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  • Creative platforms elixir for tourism growth, says Awakan

    Creative platforms elixir for tourism growth, says Awakan

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has said that sustainable tourism growth in Nigeria depends on deliberately creating and strengthening platforms that showcase the nation’s rich cultural and creative assets.

    Dr. Awakan made this assertion while speaking as a special guest at the 19th edition of Culturati, Nigeria’s flagship culture and arts festival, held at the Oriental Waterfront, Lekki, Lagos. The event attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, creatives, and tourism stakeholders, underscoring the growing intersection between culture and destination development.

    Describing the festival as both inspiring and nostalgic, the NTDA boss recalled his personal creative journey on the same stage when the platform was known as Sisi Oge.

    “Many years ago, I performed on this very stage with my team in a dance-drama that I wrote and directed. Today, I stand here as the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority. This is proof of how powerful cultural platforms can be, not just for art, but for tourism and nation branding,” he said.

    Dr. Awakan commended the convener of Culturati and Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Tourism, Mr. Idris Aregbe, for sustaining the festival for 19 years and positioning it as a global-facing cultural product.

    “This is the direction tourism development must take. Our culture is a major asset. Platforms like Culturati should not only be preserved but strengthened and exported beyond our borders as tourism products that attract visitors, investment, and global attention,” he added.

    Read Also: Awakan vows to drive Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism

    He noted that cultural festivals play a critical role in promoting cultural tourism, preserving heritage, stimulating local economies, and creating sustainable livelihoods for creatives, while reinforcing Nigeria’s image as a vibrant and diverse destination.

    Hosted by popular media personality Kiekie, the festival featured colourful performances, fashion, music, and storytelling that celebrated Nigeria’s cultural identity. Dignitaries in attendance included the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Erelu Kuti of Lagos, Chief Abiola Dosunmu, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Olu of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, and renowned art icon Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, among others.

    The strong turnout and quality of performances further reinforced Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s cultural and tourism capital, while highlighting the power of culture as a compelling tourism draw.

  • Awakan vows to drive Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism

    Awakan vows to drive Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism

    The newly appointed Director-General Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, has pledged to usher in a new era of innovation, collaboration, and renewed commitment towards repositioning Nigeria’s tourism industry.

    Awakan who assumed office at the Authority’s Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, assured that he would consolidate on the successes of his predecessors and build a more vibrant, efficient, and responsive NTDA capable of attracting tourists and investors to Nigeria.

    “My predecessors have done excellently well to the best of their ability, and the baton of leadership has been passed to me. I will take it up from here,” he said.

    Upon his arrival, Awakan was received by the Management Team of the Authority, led by Mr. Ovie Esewhaye, the Director overseeing the Office of the Director-General, who presented the official handover note. 

    The new helmsman thereafter met with the Directors, toured the NTDA offices, and addressed the general staff at the NTDA Village Hall.

    Awakan expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.

    “I’m happy to be here; this is a new dawn. There’s a lot to be done and by the grace of God, it will be done,” he stated.

    Read Also: Awakan vows to drive Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda through tourism

    “Let me start by appreciating the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.”

    Awakan also acknowledged Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her visionary leadership and tireless efforts in repositioning the sector despite limited resources.

    “The responsibility bestowed on her is weighty, and even with the limited resources, she has been able to push ahead. I am here to complement her efforts,” he noted.

    He stressed the importance of teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity in achieving the Authority’s mandate.

    “We need newness, freshness, and I can’t do it alone. We need collaborative effort,” he said.

    “I operate an open-door policy, no idea is a bad idea; it can be refined into a fantastic one. Let’s make history together and make Mr. President proud.”

    Awakan is an award-winning journalist, thespian, dramatist, poet, and culture and tourism enthusiast. 

    His appointment reflects President Tinubu’s continued commitment to leveraging creativity, culture, and tourism as key drivers of national economic diversification and growth.

  • Awakan’s The Madness That Cures Our Land  premieres

    Awakan’s The Madness That Cures Our Land  premieres

    In a bid to affect societal change through drama, playwright Ola Awakan has unveiled his latest masterpiece, a satirical revelation of society’s fault lines, ‘The Madness That Cures Our Land.’

     According to Awakan, the play which was performed before an audience at the Lagos State University, delves into themes of man’s inhumanity to man, political ineptitude, communal conflicts, social misconduct, and religious intolerance.

     “Man’s inhumanity to man, political inappropriateness, communal conflicts, social misdemeanour, religious intolerance and other noticeable vices in the society are put up as thematic preoccupations in the play, “The Madness that Cures My Land”.

     “There is a way members of a family live among themselves that can make for a better larger society or create a debilitating communalism. I actually beamed the spotlight on the impact of a family in the larger community and how we can avoid crises that are capable of dividing us.

     “Through the lens of various characters, including Benson, Zafeera, Charles, Alhaja Fowosere, Baba Ijebu, Rev Paul, and Professor Choloqual, the play exposes the audience to the realities of everyday life and challenges them to reflect on their own actions and beliefs.

     Despite its critical acclaim, Awakan says ‘The Madness That Cures Our Land’ has faced challenges, particularly in funding and casting. He emphasised the importance of supporting live theatre as a medium for social change and called for more collaborations to reach a wider audience.

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     “Majorly, funding has been an issue. When we decided to use the play, which premiered in December 2023 in Lagos and Abuja, to Universities to commemorate the International Day of Human Fraternity, I, at one point, thought of stopping the tour for lack of support but some persons came to rescue the situation.”

     In reflecting on the play’s message, Awakan urged people to treat others as they would like to be treated and advocates for tolerance and harmony in society. He believes that satires, like his play, play a crucial role in addressing societal vices and promoting behavioural change.

     He advised budding playwrights to choose a path and be passionate about writing to solve problems first.