Culture

Oba Olaoye appoints culture, tourism carnival committee

Published

2 years ago

April 30, 2024

A15-member committee to organise a culturally rich tourism event, aimed at highlighting the traditions and heritage of Ogbomoso town has been unveiled.

The committee was appointed by the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.

During the inauguration of the committee at the palace in Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye emphasised that the committee’s primary objective was to strategise and implement a wide range of events and activities.

These initiatives are aimed at fostering socio-economic growth, enriching cultural heritage, and drawing both local and international tourists to Ogbomoso land.

The monarch said the development was part of his 25-year development plan which aimed at transforming Ogbomosoland into a model city.

The committee headed by a former Special Assistant to the President on Media, Williams Adeleye, also have a former member of the House of Representatives, Segun Odebunmi; Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade; Akinwole Akinwale; Bisi Michael; Oladejo Akanni; Nike Olugbodi; Kareem Adebayo; Fisayo Alabi; Tunde Ige; Samuel Bolanta; Janet Akintoyinbo; Victoria Olojede and others as members.

In his remark, the chairman of the committee, Adeleye, said, “Ogbomosoland is endowed with a unique and rich cultural heritage that, if fully harnessed, has the potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of the city.

“There is virtually no family compound in Ogbomosoland, from my little research, that has no unique tradition, be it Egungun; deity, ijala, Oroo, etc. Even Soun’s palace is a repository of a tourist site.

“In the creative industry, Ogbomoso men and women, old and young, are making their marks, making Ogbomoso proud in the money-spinning industry. Talk of Baba Lere Paimo (Ogbori elemoso) Kolawole Ajeyemi, Kunle Afolabi, 9ice, Laolu Gbenjo, Dunsin Oyekan to mention a few, are notable faces in the Nigerian creative industry. Our food, amala and gbegiri, eko yangan (Pap), bean snacks (Akara Ogbomoso), as well as our unique agricultural products (mangoro ogbomoso, cassava and cashew), are much sought after by people from other towns and cities across the country and in the diaspora.

“Organising cultural and tourism such as the one conceived by our revered King, has the potential of attracting local and foreign investors to tap into the inherent agricultural value chain thereby creating jobs and stimulating increased economic activities in our land.”

Related Topics:appoints culture Culture Featured Oba Olaoye

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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.

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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.