Events

14 Countries Showcase Foods, Beverages At 5th CMD Food Tour In Abuja

Published

3 years ago

November 27, 2023

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), in collaboration with CMD Tourism and Trade Enterprises, has hosted a culinary tourism food festival in Abuja.

Indigenous foods from Nigeria and 15 other countries were showcased and freely sampled by the public at the event, which held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on Saturday.

Diplomatic community in Nigeria that showcased at the Food Tour included Cameroun, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malaysia, Philippines, Burkina Faso, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Egypt, Botswana, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Africa.

The Director General of NIHOTOUR, Nura Kangiwa, represented by Dr. Taiwo Famogbiyele, welcomed participants at the CMD food festival and remarked that, “following the success of the 3rd NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival that held in June 2023 at the Abuja International Conference Centre, among others, NIHOTOUR is collaborating with CMD Tourism and Trade Enterprises to host the 5th edition of the CMD FoodTour to create new opportunities for Nigerian tourism destination, enhance our market presence, and expand Nigeria’s reach in the global gastronomy tourism industry.”

The DG concluded that, “we see the partnership with CMD Tourism and Trade Enterprises as a consolidation of NIHOTOUR’s efforts in positioning Nigeria as a leading gastronomy tourism destination in Africa. More so, as a training institute saddled with capacity development of tourism personnel in the industry, our partnership with CMD Tourism, and indeed with other stakeholders in the industry, is aimed at improving the sector-specific knowledge and Nigeria’s capacity of hosting signature Food Festivals that depict our traditions, cultures, and diversity of our hospitality offerings.”

The theme for the 2023 Food Tour was “Around the World in a Day”.

To this end, the Chief Executive Officer of CMD Tourism and Trade Enterprises, Ms. Cecile Doumbe, enthused that, “this 5th edition is a fulfilment of our commitment to Nigerian and international food tourism event hosted in Abuja Nigeria. Because for us, this Food Tour hinges on Nigerian tourism development discussions around. Fact is, CMD Food Tour is driven by Tourism Sustainability, Responsibility and Inclusiveness for all. The CMD Food Tour avails Nigerians and foreigner’s resident in Nigeria the opportunity to engage and explore with other culinary cultures without physically traveling.”

When asked about the impact of the 5th CMD Food Tour, the Ambassador of Cote D’Ivoire, Ambassador Traiore revealed that the Embassy was partnering with NIHOTOUR and CMD for the promotion of African gastronomy, particularly the Ivorian gastronomy, here in Nigeria, adding that “but beyond food, our participation in this event is to strengthen ties of fraternity and to promote regional tourism development.”

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism is a parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria empowered to Train, Certify and Register all personnel in Nigeria’s travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. The Institute has 12 campuses located in the Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Related Topics:Abuja Events Featured Food Tour

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

3 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.