Culture

Minister urges Lagos to showcase Epe fishing potential

Published

3 years ago

April 16, 2024

The Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, has urged the Lagos State Government to maximise the tourism potential of Epe town, known for fishing.

The minister called on the state government to establish a proper fish market capable of attracting tourists to the area, while also urging the residents to keep the town clean.

Ade-John made the call during her visit to various tourist sites in Epe town, including the Oju Alaro Shrine, the Marina Waterfront, Palace of Oloja of Epe, and some iconic colonial buildings, Ade-John emphasised the need for the involvement of locals in maintaining these attraction sites.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that while expressing her enthusiasm for the considerable tourism potential in the town, Ade-John vowed to assist in attracting more tourists to the area.

“We are going to help you advertise what you have so that people can visit Epe more than ever before, but the sites must be kept neat,” she stated.

Highlighting the importance of local government initiatives in ensuring cleanliness at these sites, she emphasised, “The local government must work on sensitising the locals to always ensure these sites are neat and tidy. It won’t attract tourists if they are left like this.”

Observing the abundance of colonial buildings in Epe compared to Lagos township, Ade-John urged the community to preserve and cherish these historical landmarks.

“Epe is a beautiful place to be, with beautiful beaches, mangroves, seafood, and all; these are what the backpackers want to see,” she remarked.

Echoing similar sentiments, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently underscored the tourism potential of the Badagry area of Lagos during an inspection tour.

Last week, the governor visited several tourist centres in Badagry, including the Slave Museum International, Vlekete, Badagry Heritage Museum, the First Storey Building, Point of No Return, and Mobee Royal Family Museum.

“For us, it is to complete the ongoing projects that we have seen, and we saw some of the heritage sites, not to deface it but to restore them, to generally just preserve what we have for the tourism potential of Badagry,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Up Next

Fabric of Courage: Highlighting the Role of CBAAC in Propagating, Promoting Black and African Art

Don't Miss

FG Nominates Obaseki to Lead Nigerian Delegation to 60th International Art Exhibition in Italy

Click to comment

Culture

Ofala festival: Obi of Onitsha marks 25 Years on throne

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Ofala Festival 2026 celebrated Onitsha’s royal heritage as Obi Nnaemeka Achebe marked 25 years on the throne and addressed Nigeria’s economic challenges.

(more…)

Culture

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

Published

4 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.