Culture
Document, court judgment show new Alaafin selected by Oyo kingmakers
Published
1 year agoon
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LanreThe Oyo Mesi, a group of kingmakers, selected a new Alaafin of Oyo last year to replace the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who passed away in April 2022, according to documents obtained byFreelanews.
Nearly 18 months since the throne became vacant, there has not been an official announcement of a new monarch by the Oyo State Government, with many blaming the kingmakers for delaying the selection process.
However, a proclamation document and a court judgment seen by this newspaper have now shown that the Oyo Mesi selected Lukman Gbadegesin and forwarded the name of the prince from the Agunloye Ruling House to the government since last year.
“We hereby proclaim Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin the new Alaafin,” the proclamation reads, signed by the five living Oyo Mesi members and two warrant chiefs selected by the government to replace deceased Oyo Mesi members.
The kingmakers said they received a list of 82 aspiring princes from the Baba Iyaji of Oyo, the head of all princes, Mukaila Afonja. By Oyo tradition and the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration, Baba Iyaji is empowered to collect the names of aspiring princes from the next ruling house and transmit them to the Bashorun, the head of Oyo Mesi.
The Bashorun would then convene a meeting of the kingmakers to take a vote and the prince with simple majority is to be proclaimed Alaafin.
As the proclamation shows, all the kingmakers signed for Mr Gbadegesin, whose grandfather, Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II, was the predecessor of the immediate past Alaafin Adeyemi III.
The proclamation was signed on September 30, 2022. According to the law, an aspirant or the ruling house has 21 days to petition the government to challenge the selection. But no such petition was written.
However, after the expiration of the 21-day window, a prince, Hakeem Ladigbolu, approached the court to set aside the selection process. But in a judgment given on December 19, 2023, an Oyo State High Court in Oyo Town, upheld the process leading to the selection of Mr Gbadegesin, court papers show.
However, despite the proclamation by the Oyo Mesi and the court judgment upholding the process, the government has yet to make a formal announcement, giving rise to concern that political interests might want to undermine the Oyo Mesi and foist another person on the ancient Yoruba town.
When contacted, the Bashorun of Oyo, Yusuf Akinade, confirmed the process has been concluded.
He, however, refused to disclose the name of the prince selected. Instead, he said, “we have submitted everything to the government, direct all other questions to the government, but we have completed the process.”
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Culture
Nigeria’s tourism sector nears new era with draft national tourism policy validation
Published
2 hours agoon
November 8, 2024By
LanreStakeholders gathered in Lagos to validate Nigeria’s Draft National Tourism Policy, focusing on sustainability, community engagement, and digital innovation to elevate Nigeria’s tourism sector to global standards.
Major stakeholders from Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality, and cultural sectors convened in Lagos for a landmark event to validate the Draft National Tourism Policy.
The gathering, hosted by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), underscores a renewed commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s tourism landscape.
Also read: Governor Fubara begins revitalisation of Port Harcourt tourist beach for Arts, Culture, and Tourism
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, inaugurated the event, emphasising Nigeria’s immense but underutilised tourism potential.
Musawa highlighted the country’s rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and the economic possibilities they offer, commending NESG and private partners for their collaboration on a policy not revised since 2005.
With its focus on sustainability, infrastructure, and community engagement, the revised policy aims to transform the tourism sector, making it a key driver of national economic growth.
Former Tourism Minister, Lola Ade-John, who contributed to the original policy framework, lauded the ongoing efforts, underscoring the policy’s potential to unlock Nigeria’s vast tourism assets. Ade-John further commended NESG’s role in providing crucial guidance for a progressive tourism policy.
Representing NESG, Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, Facilitator for the Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Culture, Creative, and Sports Policy Commission, spoke on the significance of a robust tourism framework and public-private partnerships, especially in the post-pandemic landscape.
He recognised the Federal Government’s commitment to the tourism sector, positioning it as a central pillar for economic recovery.
The event highlighted extensive contributions from over 200 industry professionals, strengthening the policy’s foundation.
Lolo Ngozi Ngoka, NESG’s thematic Lead for Tourism and Hospitality Industries, presented the draft policy, outlining key priorities: diversifying Nigeria’s tourism offerings, fostering inclusivity, and advancing digital innovation to elevate Nigeria’s global appeal.
The validation session featured a panel discussion with industry experts, who assessed the policy’s potential impact.
Breakout sessions enabled focused conversations on key themes like infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and marketing. Participants shared feedback, which will be integrated into the final policy draft.
The revised National Tourism Policy is set for completion in November 2024, with continued consultations to ensure an inclusive and impactful framework for Nigeria’s tourism sector.
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Culture
Minister Hannatu Musawa urges Nigerians to support local fashion industry
Published
4 days agoon
November 4, 2024By
LanreMinister Hannatu Musawa calls on Nigerians to support local fashion to boost cultural pride and economic growth at the African Fashion Festival Vogue.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has encouraged Nigerians to embrace and support locally made clothing, emphasising its role in fostering national identity and economic growth.
Speaking at the inaugural African Fashion Festival Vogue (AFFV) on Saturday in Abuja, Musawa highlighted the importance of promoting the Nigerian fashion industry on a global scale and empowering local talent.
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The festival, themed “Thread of Africa: Weaving Fashion and Culture,” was organised by emerging Nigerian designer Firdausi Mohammed and drew notable figures from the fashion industry and diplomatic community.
Musawa praised the event’s efforts to showcase African designs and provide a platform for designers to reach international audiences, stating, “The platform offers opportunities for showcasing African designers in the fashion industry. It also promotes the Nigerian fashion industry to the world and empowers Northern voices in the sector.”
Emphasising the global competitiveness of Nigerian fashion, Musawa noted that now is an ideal time to support homegrown products, as the industry possesses the creativity and craftsmanship to succeed internationally.
She urged Nigerians to take pride in their cultural heritage by choosing locally crafted garments, which play a significant role in both nation-building and economic empowerment.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Retired Maj.-Gen. Sohail Khan, also addressed the gathering, commending the initiative as a celebration of Africa’s vibrant creativity and cultural expression.
“Fashion is not merely about clothing; it is an expression of identity, culture, and creativity,” Khan remarked. He drew parallels between African and Pakistani traditions in textile craftsmanship, suggesting that these shared cultural assets could inspire future collaboration within the fashion industry.
Khan highlighted the prominence of Pakistan’s textile sector, which combines centuries-old hand-embroidery techniques with modern advancements in textile technology, making it a global powerhouse.
Event organiser Firdausi Mohammed shared her vision for AFFV, explaining that the festival aims to showcase Africa’s diverse cultural heritage through fashion.
Mohammed said, “Our goal is to create a networking platform for designers to spread their wings under one umbrella and to celebrate the beauty of Africa’s cultural diversity through high fashion.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the event was attended by both established and emerging designers, diplomats, and fashion enthusiasts.
The highlight of the evening was a runway show infused with elements of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, symbolising the potential of the African fashion industry to connect people through shared cultural values and artistic expression.
AFFV’s success underscores the growing interest in promoting African fashion on a global stage and aligns with Musawa’s call for Nigerians to support their local industry, strengthening both cultural pride and economic
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Culture
World twins festival in Igbo-Ora: A tourism goldmine for Oyo State
Published
1 week agoon
November 1, 2024By
LanreThe annual World Twins Festival at Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, has the potential to generate over $1 million in revenue and create thousands of jobs, highlighting its untapped economic potential.
The annual World Twins Festival in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Nigeria, known globally as the “Land of Twins,” could generate over one million dollars in revenue and create more than 5,000 jobs if its full potential is harnessed, according to festival initiators, Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye.
As the most famous twins in African tourism, the Oguntoyes expressed their vision to elevate the festival’s profile and economic impact.
Also read: Oyo State Promotes Festival of Twins as Pathway to World Heritage Status
With its 2024 theme, *Twinning for Love, Unity, and National Economic Reorientation*, the festival celebrates Igbo-Ora’s remarkable multiple birth rate, where an estimated 10% of births are twins.
Drawing attendees from across Nigeria and beyond, the festival offers a unique social and cultural tourism experience, making it an unexploited economic opportunity for the state.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has backed the festival, pledging to improve infrastructure and enhance its status to meet UNESCO standards.
Governor Makinde noted the state’s commitment to making Igbo-Ora a globally recognised tourism site, boosting Nigeria’s tourism potential and attracting international visitors.
The proposed *World Twins Village*, scheduled for unveiling next year, is set to be the first of its kind, establishing Igbo-Ora as a prime cultural destination.
The village is anticipated to attract a vast array of twins and enthusiasts from around the world, with plans underway to register Igbo-Ora on the UNESCO World Heritage cultural site list.
A vibrant display of twin culture, the 2024 festival featured twins dressed in matching Ankara and other traditional Yoruba attire, further showcasing Igbo-Ora’s unique cultural identity.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Igbo-Ora Community Foundation, Ibarapa Central Local Government, and the Oyo State Government, has become a landmark celebration for the Yoruba community and a growing attraction for visitors worldwide.
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