The Nation Newspaper

Category: Travels on Saturday

  • Naija 7wonders commends Wole Soyinka for Benin Moat visit

    The Seven wonders of Nigeria project Director, Mr. Ikechi Uko has commended Prof Wole Soyinka for visiting one of the least known of the 7 wonders of Nigeria site, the Benin Moat.

    The Moat is one of the seven wonders of Nigeria and last week, the Nobel Laureate paid a visit to the Moat on behalf of UNESCO.

    According to Mr. UKo of all the seven wonders sites in Nigeri, the Benin Moat has received the least attention from government and the people of Edo State as a tourist attraction. Uko believes that the visit to the moat by someone as important and prominent as Prof. Soyinka draws attention to the Moat.

    He said the Naija 7 wonders team has had problems organizing an expedition to Benin to study and draw global attention to one of the greatest works of man in Nigeria and is thrilled that the Prof has helped the cause with his visit.

    The expedition to the moat is expected to happen this year if all the necessary logistics are in place.

    In another development, Uko is proposing to build an Aviation Musuem for Nigeria using the abandoned aircraft as exhibits.

    In a proposal he developed for the aviation managers, he suggested that Naija 7wonders be allowed to develop an Aviation Musuem in Nigeria that will warehouse some of the disused aircraft.

    Nigeria needs an Aviation Musuem with a hall of fame that will inform, preserve and promote Aviation history of Nigeria, the players and the incidents that have shaped the industry over the years. This Musuem will fit properly with the transformation agenda of the government of leaving lasting legacies. It is part of the ideals set out by the seven wonders of Nigeria project which is to present Nigeria in a new light to grow national pride and generate tourism income.

    An Aviation museum, the first of it’s kind in this region will attract tourism traffic and will educate and empower a new generation of aviators. Instead of destroying the aircrafts, they can be put to beneficial use in educating the youths and drawing tourism income. Some of the aircraft are out of production and can be treated as vintage crafts if well packaged.

    Naija7wonders is proposing to work with the authorities to make this project a success in the shortest possible time using time tested methods.

    As a travel promoter I do know that with the cooperation of stakeholders the Musuem will be up and running within a calendar year.

    Naija 7 wonders is the search for the unique wonders of Nigeria, a project started with over 50 judges including journalists, tour operators and other professionals. After 24 months, seven unique sites were chosen as the seven wonders of Nigeria. These sites are , Obudu mountain resort, Sukur landscape in Adamawa, Oke Idanre in Ondo State, Benin moat, Kano walls, Osun groove and National war Musuem Umuahia.

    The second phase of the project is the differentiation and promotion of the sites and an Aviation Musuem sits properly on that list, considering the impact Aviation has had on Nigerias history.

  • India commends tourism in Nigeria

    The Indian Vice-Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General SK Singh, has expressed his excitement at the level of tourism development in Nigeria.

    General Singh, while leading a 5-man delegation on a courtesy call to the tourism village, expressed his gratitude at the reception, stating that it was a privilege to visit the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, pointing out his surprise at the humility of the Director General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe.

    He said that the visit was a follow-up to the former Indian President’s visit in 2007, stressing that Nigeria and India have always had very strong ties using the meeting of Common Wealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) in 2004 as an instance where Otunba Runsewe performed excellently as the organiser of the event, thereby enabling Nigeria, India and Brazil to consolidate on their cordial relationship.

    The Indian VCOAS also expressed the desire of the Indian government to take the relationship to the next level. He said the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the cultural relationship of both countries.

    The NTDC helmsman on his part, said he was very honoured to have the delegation lay emphasis on the strong relationship between Nigeria and India, while noting that the visit was like a dream come true.

    He noted that for the first time in NTDC, foreign delegates came on a courtesy call with their wives, demonstrating that the Indians are one of the most hospitable and loving people in the world. He also noted that the Asian country has a highly medicinal weather condition and gifted doctors all complementing its potential for medical tourism.

    Later, Otunba Runsewe stated that NTDC was willing and ready to visit India to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and enjoy that of the latter as soon as they provided the major cultural festivals India has to offer within the year. The visitors expressed their excitement at the initiative, promising to inform the corporation on their yearly cultural programmes.

    After being presented with NTDC-branded promotional items and a muffler designed with Nigeria’s national colours, the delegates took a tour around the tourism village to relish some of the artefacts on display while taking photographs.

     

  • Obu House: Artifact disappear from NCMM monument site

    Obu House: Artifact disappear from NCMM monument site

    The Obu House in Idi Anaga Compound, Elu Ohafia, Abia State,1 is a historical monument under the National Commission for Museum and Monument (NCMM). It houses some priceless artifacts. Tourists from within and outside the country troop to the site to see some of these ancient relics. But the place is currently crumbling and may soon collapse. As if that is no enough, some of the artifacts have also been stolen. Okorie Uguru recently visited the site

     

     

    The Obu House which the indigenes of Ohafia refer to as Obu Ndi Anaga in Elu, Ohafia Council Area of Abia State, is a tourist site with priceless artifacts. The monument has been attracting tourists to Ohafia for many years. It houses artifacts that are hundreds of years old.

    A replica of some of the artifacts in Obu House is close to 10 feet wooden artwork that adorns the entrance of the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.

    However, Obu House is currently on the brink of extinction as a result of neglect by the NCMM and the activities of a syndicate artifact robbers that are currently pillaging Ohafia and carting away priceless artifacts.

    To understand the Obu House and its artifacts, one has to understand some ancient tradition of the Ohafia people.

    In the olden days, the Obu of every clan was very important in the life of the comunities. Community meetings and rituals were held in them. Activities that took place in the Obu help to protect certain societal values of the people of Ohafia.

    The Obu Anaga served many purposes. it was the place where war strategies and other kinds of adult meetings were held. It was also a place were Ndi Anaga clan held sacred celebrations.

    There was a special ceremony by the Ndi Anaga clan where sacred pot of soup and fufu bowl would be cooked and brought into the house. All the male adults of the clan would come and dip their hands and eat from the same pot. Normally, before the commencement of the festitvity, the deities of the land would be appeased for protecting the clan and prospering them with bountiful harvest from their farms. The reason for the adult eating from the same pot was that if any clan member poisoned his kinsman or slept with another kinsman’s wife were to eat from the pot, the person would die within a year. The Obu created a kind of bond of unity among the Ndi Anaga people and also served as a check against any one committing evil in the clan.

    Inside the Obu are priceless carved wooden art works that are as old as the founding of Ohafia. The carved works are about six in number. There are two tall ones that held the thatched roof of the mud house with four extra that support the first two. These wooden supports are ancient art works with motifs on the body that depict different aspects of day to day life of the Ohafia people in the olden days.

    When this reporter visited the Obu last Sunday, the site was in a deplorable condition. The wooden gate, about three feet which serves as a gate to the place, had given way. The metal corrugated roofing sheet used to protect the Obu House is gradually peeling and falling off from the roof. The artifacts are exposed to the elements. There are gaping holes inside the house whereby rain water penetrates to further damage the priceless work inside and accentuates the process of decay and distruction of the artifacts.

    Inside, the priceless ancient wooden artworks are gradually being damaged by the elements. Some unscrupulous elements had cashed in on the present state of the Obu to steal one of the priceless art works.

    Chief Eke Kalu, who spoke to this reporter on the state of the monument was the former keeper of the house. He said if the NCMM were alive to their responsibilities, it would not have allowed the place to digenerate to such level. “It is really in a deplorable condition and needs urgent attention. The roof is partly off and at the mercy of the elements. It may not survive this raining season if nothing is done.”

    Elu town, the host community, has also put in place a committee to look after the monument in the absence of the NCMM. The head, one Mr. Agbai Oti said they had written several letters to draw the attention of the NCMM but nothing had been done so far. He said the curator of Umuahia Museum, one Mr. Nwaneri had visited the place but so far nothing has not changed. “We have written to the curator to tell him that the place is crumbling . We have written two to three letters and nothing has been done,” he said.

    This writer later called the curator of NCMM, one Mr. Nwaneri on the stolen artifact and the state of the monument. He said he had visited the place for an on the spot assessment and promised that renovation works would commence this month.

    On the inability of the NCMM to secure the place leading to the loss of artifacts, he said the museum has no staff on ground to take care of the monument and that NCMM was partnering with the host community. He said it was individuals within the community that stole the artifacts and that it had been recovered.

    However, the community said the artifacts have not been recovered, even though there are some people who are suspected of having a hand in the disappearance of the stolen artifact.

    The Obu Ndi Anaga was taken over by the Naitional Commission of Museum and Monuments (NCMM) in 1961. Between then and 2006, NCMM employed an attendant who did not only act as a tour guide to tourists visiting the site but was also responsible for the day to up keep. All these was to change when the keeper was disengaged from the employwmnt of the NCMM leaving the site without direct keeper. The curator of the National War Museum , Umuahia was supposed to supervise the place, but that has not been the case. The visits of NCMM officials to the monument have been infrequent and had yielded little or no positive result for the place.

    Mr. Agbai Oti, the leader of the community committee on the museum said the the nation risks losing the anceint works if nothing is done urgently.

    He said the people of Elu Ohafia are calling on the NCMM to renovate and secure the place to avoid the rest of the artifacts from being stolen.

     

  • ‘Sustainability, basis of ITB Berlin success’

    Nigeria will be part of this year’s ITB Berlin tourism fair where social and ecological responsibility in tourism is a key subject. Numerous events will be used to address various aspects of sustainability and socially responsible travel.

    The programme in the Adventure and Responsible Tourism includes discussions and papers dealing with human rights, travel for the deaf and developments on the Caribbean island of Haiti three years after the disastrous earthquake. This year’s environmental protection and social responsibility have also been taken into consideration in the production of the ITB Berlin catalogue and ITB Quickfinder which have been printed using a climate-neutral process with the aim of supporting a geothermal project in this year’s partner country, Indonesia.

    Dr. Martin Buck, Director, Competence Centre Travel and Logistics, Messe, Berlin, said: “For many years, ITB Berlin has recognized the importance of corporate social responsibility. As a result of a growing awareness among travellers, the next few years will see increased demand in this sector. This is a development that we, as the world’s largest travel trade show, reflect and actively promote through our events by featuring various aspects of the subject on our agenda.”

    The compensation derived from the climate-neutral printing of the ITB Berlin catalogues is being used by ITB Berlin in some innovative ways this year which include the support that it is providing for a geothermal project on the Indonesian island of Java. By supporting this climate protection project valuable jobs are created there, local people are being trained in new technologies, the availability of electrical power is being improved and support is also being provided for a school for the benefit of girls in particular. On Friday, 8 March, this year’s partner country is presenting some other ecological and sustainable projects on the small stage in Hall 4.1.b. In addition the ITB Berlin Convention is offering some fascinating insights into the innovative “STREAM project”.

    A number of parks from different parts of the world will be presenting their own eco-friendly concepts. Another of the topics will be the protection of animals living in the wild. This year’s Convention and Culture Partner of ITB Berlin, Azerbaijan will be providing details about its own sustainable tourism concept.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Etihad to upgrade Lagos service

    Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will upgrade its Lagos service to a daily one to meet the growing demand from passengers travelling to and from Nigeria.

    The airline initially launched its service between Lagos, West Africa’s most populous city, and Abu Dhabi on July 1, 2012 with six flights a week, enhancing the links between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

    The new daily service will be introduced on March 31, coinciding with the start of the airline’s new summer schedule, and will significantly improve connections between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, and beyond to key destinations across the airline’s network in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, India, Malaysia and China.

    Maurice Phohleli, Etihad Airways’ General Manager, Nigeria and West Africa, said: “We have received a very positive response from the Nigerian market since launching our service six months ago. Clearly, the people of Nigeria appreciate the superior product and service of the world’s leading airline and we are proud to serve them.

    “Our passenger loads are strong, and we are confident that this route will continue to support the growing flow of business and leisure travellers who fly from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates and onwards over the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi to key commercial and tourism destinations in the GCC, North and Southeast Asia and markets in the Indian sub-continent.”

    The service, comprising a mix of morning and evening departures, is operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured to carry 22 Pearl Business class and 240 Coral Economy class passengers.

     

  • A piece of history at lander museum

    This month is exactly 179 years since the death of Richard Lander, a British maverick traveller and explorer. He was killed on February 6, 1834 during his third exploratory trip on the lower Niger. Ironically, Richard Lander was also born in February.

    In 2004, the Lander brothers marked 200 years of the death of the patriarch of their family, as part of the activities to celebrate the epoch. An expedition trip was organized to follow the same route that Richard Lander took. Richard Lander’s trip took off from Bussa where he presented a medal to the king of Bussa and in return he got the boat he needed to embark on his expedition.

    After the trip, the team decided to donate the boat to the Asaba people. A museum was later built in memory of Richard Lander. The museum chronicles the voyage and activities of Lander. The boat formed the fulcrum of artifact museum.

    The museum is located off the busy Nnebisi Road beside the colonial grave yard. In front of the museum is the imposing sculpted work anchorage. The Richard Lander Museum is appeal is the huge information on display, not just about the Richard Lander, but an insight into the complexion of the area in the 19 century when Europeans became unsatisfied with trading at the coast and became interested in hinterland. These are mostly in form of pictures and text materials.

    The six members of the Lander expedition trip made thier way from Bussa to Asaba just like their forebear. The boat used for the trip was called Goo- will. The team decided to donate the boat to the people of Asaba. This boat and other artifacts that have to do with the expedition and Europeans’ contacts with the people of Asaba are the artifacts one sees, while visiting the Richard Lander Museum.

    Richard Lemon Lander (1804-1834) was an English explorer who made three trips to West Africa. He and his brother, John, were the first Europeans to canoe down the lower Niger River to its delta (where it meets the sea).

    Richard Lander was born in Truro, Cornwall, England on February 8, 1804. He had no formal education, but went on an extended trip to the West Indies as a child.

    As a young man, Lander worked for the Scottish explorer, Hugh Clapperton, and went with him on a trip to West Africa. The expedition (1825-1828) was designed to travel down the Niger River, but it was unsuccessful due to illness and many deaths.

    Clapperton and Lander’s European companions all died early on the trip. Lander and Clapperton both had bouts of illness, and Clapperton died on April 18,1827. African tribesmen later accused Lander of witchcraft, forcing him to drink poison to determine whether or not he was indeed a wizard. Since he survived, the charges of witchcraft were rescinded, and Lander eventually returned to England in July 1828.

    In England, Lander published “Journal of Richard Lander from Kano to the Sea Coast” in 1829 and “Records of Captain Clapperton’s Last Expedition to Africa, with the Subsequent Adventures of the Author”.

    Lander returned to West Africa with his brother, John Lander, in 1830. They followed the lower Niger River from Bussa to the sea, travelling in leaky canoes. Along the way they were kidnapped by some natives,rescued by another king, from Brass, and were reluctantly helped by a British ship. Lander later published “Journal of an Expedition to Explore the Course and Termination of the Niger” in 1832.

    For those who want to know a little more about the period of the scramble and partitioning of West Africa, Asaba and some other places, the Lander Museum is not a bad idea.

  • INVESTOUR promotes business between Africa and Spain

    The fourth edition of the Investment and Tourism Business Forum (INVESTOUR) addressed cooperation and business opportunities between Spain and Africa. Celebrated on the occasion of the Madrid International Tourism Fair (FITUR), INVESTOUR 2013 brought together representatives from 33 African countries and over 50 Spanish entrepreneurs. (FITUR, 31 January)

    An initiative of UNWTO, the Madrid Tourism Fair Institution (IFEMA) and Casa Africa, INVESTOUR 2013 held under the theme ‘Tourism Development in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities’ highlighted some of the key competitive areas for tourism in the region – air connectivity, investment, branding and product development. The B-2-B session, which serves as a business platform for participants, attracted over 50 Spanish companies to explore opportunities around 200 African tourism projects in areas such as hospitality, transportation, education, know-how and infrastructure.

    “Bringing together the public and private sectors with potential international partners, it represents a unique opportunity to reinforce business relations between Spain and Africa and advance sustainable development in the continent”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, opening INVESTOUR.

    Against the backdrop of international tourist arrivals growing by 6% in the region in 2012, the event took place “in a moment in which Africa continues to strive in the tourism map”, he added.

    The importance of the correct strategic planning in tourism to promote Africa’s development was highlighted by the Minister of Tourism of Benin, Jean Michel Abimbola. “The diversification of the economy is the key to attract investment and preserve the millenarian’s traditions through projects such as ecotourism and training”, he said.

    “Africa is a destination and Africa is a market” said the Minister of Tourism of South Africa, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, echoing debates which underscored that in the current economic circumstances, initiatives such as INVESTOUR can make a difference both in promoting tourism development as well as in bringing new opportunities to companies in Europe.

    In closing the event, the Minister of Tourism of Senegal, Youssou N’Dour, underscored that INVESTOUR is “a unique opportunity for African countries to showcase their tourism potential to Spanish investors and partners. Tourism is a sector that can make a difference in our region, and therefore we will continue supporting this important initiative in the future.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Meetings Africa 2013 holds soon

    Meetings Africa 2013 will take on a distinctly pan-African flavour. It takes place from February 18 to 21, 2013 with trade exhibition show days on February 19 and 20.

    Meetings Africa 2013 is being hosted by the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB) and will showcase Africa’s diverse business events product offering.

    Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, executive manager of SANCB, said the strategy is to make Meetings Africa a truly African showcase to grow the capacity of the collective African business events industry and transform regional Africa into one of the world’s business events powerhouses. The theme of this year’s event is “Advancing Africa together”.

    “We want to work with our business event partners on the African continent and want more global and African associations to use the great resources we have in Africa to bolster business event hosting and delivery,” she said.

    She added that Meetings Africa offered the industry and exhibitors an opportunity to see the best of South Africa’s and the continent’s business events industry under one roof.

    “It’s the perfect platform for business events industry professionals to meet, network and create mutually-beneficial business partnerships,”she said.

    Kotze-Nhlapo said she’d like to see Meetings Africa becoming the premier Africa platform for business events.

    The event will see more than 50 African association buyers, 200 international hosted buyers and 200 local corporate and government buyers in attendance.

    International Conference and Incentive Travel Research (ICR) was appointed by SANCB to evaluate and screen international hosted buyers for Meetings Africa 2013 to ensure those that attend have a real interest in bringing their business events and incentives to Africa.

    Several changes have been made to the Meetings Africa format to ensure buyers and exhibitors get as much as possible out of the event. SANCB has introduced a dedicated Seminar Day on 18 February 2013 -before the actual trade exhibition starts – to enable buyers and exhibitors to attend the various targeted seminar sessions.

    The Meetings Africa Association Day will also be held on February 18, 2012 and is a must-attend event for African Association leaders. It is designed to energise and engage association executives. Among its aims are to build the national and pan-African association communities and promote their engagement with international associations.

    A new event at Meetings Africa 2013 is the Decision Makers Forum that will be held on February 19, 2013. It’s a platform for key decision makers and industry leaders to engage to better understand the pivotal role business events can play in generating economic prosperity in South Africa’s cities, municipalities and provinces.

     

    Buyers and exhibitors can once again make use of the highly effective Meetings Africa Business Matchmaking system to pre-schedule appointments online to ensure their time at Meetings Africa 2013 is productively spent. The Meetings Africa Golf Day will take place on 21 February 2013, providing networking opportunities in a different way for corporate executives, hosted buyers and exhibitors

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Valentine’s day : A time to savour nature

    Valentine’s day : A time to savour nature

    An alluring destination makes Cupid’s arrow more poignant. And so, in this period when love is in the air, when love is celebrated the world all over, there are new trends within the tourism industry-the focus in trendy package tours in which the couples are treated as royalties. Now that the St. Valentine’s Day is around the corner,many find it difficult selecting the best destinations to make the day memorable.

    Thankfully, Nigeria’s tourism industry is gradually growing. Domestic tour packagings which were to be virtually absent are now some of the options.

    Taste Love Garden at Obudu with Experience Cross River.

    Experience Cross River, powered by Remlords Group, is putting together a package for the Valentine weekend.

    Couples can book and have a memorable experience at the ranch. The bus will depart Calabar to Obudu Mountain Resort on the morning of February 15.

    At the resort, couples would be treated to a lunch and candle light dinner at Love Garden. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the Couples’ Swimming competition.

    There is also a ride on the cable car, the longest in Africa. However, couples coming from outside the state are expected to come early, so that they can join the bus ride to Obudu.

    Like always, Nigeria’s prime destination-Cross River-still offers other options like Tinapa Resort and its surrounding and many other places.

    La Campagne Tropicana, Ikegun, Lagos is a kind of luxury hide away that has the stamp of class. The resort prides itself on being a paradise beyond imagination. One could understand the reason for the sentiment. With beautiful decorated rooms that are steeped in African motifs, a lush sandy beach , one could understand why the claim of being a paradise.

    Lagos is one state that one is spoilt for choice on where to go.

    As always, the islands and peninsulas that surround the state beckon. For those who may not have the money to places like Obudu, with a little planning ahead of time, one could plan a low budget Valentine experience and still have a swell time.

    Apart from well-rehearsed and much trumpeted sites, there are some emerging tourist sites that possibly, with time, would become full destinations. For families, they could strike out to discover their own beach fronts to enjoy a perfect Valentine. From Maiyegun beach front down to Ikegun and further are beautiful beach fronts brimming with coconut trees. There are so many safe and isolated beaches to go .

    But for those who love to be in places where the booze is on, private beaches such as Oniru and Elegushi beaches are options.

    For those in Ekiti State, the number one spot for Valentine would ordinarily be Ikogosi Waterfall. But due to the renovation activities currently on in the place, the waterfall is closed. But nearby, the water might not be warm, but sparkles and brims with life.

    The Arinta Waterfall is one of the alluring places I have visited.Its surrounding with the pristine, huge trees that hold the rocky hills in warm embrace is always exhilarating. Here, couples and families could have a good time.

    Facorp Mangrove Park at the outskirts of Warri, Delta State have all it takes for lovers and family to have a good time at a rather modest cost. But for those looking for the upscale resorts in Delta State, Abraka Turf Club, one of Nigeria’s leading destinations would not be a bad idea.

    Ada, the idyllic town in Osun State, is the home of MicCom Golf Club. The resort offers everything for relaxation for the Valentine. Here, one is sandwiched by nature and the peace it brings.

    The Olumirin Waterfall, Erin Ijesa is undergoing renovation, but that may not dissuade people from going there. The surrounding may not be bad to spend the time in.

  • Thrills, glamour of 2013 Oodua festival

    Thrills, glamour of 2013 Oodua festival

    The 2013 edition of the annual Oodua Festival would make tongues wagging for some time to come. The festival, which held at the ancient and historical city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, is organised in honour of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race.

    Ife is historically regarded as the homestead of the Yoruba. According to ancient history, on arrival at Ife, Oduduwa and his group conquered the component communities and eventually evolved the palace structure with an effective centralized power and dynasty.

    Virtually every town in Nigeria has a history that dates back hundreds of years, but the ancient city of Ile-Ife has a unique history of its people’s ways of life, as handed down over the years. The ambience of the town is not much different from many other ancient towns in the country, especially in the south-west.

    And so, everyday, tourists troop to the city of Ile-Ife in thousands to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking sites and to have first-hand knowledge of the mysteries which the ancient city encapsulates.

    Undoubtedly, Ife is a place of interest because of the cultural history that surrounds it. A few of the historical sites include the Ile- Oduduwa (Ooni’s Palace), Oduduwa Groove, Opa Oranmiyan (Staff of Oranminyan), Moremi Shrine and the Oduduwa Stature, among many others.

    Signs of what to expect at the grand finale of the 2013 edition of the festival were in the air the previous day when the fifth edition of the Miss Oodua beauty pageant was held at the popular Hilton Hotel. The pageant, according to Otunba Gani Adams, the Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, organizers of the beauty pageant, is part of efforts to promote the festival and make it attractive to the younger generations.

    According to Adams, the beauty pageant serves as a means of getting the younger ones to develop interest in their tradition and culture, as it mainly draws the attention of undergraduates and young graduates.

    The beauty pageant is also an avenue for lovers of culture, especially Yoruba culture and tradition, to know how much of the culture and tradition the younger generation know and are willing to imbibe. On this night, the 16 contestants, all graduates or undergraduates, displayed their understanding of the rich culture of the Yoruba, as they turned out in rich attire one after the other.

    The show also provided a platform for up-and-coming musical acts to showcase their talents and push them into the limelight.

    Interestingly, this year’s pageant was won by a grandchild of the late monarch of the town, Princess Adebimpe Omowunmi Aderemi, a computer science student of the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. She went home with a brand new car and a cash reward.

    With the beauty pageant concluded, all attentions shifted to the grand finale of the festival which held at the Oduduwa Square, right in front of the Ooni’s Palace. It was a showcase of fun, enlightenment, education and display of the richness of the Yoruba culture, as different cultural groups, drawn from various Yoruba towns, battled to outshine one another.

    The Oodua Festival, sponsored by the Olokun Festival Foundation in conjunction with the government of Osun State, brings home Yoruba sons and daughters from within and outside the country to the ancient town to mark the fiesta.

    The foundation is in the forefront of efforts to uphold and promote the enriching intellectual ideals and societal values of the Yoruba culture and tradition, using the various festivals across Yoruba land as vehicle.

    Men, women and children gaily dressed in their best traditional attire thronged the Oduduwa Shrine and the Palace Square to be witnesses to marvellous dance steps and performances that marked the 2013 edition of the Oodua Festival. They all came to pay tribute, celebrate and promote the legacies of Oduduwa.

    Days before the festival, most hotels in town were fully booked by tourists, mostly members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC). The hotels and eateries had hectic time coping with the mammoth crowd that seemed to double every year. In spite of this, security was not a problem, as it was maintained by the combined efforts of the police, men of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and the OPC.

    Various Yoruba states were represented by delegates, while many traditional rulers stormed the venue in honour of Oduduwa and the need to retain his legacies. Prominent among the traditional rulers were His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife; the Bashorun of Oyo who represented the Alaafin of Oyo and other oba and chiefs.

    Aside the fun and celebrations, the festival also presents a forum for relevant authorities in the culture industry to meet and discuss ways of bringing about social and economic development through culture. It will be recalled that experts have propounded that culture, if well harnessed, is a veritable tool for foreign exchange earnings and development. Thus, the festival yearly provides a platform to confer on various ways in which the culture and tourism industry can effectively and efficiently work.

    Speaking at the grand finale, Oba Sijuade called on government and all Yoruba sons and daughters all over the world to support the festival and called on participants to always hold on to God because, according to him, everything on earth is vanity.

    While lamenting the security situation in most parts for the country, the traditional ruler commended the OPC and Otunba Gani Adams for their efforts in promoting the Yoruba culture and urged them not to be weary

    Also speaking, Otunba Gani Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the OPC, lamented that the decline of cultural values in the country was a major factor aiding social vices, such as corruption in public places, adding that western cultural imperialism is a major factor threatening our social economic development.

    He,therefore, called on governments at all levels to mobilize religious groups, institutions of learning and families for the transmission of our cultural values in a proper way “because our rich cultural heritage can provide better opportunity to achieve our unity”, he said.

    According to Adams, culture plays vital roles in initiating developmental activities in a society. He added that culture is also part of the process of preserving history and heritage that can protect posterity.

    The Olokun Festival Foundation, he said, placed great emphasis on the promotion of traditional festivals and other cultural activities in the southwest and that the cultural fiesta has become a forum for exchange of our cherished cultural heritage.

    “Our vision in this direction is to mobilize and encourage our people at various communities in Yoruba land to propagate culture that will promote our national pride and that will ensure the continuity of traditional skills to serve modern developmental needs,” Adams stated.

    According to him, government needs to provide a comprehensive strategy for the documentation of our cultural heritage to protect the coming generation from negative influences, adding that the development of culture should not be left to traditional rulers alone.

    The guest lecturer, Prof. Shiyan Oyeweso, Head of Department of History and International Relations at the Osun State University, in his lecture, entitled ‘Culture and National Rebirth’ called on government to encourage the speaking and teaching of indigenous languages in schools.

    He lamented that while some foreign universities have taken interest in and encouraging the studies of Yoruba more than some Nigerian universities, the Yoruba culture and language were gradually taking a back seat at home, even as he called on Nigerians to return to their various cultures.