Events

GTCO announces 8th edition of food, drink festival: “A Shared Experience”

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2025

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) presents the 8th GTCO Food and Drink Festival from May 2nd to 4th, 2025, in Lagos, celebrating food, culture, and community with free stalls and masterclasses

Get ready for a culinary extravaganza! Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has announced the highly anticipated 8th edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival, set to take place from Friday, May 2nd to Sunday, May 4th, 2025, at GTCentre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Also read: MTN Nigeria celebrates culture, fashion at the resplendent 38th Lisabi Festival

This year’s festival, themed “A Shared Experience,” beautifully illustrates how every meal weaves a narrative – stories of culture, community, and tradition that bind people across generations and geographical boundaries.

The 2025 edition will feature an impressive 204 free retail stalls, showcasing the vibrant diversity and innovation of Nigeria’s food culture. Attendees can explore everything from traditional Nigerian dishes and regional specialties to exciting contemporary fusion cuisines, savory delights, refreshing beverages, and delectable gourmet desserts.

Adding to the rich experience, the festival will host a series of masterclasses led by internationally acclaimed chefs and respected culinary experts.

These sessions will offer attendees invaluable practical insights, recipes, and techniques spanning a wide array of cuisines and culinary disciplines.

The GTCO Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of our rich cultural diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. Every meal shared is a reminder of our traditions and the universal language of food that connects us all,” said Mr. Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc.

Beyond the extensive food exhibition and insightful masterclasses, visitors can immerse themselves in a lively street food arena, offering a tantalizing selection of popular local delicacies. A dedicated children’s play area will also ensure a fun, safe, and memorable outing for the entire family.

Speaking on the significance of the festival, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, stated, “The GTCO Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of our rich cultural diversity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Every meal shared is a reminder of our traditions and the universal language of food that connects us all. Beyond the festivities, the festival reflects our commitment to supporting local enterprise—creating a free business platform where food retailers can connect with consumers, share their unique offerings, and take meaningful steps toward growth and long-term sustainability.”

At its core, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival embodies GTCO’s vision of Promoting Enterprise in support of small businesses, particularly indigenous food entrepreneurs.

This initiative is an integral part of the Group’s broader commitment to creating Great Experiences for its customers by providing meaningful opportunities for connection, growth, and shared success.

Admission to the GTCO Food and Drink Festival is absolutely free, and everyone is warmly invited to partake in this extraordinary celebration of food, culture, and enterprise.

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Culture

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

Published

2 days 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.