Culture

Why we must preserve our historical, cultural assets –Tourism minister, Ade-John

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2024

Minister of Tourism, Ade-John Inspects Ongoing Renovation at Obudu Resort

The 10th edition of Domestic Tourism Expo, which recently held at Onikan Museum, Lagos, had experts and stakeholders brainstorming on how to make Nigeria a great travel destination in Africa.

In her opening address, Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, urged Nigerians to preserve the nation’s historical and cultural assets for posterity.

She said, “Nigeria is a beautiful country. People pay a lot to see gorillas, go on water, and we have them all; the only thing we do not have is our sense of pride. That has to change. We need to love this country.”

The event, which featured a photo exhibition of over 1,000 tourist sites cutting across the 36 states of the nation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, had in attendance stakeholders in tourism, hospitality, and policymaking among others.

The minister added: “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these treasures remain intact for years to come so that others may experience the same sense of awe and wonder that we feel today. In order to achieve this, we must carry along our people. Community engagement is vital to the preservation of our assets and history.”

Dayo Adedayo, British-trained Nigerian documentary photographer, called on the federal government to open up the presidential mansion, Aso Rock Villa, for local and international tourists.

According to him, Nigeria could earn huge revenue like the United Kingdom gets from the Buckingham Palace. “Aso Rock, being the seat of power in Nigeria, with beautiful structures and attractive landscape and greenery in its surroundings, could be a good source of revenue for the nation,” he noted.

On her part, Nneka Isaac-Moses of Goge Africa called on the federal government to invest in training and capacity building for professionals in the industry. She appealed to the government at all levels to support funding and create an enabling environment for tourism businesses to thrive.

Also, Mrs Ime Udom, national president, Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), spoke on the contributions of tour operators toward growing the industry.

To her, tour operators, over the years, have been able to unravel new tourism sites, promote and drive traffic to such sites. She, however, called on the government to work directly with tour operators and ensure provision of grants for them, to be able to do more.

Ibrahim Makanjuola, founder of Nigeria Tourism Lovers, said accessing some of the nation’s tourist sites was problematic due to poor road network.

“Security personnel should also be sensitised on the business of tourism. Government should help us, as we are often harassed by security operatives while on tour. They see us as youths gallivanting around, and as fraudsters. These security personnel must be taught the business of tourism,” he stated.

The major highlight of the event was the presentation of Travellers Awards to some individuals who have contributed toward promoting tourism in the country.

Ekiti, Abia, Enugu, Edo and Cross River States won the Most Active Tourism States of the Year 2023 awards, while Governor Eno Umo emerged Governor of the Year 2023.

Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) won the 2023 Tourism Chief Executive Officer award. Ibom Air bagged award for the Best Airline in 2023, Mrs Ime Udom won Tourism Promoter of the Year award, while Ekiti and Akwa Ibom States were named the Most Sought-after States.

Favour Udom emerged Tourism Photographer of the Year with Funke Ogunkoya-Futi scooping Travel Communicator of the Year award.

100 practitioners who were trained in tourism promotion were inducted into the Tourism 100 Club.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

7 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”