The Nation Newspaper

Category: Travels on Saturday

  • Sheraton Lagos unveils Jazz Unplugged

    Sheraton Lagos unveils Jazz Unplugged

    With mellow jazz music being played by a live band, the whole of the Sheraton Lagos Hotel’s lobby was enveloped in music when last Tuesday the hotel unveiled its latest product, Jazz Unplugged.

    Jazz Unplugged is a kind of mid-week fun where guests can come in after the working hours to relax and have a good time.

    The first edition of Jazz Unplugged, which has gained acceptance based on the number people present, was sponsored by Frontera, Guikder and Jameson and some other brands.

    Speaking at the event, the Sheraton Lagos General Manager, Mr. Alexander Gasseur, said Jazz Unplugged was part of the extra mile the staff put in to satisfy the hotel’s guests.

    He continued: “It is an evening which we organize three times a week between 7 and 9pm where people can come after work chill, relax , hear some good jazz, have some good drinks, taste some good wine,have some good food and generally enjoy themselves. “

     

  • Osun Osogbo: Goldberg thrills visitors

    Osun Osogbo: Goldberg thrills visitors

    This year’s edition of the Osun Osogbo Festival may have come and gone, but the “golden” moments would remain indelible in the minds of visitors for years to come.

    The sign that visitors’ experiences in this year’s edition of the Osun Osogbo festival would be “golden” was imminent the moment Goldberg signed the dotted line as one of the event’s major sponsors.

    Libation is an age-long tradition in which drink is poured on the ground to appease certain deities. In obeisance to the extant culture, Goldberg “libated”, as its sponsorship of the event connoted dropping jots of its liquid gold in the Osun River. The ricochet effect was resplendent as Goldberg ensured that the 2013 Osun Osogbo Festival ambience turned “golden”, while the event lasted.

    It may not be out of place if Gbogan Road is renamed Goldberg Road, albeit temporarily, for that is where the Goldberg Beer Village is. For 21 days, culture and tradition enthusiasts, tourists, revellers and visitors trooped to the Goldberg Beer Village to relish bottles of Goldberg Beer.

    What the visitors to the beer village got in return was the best of fun and excitement in an atmosphere of conviviality. Many comic and musical acts thrilled the crowd and ensured that there was no dull moment.

    Speaking on Goldberg’s sponsorship of the 2013 Osun Osogbo Festival, Mr. Mfon Bassey, Brand Manager – Goldberg, Nigerian Breweries Plc. said: “The Osun Osogbo Festival is one of the most prominent cultural festivals in Nigeria. As a premium lager beer, Goldberg is proud to be associated with a festival of iconic status. Our association with the festival reflects our commitment to upholding the tenets of a prominent Nigerian tradition and ensuring that it does not go into extinction. That’s why Goldberg came on board as a major sponsor.”

    On why the brand set up the Goldberg Beer Village, Mr. Bassey said: “The Goldberg Beer Village served various purposes. As you well know, the Osun Osogbo festival attracted tourists from Nigeria and outside the country. The Goldberg Beer Village served as a relaxation point for them. We also used the Goldberg Beer Village as an avenue for local acts to showcase their various talents. We had musical acts and deft dancers thrilling the crowd. So the consumers got more value for their money. Just for buying bottles of Goldberg, they were treated to lively music and various forms of entertainment.”

    Goldberg’s sponsorship of the 2013 edition of the Osun Osogbo Festival also coincided with the first visit of the Executive Governor of Osun State to the grand finale procession, since he was sworn in in 2010.

    In his speech at the festival, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said: “We gather again to savour the inexhaustible economic, spiritual and sociological benefits that the festival of this period of the year make possible. Ladies and gentlemen, in celebrating this prominent festival, we must not forget what it connotes. We must continue to imbibe and deepen the non-material values of this socio-cultural engagement. Courage, sacrifice, selflessness, brotherliness, hope and faithfulness remain some of the major values undergirding the celebration of the Osun Osogbo Festival.”

    The Osun Osogbo Festival ended on Friday, August 23. Goldberg, a major sponsor of the festival, is a premium lager beer manufactured by Nigerian Breweries.

  • Joburg City festival holds maiden edition

    The Joburg City Tourism Association will host the very first Joburg City Festival scheduled for the week between Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive, meaning the inner city will come abuzz with activities for 3 weeks straight.

    The Joburg City Festival was launched on 17 – 19 May 2013, where the Joburg City Tourism Association, along with their members and partners JDA; Gautrain; Joburg Tourism Company and Gauteng Tourism, invited and hosted 76 journalists from stretches as far and wide as Botswana to Cape Town, to give them a taste of what the official festival in August will display.

    The festival will run over 9 days and the official programme will offer something for everyone! From art and cultural activaties; tours; music; dance parties; street sports; fashion and lots more.

    ”We are excited about the very first festival as it is ideally scheduled to link the two big cultural festivals, Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive, giving tourists, city dwellers and suburbanites an opportunity to explore their city. We hope that in future these 3 weeks of festivities will put Johannesburg on the map as a destination for winter breaks. The city has been undergoing a massive rejuvenation and the Joburg City Tourism Association endeavours to promote this and the city’s heritage through the festival,” said Margeaux Swartz, JCTA Director and spokesperson.

  • Virgin Atlantic in new market campaign

    Guests were treated to a red carpet reception, a cocktail before being led into Silver Bird Cinema, handed soft drinks and pop corn then the action began. It was a very dramatic way of introducing the new marketing campaign to the audience. After two takes of the classy advert as classy as all things Virgin seem to be, guests sat back and enjoyed a screening of Wolverine, the movie. The stars of the movie seem to have been cut out of the virgin advert.

    About special people:

    Virgin Atlantic Airways recently launched its new campaign in Nigeria. It is a new global brand promo it called Flying in the Face of Ordinary (FITFOO).

    Speaking on the new brand promo, Rachel Coffey, the Country Manager, Nigeria of the airline said: “Our staff hold the keys to the future of Virgin Atlantic, they work so hard and we are delighted to dedicate this new advert to them. I believe it takes a special kind of person to work at Virgin Atlantic and we’re always on the lookout for gifted young people to take our business forward”

    “Over the last few decades, flying has become a common feature of everyday life – whether for short breaks, holidays in exotic destination or business trips within Nigeria and around the world. As flying has increased, so too have expectations. Virgin Atlantic provides the alternative that consumers need, setting us aside from the rest of the industry.”

    Rachel added: “We wanted to capture the essence of Virgin Atlantic with this new campaign and bring the glamour and fun back into long-haul travel. “Flving in the Face of Ordinary” is more than a marketing campaign; it is a powerful brand proposition and long term platform that will be reflected in all areas of the business from communications and marketing to product and service.

    “The advertisement is based upon the lives of real people who work at the airline today and traces the lives of the gifted youngsters born with special skills, and how they later use those talents to become outstanding employees at the airline.

     

     

  • Celebrating heritage of oranmiyan

    Celebrating heritage of oranmiyan

    The ancient town of Ile Ife in Osun State, is  one place that relishes its history as the cradle of the Yoruba race. According to Yoruba cosmogony, Ife was where the world began through the progenitor of the Yoruba race, Oduduwa.  The myth says Oduduwa  descended from heaven  through a chain with three items of creation. He  threw a handful of earth on the water, put a cockerel on the ground to scatter the earth to create the present  Ile Ife from where the world originated.

    The town has a rich culture with world renowned artefacts that date back to more than 500 BC.  A tour of the town affords one the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate its rich heritage. Starting from the palace of the Ooni at Enuwa area of the town, one sees monuments and artefacts that reinforce this history of Ife and by extension, the Yoruba race. It is in appreciation of the heritage bequeathed to them that the Ife people have decided to bring together tourism cum cultural activities that would increase the number of local and foreign tourists that visit the town. One of these festivals the town is currently working to bring the town to international prominence, and in the process, attract tourists and income, is the Oranmiyan festival (Odun Oranmiyan).

    The festival, which is being marketed and co-ordinated by Flabsy Travels and Tours, will hold from  September 26 to 28, 2013, in Ile-Ife.

    Speaking on the festival, Alhaji Bashir Awolorebo, a former federal minister, who said  Odun Oranmiyan is a cultural rebirth that will rally all Yoruba nation to promote the heritage of their forbearers, added that the organiser has taken the right step, and called on all and sundry to give the desired support to make the festival a success.

    The Lufe of Iremo-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin, said, “Ife is the source of all Yoruba nation and Oranmiyan, a war lord and king, played a dominant role at building a great empire within and beyond the Yoruba kingdoms.” He urged tourism  and culture promoters  to work together as one nation in order to promote the richness of Yoruba heritage.

    The Olu of Famia, Obalufe of Iremo-Ife, Akogun, described  Oranmiyan as a king and warrior of many kingdoms before ascending the throne of his father as the fourth  Ooni of Ife.

    He said:  ”Oranmiyan’s place is second to none in the history of Yoruba race.”

    The head of Flabsy said the Ooni has mandated him to  develop a sustaining concept for the festival. He mandated us to promote and let the world know that Oranmiyan deserves to be celebrated as a legend who expanded the Yoruba dynasties from Oyo to Benin and beyond.”

    According to him, “Our history is supposed to be a unifying factor and should not divide Yoruba people. Hence, Oranmiyan festival should be a bond to project our cultural diversity as derivable from a source and for a purpose ordained by Olodumare.

    “Therefore, Yoruba dynasties and the people are one and should be seen as one and totally committed to the sustenance of our cultural values, which is the vision and mission of the Ooni of Ife to see that we foster unity among the Yoruba dynasties and nation through her history.”

    Addressing the royal fathers present, he said: “Our royal fathers, we are here because you are there. The festival is your festival.  You are the owners of this land. We are to support you and make you happy by  sustaining and celebrating our heritage of which you are the custodians.”

    Talking about the Oranmiyan festival,  Mr Olabampe of Flabsy Travels and Tours, said that to make the event more coordinated, registration of participants for the traditional drumming competition and Ayo olopon will start on September 25, at the Ooni’s palace, Ile-Nla.

    “We are expecting 20 participants for the drumming and Ayo olopon competitions, with five finalists to go home with different prizes for their skill, cultural knowledge and promotion.”

    On the second day of the festival (Thursday September 26), chief priests and their family members will be in their white robe regalia to pay obeisance to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade.

    However, the homage to the palace of the Ooni of Ife by the Chief Priests (Eredumi/Akogun) along with their families, will move in a procession for the opening of the grove.

    According to Olabampe, “this year’s celebration is coming with a special festival lecture, with theme, ‘Oranmiyan: What is in a name?’, to be delivered by a guest lecturer, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Osile Oke Ona,  Egba at Oduduwa Hall, OAU, Ile-Ife.

    “Later in the day, the participants would be entertained at the frontage of the palace where the kick-off of  the traditional drumming competitions and Ayo olopon will take place with the competitors slugging out with one another.

    Proposed judges for the drumming competition, according to Olabampe, include King Sunny Ade, Mr. Jimi Solanke and Chief Durojaiye Aremu, who are expected to select the best five drummers for the final round.

    “On Friday 27 September, we will be opening an exhibition of traditional wares, costumes and artifacts, which will be rounded off with the grand finale traditional drummers and Ayo olopon competitions.

    “On September 28, there will be a procession, led by Eredumi and Akogun around the town from the Oranmyan Staff to Lagere through Iremo to the palace and back to the Oranmiyan grove where different traditional groups and chiefs will pay homage to the Ooni of Ife,”Olabampe added.

    For the ancient town of Ile Ife, this is the time for cultural rebirth and time to make the world to stop, listen and experience their culture. For them, with the Oranmiyan, the fourth Ooni of Ife’s legacy all over the town, it is just proper that a festival in his honour should be put in place for the world to come and see.

     

  • ABTA, ACTE to hold events in Nigeria and other countries

    The African Business Travel Association and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives have announced an alliance to collaborate on educational programs and other events commencing with the Johannesburg executive forum on 15 August 2013. According to a joint statement issued by ABTA Founder Monique Swart and ACTE President Suzanne Neufang, the two associations will collaborate on a number of future events emphasizing the role of Africa as a crossroads of global travel.

    “Having  a 13-year history with ACTE, I am delighted our two associations have forged a closer partnership to deliver quality travel management education across the African continent. ACTE’s membership will benefit from ABTA’s expertise in the African business travel industry, while ABTA and its members will gain access to international trends and opportunities through ACTE’s global footprint,” said Swart.

    “ACTE and ABTA have similar priorities in addressing travel management issues and in fulfilling membership needs. Common objectives, shared vision, and realistic expectations  guarantee joint educational endeavors with potent content,” said Neufang. “ACTE has an outstanding reputation for working in concert with other international and regional associations, with full respect for local business cultures and customs. We look forward to working closer with ABTA.”

  • Joburg City festival holds maiden edition

    Joburg City festival holds maiden edition

    The Joburg City Tourism Association will host the very first Joburg City Festival scheduled for the week between Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive, meaning the inner city will come abuzz with activities for 3 weeks straight.

    The Joburg City Festival was launched on 17 – 19 May 2013, where the Joburg City Tourism Association, along with their members and partners JDA; Gautrain; Joburg Tourism Company and Gauteng Tourism, invited and hosted 76 journalists from stretches as far and wide as Botswana to Cape Town, to give them a taste of what the official festival in August will display.

    The festival will run over 9 days and the official programme will offer something for everyone! From art and cultural activaties; tours; music; dance parties; street sports; fashion and lots more.

    ”We are excited about the very first festival as it is ideally scheduled to link the two big cultural festivals, Joy of Jazz and Arts Alive, giving tourists, city dwellers and suburbanites an opportunity to explore their city. We hope that in future these 3 weeks of festivities will put Johannesburg on the map as a destination for winter breaks. The city has been undergoing a massive rejuvenation and the Joburg City Tourism Association endeavours to promote this and the city’s heritage through the festival,” said Margeaux Swartz, JCTA Director and spokesperson.

  • Celebrating heritage of Oranmiyan

    The ancient town of Ile Ife in Osun State, is  one place that relishes its history as the cradle of the Yoruba race. According to Yoruba cosmogony, Ife was where the world began through the progenitor of the Yoruba race, Oduduwa.  The myth says Oduduwa  descended from heaven  through a chain with three items of creation. He  threw a handful of earth on the water, put a cockerel on the ground to scatter the earth to create the present  Ile Ife from where the world originated.

    The town has a rich culture with world renowned artefacts that date back to more than 500 BC.  A tour of the town affords one the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate its rich heritage. Starting from the palace of the Ooni at Enuwa area of the town, one sees monuments and artefacts that reinforce this history of Ife and by extension, the Yoruba race. It is in appreciation of the heritage bequeathed to them that the Ife people have decided to bring together tourism cum cultural activities that would increase the number of local and foreign tourists that visit the town. One of these festivals the town is currently working to bring the town to international prominence, and in the process, attract tourists and income, is the Oranmiyan festival (Odun Oranmiyan).

    The festival, which is being marketed and co-ordinated by Flabsy Travels and Tours, will hold from  September 26 to 28, 2013, in Ile-Ife.

    Speaking on the festival, Alhaji Bashir Awolorebo, a former federal minister, who said  Odun Oranmiyan is a cultural rebirth that will rally all Yoruba nation to promote the heritage of their forbearers, added that the organiser has taken the right step, and called on all and sundry to give the desired support to make the festival a success.

    The Lufe of Iremo-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin, said, “Ife is the source of all Yoruba nation and Oranmiyan, a war lord and king, played a dominant role at building a great empire within and beyond the Yoruba kingdoms.” He urged tourism  and culture promoters  to work together as one nation in order to promote the richness of Yoruba heritage.

    The Olu of Famia, Obalufe of Iremo-Ife, Akogun, described  Oranmiyan as a king and warrior of many kingdoms before ascending the throne of his father as the fourth  Ooni of Ife.

    He said:  ”Oranmiyan’s place is second to none in the history of Yoruba race.”

    The head of Flabsy said the Ooni has mandated him to  develop a sustaining concept for the festival. He mandated us to promote and let the world know that Oranmiyan deserves to be celebrated as a legend who expanded the Yoruba dynasties from Oyo to Benin and beyond.”

    According to him, “Our history is supposed to be a unifying factor and should not divide Yoruba people. Hence, Oranmiyan festival should be a bond to project our cultural diversity as derivable from a source and for a purpose ordained by Olodumare.

    “Therefore, Yoruba dynasties and the people are one and should be seen as one and totally committed to the sustenance of our cultural values, which is the vision and mission of the Ooni of Ife to see that we foster unity among the Yoruba dynasties and nation through her history.”

    Addressing the royal fathers present, he said: “Our royal fathers, we are here because you are there. The festival is your festival.  You are the owners of this land. We are to support you and make you happy by  sustaining and celebrating our heritage of which you are the custodians.”

    Talking about the Oranmiyan festival,  Mr Olabampe of Flabsy Travels and Tours, said that to make the event more coordinated, registration of participants for the traditional drumming competition and Ayo olopon will start on September 25, at the Ooni’s palace, Ile-Nla.

    “We are expecting 20 participants for the drumming and Ayo olopon competitions, with five finalists to go home with different prizes for their skill, cultural knowledge and promotion.”

    On the second day of the festival (Thursday September 26), chief priests and their family members will be in their white robe regalia to pay obeisance to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade.

    However, the homage to the palace of the Ooni of Ife by the Chief Priests (Eredumi/Akogun) along with their families, will move in a procession for the opening of the grove.

    According to Olabampe, “this year’s celebration is coming with a special festival lecture, with theme, ‘Oranmiyan: What is in a name?’, to be delivered by a guest lecturer, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Osile Oke Ona,  Egba at Oduduwa Hall, OAU, Ile-Ife.

    “Later in the day, the participants would be entertained at the frontage of the palace where the kick-off of  the traditional drumming competitions and Ayo olopon will take place with the competitors slugging out with one another.

    Proposed judges for the drumming competition, according to Olabampe, include King Sunny Ade, Mr. Jimi Solanke and Chief Durojaiye Aremu, who are expected to select the best five drummers for the final round.

    “On Friday 27 September, we will be opening an exhibition of traditional wares, costumes and artifacts, which will be rounded off with the grand finale traditional drummers and Ayo olopon competitions.

    “On September 28, there will be a procession, led by Eredumi and Akogun around the town from the Oranmyan Staff to Lagere through Iremo to the palace and back to the Oranmiyan grove where different traditional groups and chiefs will pay homage to the Ooni of Ife,”Olabampe added.

    For the ancient town of Ile Ife, this is the time for cultural rebirth and time to make the world to stop, listen and experience their culture. For them, with the Oranmiyan, the fourth Ooni of Ife’s legacy all over the town, it is just proper that a festival in his honour should be put in place for the world to come and see.

     

  • Virgin Atlantic in new market campaign

    Guests were

    treated to a red

    carpet reception, a cocktail before being led into Silver Bird Cinema, handed soft drinks and pop corn then the action began. It was a very dramatic way of introducing the new marketing campaign to the audience. After two takes of the classy advert as classy as all things Virgin seem to be, guests sat back and enjoyed a screening of Wolverine, the movie. The stars of the movie seem to have been cut out of the virgin advert.

    About special people:

    Virgin Atlantic Airways recently launched its new campaign in Nigeria. It is a new global brand promo it called Flying in the Face of Ordinary (FITFOO).

    Speaking on the new brand promo, Rachel Coffey, the Country Manager, Nigeria of the airline said: “Our staff hold the keys to the future of Virgin Atlantic, they work so hard and we are delighted to dedicate this new advert to them. I believe it takes a special kind of person to work at Virgin Atlantic and we’re always on the lookout for gifted young people to take our business forward”

    “Over the last few decades, flying has become a common feature of everyday life – whether for short breaks, holidays in exotic destination or business trips within Nigeria and around the world. As flying has increased, so too have expectations. Virgin Atlantic provides the alternative that consumers need, setting us aside from the rest of the industry.”

    Rachel added: “We wanted to capture the essence of Virgin Atlantic with this new campaign and bring the glamour and fun back into long-haul travel. “Flving in the Face of Ordinary” is more than a marketing campaign; it is a powerful brand proposition and long term platform that will be reflected in all areas of the business from communications and marketing to product and service.

    “The advertisement is based upon the lives of real people who work at the airline today and traces the lives of the gifted youngsters born with special skills, and how they later use those talents to become outstanding employees at the airline.

     

     

  • UNWTO in Africa holds next week

    The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) 20th session starts from today and will last till next week Saturday at Victoria Falls. It will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia.

    Zimbabwe and Zambia are co-hosts of the session which runs from August 24 to 29 in Victoria Falls and Livingstone respectively.

    The co-hosts are taking over from Republic of Korea which held fort from 2011.

    The co-presidency runs up to 2015 General Assembly to be hosted by either Cambodia or Colombia.

    An advanced secretariat from the UNWTO arrived on Monday and a trilateral meeting would be held today to fine-tune the programme.

    “We are on track, so far so good,” Mzembi said.

    The 20th session of the UNWTO would be paperless in line with the United Nations system’s environmental protection policy.

    The 20th session is also an elective General Assembly as it has to confirm the candidature of secretary general Taleb Rifai.

    Rifai was nominated for another term by the UNWTO’s executive council’s 95th session in Belgrade, Serbia in May.

    It is understood that African countries will support Rifai’s confirmation by virtue of having brought the General Assembly back to Africa. This is the second time that Africa has hosted the meeting, which is equated to the tourism World Cup. Senegal hosted the 17th session of the UNWTO in 2007.

    Zimbabwe is also vying for the chairmanship of the Regional Commission for Africa (CAF).

    By last month, Zimbabwe was the only country that had submitted its candidature for the chairmanship of CAF. The push for the post is designed to influence and lobby for the country’s vision in continental and international bodies.

    South Africa has over the years been aggressive in lobbying for the deployment of its citizens in continental bodies and the UN family.

    At least 65 country delegations have made bookings and registration in Victoria Falls for the UNWTO meeting