Festivals

Destination Tourism 2023 Show Kicks Off

Published

3 years ago

November 28, 2023

Preparation is in full swing as the much-awaited Destination Tourism Show 2023 kicks off in partnership with Lagos Local Government Tourism Market (LLGTM). Billed to be declared open on November 29, 2023 at the popular Freedom Park, it will run till November 30 and be concluded at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The lead organiser, who is the president of Travelogue Communications Ltd, Ayo Omotoso, recently confirmed this development in an interview. This year’s Destination Tourism Show will have a special focus on community-based tourism, hence the new product: “Lagos Local Government Tourism Market.

“This is a Community-Based Tourism MICE and exposition event designed to add tourism values and sensitize both the state and local government authorities, particularly in Lagos state. Furthermore, it is aimed at increasing the capacity of local government councils to generate and earn tourism revenue and propel the campaign for Domestic Tourism Promotion across the LGAs.

To strengthen the vision of the Destination Tourism Show, the second day will be set aside for the awards category. It will be an opportunity to celebrate those who have done excellently well in tourism, culture; travel trade, and allied services. These include some outstanding local government chairmen who supported Community-Based Tourism Development in their various communities in the state.

According to Omotoso: “Tourism opens minds to unlimited opportunities and there are lots of tourism business opportunities in the local communities. With this, the Roadshow on Community-Based Tourism will provide an opportunity for B2B and a showcase of handcrafts, including a tantalizing journey through local cuisines“.

A host line of dignitaries are expected from within and outside the country, making it a destination event of class. Among them are the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Kareem Tajudeen Abiodun, Hon. Prince Gboyega Isiaka, Chairman, House Committee on Polytechnics and Technical Education, House of Representatives, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Hon, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Charles Udoh, Akwa Ibom State, Hon Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

Others include the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, CBAAC, Hon Olubumi Amao, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, National Theatre, Prof. Sunday Ododo, Engr. Mrs. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Mrs. Iyadunni Gbadebo, Director of Sales and Marketing, Eko Hotels and Suites, Mrs. Abiola Adelana Head, Tourism and Creative Sector, Sterling Bank, Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Mr Sola Obadimu, Prince Dr. Yemisi Shyllon, Grand Donor, Museum of Art, Lagos.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

1 hour ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”