Philippines got the best in Calabash design and decoration.

The best in pottery and ceramic design award went to China, Bulgaria and Kaduna State while Lagos, Ebonyi and Korea took the lead as the best in wood works.

Syria, Kano and Niger won the best in metal and brass works while the best in e-marketing went to Cuba, Columbia and Lebanon

For the new innovation award, converting waste to wealth, Plateau, Venezuela and Iraq emerged winners.

Bangladesh, Iran and Burkina-Faso won the best in new innovation award in packaging.

The best exhibitor in networking strategy went to Ethiopia, Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago.

The 16th INAC special award went to Africo Ventures, Le Look and Nike Art Gallery.

While the INAC Special Day Awards went to Mexico and Malaysia, the INAC Special appearance award was received by Kogi and Egypt.

The State Awards went to Rivers, Ogun, Taraba and Kwara.

The most enterprising at 16th INAC was received by Indonesia, Burkina-Faso and Ogun.

NAN reports that the expo which began on Sept. 7 has been concluded as 29 countries and 16 states participated.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Taiye Olayemi

Mr Majid Kamrani, Cultural Consular, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Nigeria on Friday offered to train interested Nigerians on the production of materials for home decoration.

Kamrani disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the 16th International Arts and Crafts Expo in Abuja.

He said this was a way for Iranians to extend hands of cultural diplomacy to Nigerians.

According to him, this will go a long way in strengthening the cultural ties between Nigerians and Iranians as well as promoting mutual understanding between the two countries.

The cultural consular said that interested Nigerians would be trained on the process of production of iran products like persian rugs, calligraphy, flower vases and other materials used for home decoration.

“We are happy to be here again for the 16th INAC. We are here to showcase our arts and crafts that date back to centuries ago.

“INAC is a beautiful platform to exhibit this and we are ready to train Nigerians on the production of these materials for home decoration we have displayed here.

“Many people know the persian rugs, the value of the rug appreciates the more it is used, it is like gold. We are ready to train Nigerians on how to produce it.

“We know this will positively engage the unemployed Nigerians, we will be glad to do this, the training will be outrightly free, no financial commitment.

“Most of the home decorative materials we have showcased are made of wood, ceramics, iron, animal bones and more.

Kamrani reiterated that arts and crafts production could be the basis for economic growth, urging nations to engage other nations on empowering individuals with skills. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Taiye Olayemi

Prof. Uche Waleke of the Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, on Friday urged Nigerians to embrace and uphold their culture to achieve national security and economic development.

Waleke made the call during the investment forum segment of the 16th International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC) in Abuja.

The professor spoke on the theme “Culture, Economic Development and National Security”.

According to him, culture plays a  significant role in economic development and national security.

“The nation has embraced a mono economy for too long hence its challenges of insecurity and minimal economic growth,” ‘Waleke said.

He noted that when Nigeria begins to diversify its economy with a look into the culture industry, it will be better for it.

According to him, creating a more prosperous, equitable and secure society entails  government rendering utmost support to the arts, crafts, fashion, music, movie sectors of the culture industry.

“Mass production of Nigerian cultural products is capable of ensuring employment creation, income generation, export promotion ,creation of some sense of identity and belonging as well as attracting tourists.

“This will also guarantee social cohesion.

“Culture is critical to economic development, skills development should be encouraged as well as good sense of business ethics.

“Also, to enhance the ease of doing business, efficient and non corrupt bureaucracy must be ensured, taxes be harmonised and the culture of paying bribes be dealt with,” he said.

Waleke advised the Federal Government and Nigerians generally to cultivate the habit of savings,  as it  leads to investment,  growth and development.

He said that the government must begin to involve local communities when developing cultural products.

“This will help to ensure that the products are relevant and meaningful to the people who create and consume them.

“Government must work on protecting intellectual property rights so that cultural producers are compensated for their work.

“Government needs  to promote cultural diversity so that all cultures are represented and respected, as well as support small-scale producers so that they have the resources they need to produce high-quality cultural products.

“Nigerian culture that values meritocracy, fair treatment, civility, harmony, rule of law and equality before the law and hard work  is going to produce a far more developed and secured society than a culture that values nepotism and caste system,” he said.

Also speaking, Suleiman Mohammed, National President, Society of Nigerian Artistes, urged Nigerian universities to intensify efforts on conducting research on the nation’s  culture and ways of advancing the sector.

He said this would go a long way in positioning the arts and culture industries.

Picto Uzochukwu, a security expert, said that the issue of national security must be a collective effort of every Nigerian.

He noted that culture had great potential for employment creation, urging Nigerians to tap into the preservation of historical sites as a means  of wealth creation for themselves. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Taiye Olayemi

Practitioners in Africa’s tourism, hospitality and travel industries on Wednesday urged African leaders to create favourable policies that could guarantee seamless travels within the region.

The practitioners said during the PYNE-NESG Africa conference that tourism in the continent was lagging behind, due to difficulties Africans experience in their quest to travel within the region.

They said it was time African leaders waded into the problem, proffered solutions and ensured that the continent developed its tourism industry optimally.

Alex Nwuba, President, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, said the penetration of tourism in Africa was less than five per cent when some other countries had occupied over 95 per cent.

Nwuba said Africa had not been able to yield the dividend of tourism due to problems like insecurity, expensive air and bus fares, lack of sufficient tourism budget, lack of tourism education, unsuitable policies and governance.

He advocated for a change in tourism policies and their implementation, so they would be capable of boosting movement of persons.

Nwuba said the AFCFTA dictates had focused so much on movement of goods with minimal attention on persons who invariably move the goods.

He urged Africans to cultivate the habit of travelling within the region to guide against capital flight, as they took conscious efforts to build African economy.

“Africa is at the centre of the world with the most beautiful nature, weather, beaches, deserts and all animals that do not exist anywhere in the world.

“We have all it takes to be world leaders in tourism but our policies must be looked into, we must make favourable policies that can guarantee seamless travels. Without free movement of persons, tourism cannot thrive.

“As Africans we must be hospitable, build trust within the African union. We must also learn from one another as well as collaborate to achieve greatness.

“Unless we open up the continent, domestic tourism will not work as well as intra-regional trade,” he said

Nwuba advocated culture shift in management of operational barriers to the development of tourism.

Also speaking, Julie Scott, President, SKAL International Council, urged African leaders to consider opening the skies within the region such that Africans would not have to get Visas to travel within the region.

Scott said Africans must learn to trust one another to make progress.

Malawi’s Tourism Minister, Vera Kamtukule, said “we are guiding our territories too much, it is an anomaly that must be corrected, AFCFTA will not work if we do not remove barriers, we need to look at value addition.

“Once new and favourable policies are made for seamless intra-Africa travels, the customs and immigration must be made to align with the policies.

“Tourism infrastructures must be harmonised across the continent, sustainability must be created. African leaders must be intentional about boosting domestic tourism.”

Earlier, Amaka Amatokwu-Ndekwu, founder and convener, PYNE Africa Tourism Convention, said the conference was necessary to harmonise suggested policies that could help achieve seamless travels within Africa.

Amatokwu-Ndekwu noted that it was worrisome to observe that Africa with huge tourism potential is still lagging behind.

She said all recommendation generated during the conference would be forwarded to all African leaders to act on.

She explained that this was the reason the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) was involved.

For Mrs Ngozi Ngoka, Thematic Lead, Tourism and Hospitality Industries Thematic Group (NESG), the outcome of the conference would be, to achieve profitable and sustainable tourism industry in Africa.

” We hope to increase tourism numbers in Africa through collaborations between countries and well defined synergy between tourism, culture, sports and the creative industries,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluyinka Fadare

By Taiye Olayemi

Vera Kamtukule, Malawi’s Minister of Tourism, on Wednesday called on Africans to drop their preference for western  goods and take pride in their products.

Kamtukule made the call during the maiden PYNE-NESG Africa conference,  with the theme “Tourism in Africa: Catalyst for accelerated economic empowerment”.

She said it was disheartening that Africans perceived  western products as original while they jettisoned  their products.

She noted that African products, culture and all must be deliberately upheld to pave way for economic growth in the region.

“It has become a problem that everything that is foreign becomes original to us, we need to be authentic. We must all stop dilluting the authenticity of Africanism.

“We need to celebrate who we are, how we look, how we cook our food, how we dress; we need to inculcate the culture of celebrating ourselves.

“This is the only way to maintain our identity and make progress just as we have been before colonisation,” she said.

The minister advised Africans to also desist from predatory marketing whereby certain African countries are  stigmatised by some others.

She said this would only continue to create division which is not neccesary at this stage of African development.

“We must get rid of predatory marketing, we must stop condemning ourselves to make progress, we can collaborate, learn from one another to improve on all fronts,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran