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    Rite Foods Limited Powers 2024 Ojude Oba Festival

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    Rite Foods Limited, Nigeria’s leading food and beverage company, has restated its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage through sponsorship of the 2024 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival slated for Tuesday, 18th June 2024 in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

    At the World Press Conference unveiling the Ojude Oba Festival 2024, the Company’s Head of Marketing, Ms. Boma Harrison, affirmed that Rite Foods’ continuous sponsorship of the Ojude Oba Festival was a demonstration of its commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural values of its communities as a proudly Nigerian Company.

    “We are deeply committed to investing time, expertise, and resources in advancing locally relevant initiatives in our communities. We view culture as a vital part of who we are as individuals and as a people. As a socially responsible corporate citizen, our loyalty to His Royal Majesty, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Alaiyeluwa Ọba (Dr) Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna, CFR, J.P, and commitment to the Ojude Oba Festival demonstrate our belief that promoting the interest of our communities is a collective responsibility. We are excited to be in the vanguard of preserving the identity and civilization of the Ijebu societies, fostering unity, and promoting social and cultural cohesion”, she said.

    In his address, the Chairman of the Ojude Oba Festival 2024 Planning Committee, Chief (Barr.) Olu B.Okuboyejo said the highlight of the event will include 90 Age Grade performances dubbed “Regberegbe,” both male and female, with the prizes for the winning team, and the first and second runners-up, and 25 families of warlords, showcasing their dexterity in a peaceful and orderly manner that depicts their past experience in warfare.

    He stated that the rich cultural heritage dates back to about two centuries and is widely cherished by the indigenes at home and in the diaspora. This year’s edition themed: ”Ojude Oba: Peace, Unity and Harmony, Our Gifts”, according to him, re-echoes the pristine objective of Ojude Oba, which is to foster unity and peaceful co-existence in the community.

    The festival will also serve as a unification of all sons and daughters of Ijebuland, and with a homage to the His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, the Awujale of the Ijẹbu Kingdom, who in the past events, avowed that Ojude Oba brings about love, mutual understanding, and peaceful co-existence that defines what they stand for. Also, it enhances the area’s tourism potential, as it hosts visitors from other parts of the globe.

    The coordinator of the annual event, Chief (Dr.) Fassy Yusuf (Baagbimo of Ijebu), applauded Rite Foods and all sponsors for their unwavering support for the upcoming festival and for previous events, that have made the Ijebu nation popular in the country and beyond.

    The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Honourable Sesan Fagbayi, said the present administration felicitates with the Ijebu people as they celebrate the Ojude Oba Festival which serves as a unique forum for cultural and national development of the sons and daughters of the land.

    As in the previous editions, Harrison restated that Rite Foods will refresh and delight participants with its quality products to make the event memorable and exciting.

    With award-winning brands, Rite Foods’ consumer-centricity has been demonstrated through credible platforms and sponsorships that have earned it numerous awards which include the “Most Innovative Carbonated Soft Drink Brand of the Year” for the Bigi Brand, the “Most Outstanding Energy Drink in Consumer Engagement” for its number-one energy drink, the Fearless brand; “Best Value for Money – Carbonated Drink Brand 2023” for Bigi Cola; “Best Value for Money – Energy Drinks Brand 2023” for Fearless Energy Drink; and “Best Value for Money – Sausage Brand 2023” for Bigi Beef Sausage Roll.

    Also, the premium Sosa Fruit Drink won the “Outstanding New Product of the Year – Juice” in 2023, among others.

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    Festivals

    Calabar Carnival 2024 attracts over 300,000 tourists, boosts local economy

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    Calabar Carnival 2024 tourism

    Calabar Carnival 2024 drew over 300,000 tourists, driving a 42% increase in attendance and generating billions in revenue for Cross River.

     

     

    The recently concluded 32-day Calabar Carnival 2024 proved a monumental success, attracting over 300,000 tourists and generating billions in revenue for Cross River State.

    This marked a 42% increase in attendance compared to 2023, according to the Cross River Tourism Bureau.

     

    Also read: Calavegas band secures back-to-back Carnival càlabar wins

     

    Speaking in Lagos, the bureau’s Managing Director, Ekpenyong Ojoi, revealed that the carnival, which ran from 1 November to 31 December 2024, brought a significant influx of visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.

    “Calabar recorded over 300,000 tourists during the festival period, with most visitors coming from Abuja, Lagos, and neighbouring Akwa Ibom State,” Ojoi stated.

    He highlighted that the 2024 festival saw a significant rise in onsite spectators, with an estimated 450,000 attending key events such as the Cultural Carnival, Children’s Carnival, and Bikers Carnival. This was a substantial increase from the 279,486 spectators recorded in 2023.

    Furthermore, the carnival achieved global visibility, with over 1.2 billion viewers watching via DSTV channel 198 and over 100 million viewers tuning in through online streaming platforms.

    The tourism boom translated into remarkable economic benefits for Calabar. From November to December 2024, hotel occupancy rates rose from 57% in 2023 to 68%, with many establishments achieving full capacity during peak dates in December.

     

    Revenue highlights include:

    • Hotel bookings: Estimated at ₦2.79 billion ($1.74 million), driven by 100% occupancy at key hotels such as Hogis Royale and Metropolitan Hotel.
    • Food and breakfast sales: Estimated at ₦900 million ($562,000).
    • Ticketed events: Funfest, Calabar Fashion Show, and Queen of Humanity generated ₦100 million ($66,000).
    • Nightlife: The city’s top five nightclubs contributed ₦400 million ($267,000).
    • Miscellaneous activities: Online streaming, food, drinks, dancers, and car rentals added another ₦1 billion ($667,000).
    • Transportation: Visitors spent an estimated ₦8.87 billion on air, road, and sea travel.

     

     

    Ojoi also emphasised the cultural significance of the carnival, with tourists visiting key attractions such as the OMR, Marina Resort, and Kwa Falls. The festival continues to strengthen Calabar’s reputation as a premier destination for cultural tourism in Nigeria.

    “The Calabar Carnival is not just a festival; it’s a celebration of our rich heritage, a boost to our economy, and an opportunity to connect with the world,” Ojoi added.

    As the Cross River State Government continues its efforts to promote tourism, the success of the 2024 Calabar Carnival demonstrates the transformative potential of cultural events in driving economic growth and global recognition.

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    Festivals

    Calavegas band secures back-to-back Carnival càlabar wins

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    Calavegas Band Carnival Càlabar

    Calavegas Band, led by High Chief Edem Duke, wins Carnival Càlabar 2025, citing creativity, teamwork, and thematic excellence as key to success.

     

     

    The Calavegas Band, led by former Minister for Culture and Tourism High Chief Edem Duke, has emerged victorious at the just-concluded Carnival Càlabar 2025, marking their second consecutive win.

    Duke attributed the band’s triumph to the unwavering commitment of its members and their creative interpretation of this year’s carnival theme.

    During a celebratory get-together at the former Mirage Hotel in Calabar, Duke shared insights with journalists about the secret behind the band’s sustained success.

    He emphasised that their achievements stemmed from adhering strictly to the carnival’s rules and fostering an environment where members could fully express their talents.

    “There’s no secret to this other than committing ourselves to the very best of creative potential and utilisation of personnel,” Duke stated.

    “We focus on interpreting the theme and aggregating all the inherent talents within the band to compete favourably with others, ensuring what we present is unmatched.”

    Duke, a seasoned performing artist and cultural ambassador, explained that the Calavegas Band’s philosophy lies in blending creativity with disciplined choreography and an understanding of the carnival’s spirit.

    This winning formula, combined with a strong leadership vision, has set the band apart.

    The band’s performances this season demonstrated an extraordinary level of collaboration, creativity, and dynamic execution, earning them high praise from judges and audiences alike.

    Duke reiterated that while winning is gratifying, the primary focus remains on sustaining the carnival’s vibrancy and cultural essence.

    Looking ahead, the Calavegas Band has ambitious plans to expand its reach by launching operations in the Central and Cross River North Senatorial Districts.

    This initiative aims to identify and nurture fresh talent, ensuring the band continues to dominate the Carnival Càlabar scene.

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    Governor Sanwo-Olu hails success of Lagos shopping festival

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    Lagos Shopping Festival 2024

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praises the organisers of the Lagos Shopping Festival for creating a new economic pillar, marking the success of the 72-hour event.

     

     

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended the successful conclusion of the Lagos Shopping Festival (LSF), which wrapped up at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan at 4am on Thursday, December 26.

    The much-anticipated event, which ran for an impressive 72 hours, marked a significant milestone in the state’s growing festival economy.

     

    Also read: Lagos set to host spectacular boat regatta in December

     

    Sanwo-Olu praised the organisers, Chain Reactions Africa Ltd, one of Africa’s leading Public Relations consulting firms, for their impeccable execution of the festival.

    He lauded their efforts in contributing to the development of a solid festival economy in Lagos State.

    “We are gradually building a festival economy for our great State. This idea of a 72-hour shopping festival is another strategic pillar on which the full edifice of a festival economy at Yuletide can rest,” said the governor.

    The event was a notable success, with thousands of young people gainfully employed in various aspects of the event management and commercial value chain.

    These included roles in design, stage setup, sound systems, lighting, crowd control, volunteer coordination, branding, and exhibition booth installations.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu also expressed his gratitude to the Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), security, and safety agencies who worked tirelessly throughout the event.

    He highlighted the smooth running of the festival, noting that it was concluded without any medical emergencies or disruptions, a testament to the organisers’ excellent planning and the collaboration of state agencies.

    The festival focused on strategically scaling and optimising small businesses, providing valuable connections between shoppers and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

    The event also received significant corporate support from major brands, including Tolaram Group, Guinness Nigeria, Zenith Bank, and First Bank, which contributed to the event’s success.

    In recognition of the festival’s importance, the governor noted that it was not only an opportunity to boost the local economy but also to provide a platform for small businesses to thrive.

    This inaugural edition of the Lagos Shopping Festival is expected to become a key annual event, strengthening Lagos’s position as a leading destination for both commerce and culture in Africa.

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