By Taiye Olayemi

Miss Tourism Nigeria, Joy Ekekwe, on Tuesday urged hoteliers to participate in marketing Nigerian historical and tourism sites.

The 26-year-old financial consultant made the call during the 19th AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market, held in Lagos from Sept. 3 to Sept. 5.
Ekekwe said that marketing historical sites should not solely be left to tour operators, noting that every practitioner in the tourism and hospitality industries must be involved in it.
She said this was the only way hoteliers could add value to other value chains within the tourism industry.
She also explained that this would  place Nigeria on the global map of tourism as nations begin to realise the ennormous tourism potential that Nigeria is endowed with.
“Nigerian hoteliers need to be patriotic to an extent that they intentionally market historical and tourism sites across the nation.
“Lodging in an hotel should go beyond mere relaxation, visitors to hotels can be encouraged to visit some historical sites,  which would help boost patronage to those sites and improve the growth of inbound tourism,” she said.
Ekekwe advised Nigerians to always take pride in everything that stands as their identity, in terms of language, dance, culture, music and all.
She said Nigerians must also begin to appreciate the tourism potential the nation is endowed which include waterfalls, monoliths, crafts, caves, game reserves, among others.
She noted that it was high time Nigerians begin to see these endowments as rare treasure and deliberately market them to woo both local and international tourists.
Earlier, Bayo Adedeji, Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow Group, advised practitioners in the tourism industry to engage technology in their operations.
Adedeji noted that technology is important to selling tourism across the globe.
“Without maximising the potential in technology, operating tourism business could be chaotic, technology enhances the business of travels and tourism.
“Government has supported us enough, we need to engage technology in all we do to perform optimally,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Taiye Olayemi

Lady Alex Ibru, Chairman and Publisher, Guardian Newspaper, on Monday called on African youths to shun indolence and embrace hardwork.

Ibru gave the advice at the ongoing 19th AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market, on Monday in Lagos.

She noted that the only route to make remarkable success was through hardwork.

She said another factor that could guarantee success for the youth was to stay focused on specific goals and not take multiple professions at the same time.

“I advise the youth to always remain focused toward achieving success and this is through hardwork. It is important to make success of your lives.

“As humans, aging starts from our feet upwards, exercising our feet is a life-long task. So, we must work to keep being successful and healthy.

“Don’t dabble into two different businesses, embrace partnership but not with close friends,” she said.

Ibru also urged parents to cultivate healthy relationships  with their domestic staff, saying they

deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Earlier, Ikechi Uko, organiser of AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market,  commended the efforts of Nigerian youths blazing the trail in the tourism and hospitality industries. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Taiye Olayemi

The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) has congratulated Lola Ade-John, the designated Minister of Tourism, urging her to devise ways to create a development fund for the growth of the industry.

Mrs Ime Udo, National President of NATOP,  said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

“We congratulate the new minister for tourism, with her background in Information Technology and being in the technological age, she must bring to bear her expertise in data collation and tourism technology.

“And as a former banker, we expect that she will be able to devise ways through which tourism development fund can  be created to advance the industry.

“One of the major inhibitors for tourism growth is the lack of funding and inability to attract investors.

“Tourism is first of all a business and should be approached as such,” she said.

Udo advised the minister to embark on physical tour of some of the heritage sites within the country in view of the deplorable state of most of the sites.

She said Ade-John would have to connect with the tourism board in each state to ascertain the current state of their activities to evaluate and plan on tourism development.

“The minister must be very intentional about making Nigeria a destination, she must immediately call for a roundtable stakeholders’ meeting to rub minds and know the true state of things in the industry.

Udo said the integration of a Minister of Tourism in Nigeria with an Information Technology background presents numerous intriguing possibilities for the country’s tourism sector.

She said the development and promotion of e-tourism platforms could provide a seamless experience for tourists.

According to her, such platforms can include online visa applications, digital city guides, and easy online booking for accommodations and attractions.

She said leveraging technologies such as  Internet of Things (IoT) could help develop “smart tourist destinations”.

“For instance, smart signage provides real-time information or smart bracelets for tourists that offer guided tours and ensure safety

“The minister’s expertise can drive the digital transformation of Nigeria’s tourism sector, from online ticketing systems to virtual tours of historical sites, the possibilities are vast.

“It is certain that she would understand the importance of data, which will lead to better-informed decisions based on tourism trends, visitor preferences, and feedback.

“Being in a technological age, historical sites and museums could be enhanced with Augumented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology, providing interactive experiences and bringing Nigeria’s rich history to life,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Olajide Idowu

There is heavy presence of security personnel at the Osun-Osogbo groove in Osogbo, as the annual festival begins to come to a close at the River Osun bank on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that armed policemen and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel, in their patrol vehicles are stationed at the road leading to the groove from Odi-Olowo, Osogbo.

NAN also noticed the presence of armed security personnel at the entrance of the groove, while the police, Federal Road Safety, Departments of Security Service, local vigilantees are e all positioned within the groove.

Private security guards were also seen around the pavilion where dignitaries and host of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the Ata-Oja of Osogbo, are expected to be seated.

A lot of devotees were spotted at the Osun River bank, fetching water while some were seen saying their traditional prayers and performing other rituals.

SP Yemisi Opalola, Police Spokesperson in Osun, had earlier informed NAN that adequate security had been emplaced to ensure a successful festival.

Similarly, the NSCDC, Osun Command, through its spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, gave the same assurance of the State Commandant, Agboola Sunday.

He said that lives and property of tourists and residents would be secured during and after the festival (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Joshua Oladipo

Some tourists and devotees of Osun-Osogbo Festival on Friday arrived at the groove for the grand finale of the annual traditional gathering.

The cultural enthusiasts, who started arriving in large numbers  from 8 a.m are seen with kegs and containers in their hands to fetch water from the Osun river .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual event is expected to come an end on Friday with a virgin maiden who will lead possession of devotees and worshippers to the groove to communicate with the deities among other sacrifices

Also, masquerades, traditional local drummers, hunters and members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) are not left out as they sing and display their unique cultural identities.

Also, security personnel which include the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) are stationed at strategic locations within and outside the groove to forestall any break down of law and order .

The state cultural dancers and some officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism are also present at the groove,  putting a touch to the beauty of the festival .

A devotee, Mr Wakili Amao, told NAN that the annual event had continue to bring together, thousands of people across the globe irrespective of their different social, economic, religious and political affiliations.

Amao described the Osun water as a source of blessing to him and others in solving their spiritual and physical challenges, adding that this had warranted them to continue paying annual homage at the groove.

He, however, called for more support from the state government in terms of giving the environment a befitting outlook to draw more local and international tourists.

NAN further reports that makers of products such as the Seaman Schnapps, Goldberg beer, MTN among others were not left out of the annual celebrations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng )

By Olajide Idowu

Mr Aworeni Joseph, the Curator and Site Manager of Osun-Osogbo Groove has said that the removal of the petroleum subsidy will not affect the expected turn-out of tourists and participants at the grand finale of the event on Friday.

Joseph, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Osogbo, said that all necessary arrangements had been made towards the success of the festival.

“I believe we will have a huge turnout, not minding the subsidy removal.

“People have passion for culture and the Osun-Osogbo festival is an international festival, which usually attracts tourists across the world.

“When there was COVID-19, which caused restriction of movement, even at that, we still had a manageable crowd for the festival.

” I don’t believe the fuel subsidy removal will affect the turnout; I believe the turnout will be greater than last year, he said.

Joseph further explained that the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM) had made necessary arrangements with stakeholders to ensure that the festival is successful.

“The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, who is the chief traditional custodian of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, the Osogbo Heritage Council and the Osun-Osogbo Festival Council, with NCMM are working for the success of the festival.

“The state government has been assisting us and doing a lot of restoration, rehabilitation and preservation works at the groove.

“Stakeholders have also been meeting with security agencies on how the festival and grand finale will succeed.

“With everything done so far, we are prepared for the grand finale and we expect a successful grand finale on Friday,” he said.

The Osun-Osogbo Festival, which history dates back to centuries ago is usually celebrated in an ancient grove believed to be among the last of the sacred forests among Yoruba cities.

Inrecognition of its global significance and cultural value, the sacred grove was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

For the people of Osogbo, the festival symbolises the traditional cleansing of the town and the cultural reunion of the people with their ancestors and founders of the Osogbo kingdom.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Julius Toba-Jegede