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Tag: Mare Festival

  • Mare Festival ‘has come to stay’

    Mare Festival ‘has come to stay’

    In February 2017, he will be bowing out as governor of Ondo State. Last Wednesday Governor Olusegun Mimiko hosted his last Mare Festival, a mountain climbing cum cultural event, which he initiated eight years ago. He took stock of the programme, saying it has come to stay, irrespective of who governs the state. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports. 

    winners

    Marathon race (Men)
    Osuolale Taiwo (first)
    Fatoyinbo Gbenga (second)
    Olayinka Peters (third)

    Marathon (Women)
    Olamide Oluwaseun (first)
    Ogunyemi Omoyemi (second)
    Balogun Elizabeth (third)

    Mountain climbing (Junior category)

    Akinde Olanrewaju (first)
    Adeboye Clinton (second)
    Owolabi Odunayo (third)
    Mountain climbing (Senior female)
    Ayodeji Folasade (first)
    Akirolayo Aina (second)

    Mountain climbing (Senior male)
    Adekunle Adedoyin Sunday (first)
    Abudu Abiodun (second)

    Beauty pageant contest
    Contestant Number 1 (Overall winner) N150,000
    Contestant Number 3 (1st runner-up) N100,000
    Contestant Number 7 (2nd runner-up) N50,000

    The air was full of excitment. Children and young adults that thronged the Olofin Grammar School Playground at Idanre in Ondo State defied the dusty cold weather as they gathered in the vast open field.
    Many of them arrived four hours before the start of the concert. All through the night till the early hours of Thursday, the fun-seeking crowd danced to the music of no fewer than 10 musicians including the 74-year-old Baba Francis Akintade and Orente crooner Adekunle Gold. Governor Mimiko and some members of his executive council were not left out in the grove. It was the grand finale of Mare Festival 2016, a mountain-climbing cum cultural festival. Other musicians and comedians that performed were Lexi J, Kunle Orlando Owoh, female talking drummer ARA, Blackman and Adeola the rapper.
    The concert was not entirely for the youth alone. For the first time, it attracted the attendance of a top traditional ruler in Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye, the Owa of Idanre Kingdom and his wife who at different times took to the dance floor. It got to its crescendo when Pa Francis Akintade was on stage reeling out some of his evergreen numbers. This became a ‘naira rain’ of sorts for the 74-year-old musician.
    But, the concert was more than entertainment for Mimiko. Symbolically, it was like a valedictory session as he spoke with deep reflection on his eight-year tenure as governor especially his dream for Mare Festival and the development of a tourism corridor in the state.
    “The 8th edition of Mare Festival is incidentally the last of my tenure as governor. However, it is one of the best organised festivals. Mare Festival has come to stay and I have no doubt in my mind that the incoming government will do all to sustain it. God has endowed Idanre with natural resources and there are no two towns like Idanre. I can see a new tourism corridor in Akure/Idanre and this we have been developing since 2009,” he said.
    Mimiko, who was at the all-night concert without his wife, Olukemi, reiterated that his administration impacted the Idanre people tremendously even though some of the projects have not been completed. He pledged that the road between Technical Junction and Yaba would be rehabilitated before February 2017. “It is my parting gift to Idanre people that gave me incredible support in my eight years as governor of the state,” he added.
    Earlier at the presentation of gifts and prizes-standing fans, deep freezers, generators, pressing irons and GOTv decoder- to winners of the raffle draws and marathon race, Mimiko, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade recalled that in 2009, his administration promised to turn Idanre hills into tourism site as Mare Festival brings different people from across the state to Idanre every year. “We hope incoming years will be more rewarding and successful. I assure you that in and outside government, we will always partner you to make Mare great,” he said.
    Ondo State Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Special Duties, Mr. Femi Adekanmbi said Mimiko has projected Idanre to the globe through Mare Festival, adding that the people of the state and Idanre people in particular cannot forget the contributions of Mimiko to the development of tourism in the state. “With the attention paid to the festival, we are hopeful that the next administration will not abandon it because the advantages of Mare are much,” Adekanmbi said.
    Since it made its debut eight years ago, the annual Mare Festival in Idanre featured mountain climbing and marathon race and beauty pageant. Out of the 18 local government councils in the state, only eight councils participated in the festival’s cultural parade held on the final day. They were Owo, Akoko North East, Ilaje Ese Odo, Akoko South West, Ondo West, Akure South and Idanre. Other groups that featured included Isese Organisation (Ondo chapter), and Isua group. Ondo West won the first position followed by Owo and Akoko South West in second and third positions respectively. The highpoint of the night was the presentation of award by Governor Mimiko to Oba Aroloye for his steadfastness and support for the state.
    In attendance at the festival were Oba Aroloye, Secretary to State Government Aderotimi Adelola, Toyosi Adesanya, Onileola Bukola and Kemi Adesanya among others.

    Dark spot
    Tourism stakeholders are however worried by the poor state of the multi million naira leisure facilities constructed few years ago at the foot of the Idanre Hill site. Facilities such as Water Fountains, Thatch huts and wooden rails linking one spot to the other are in a state of decay and no longer fit for human use. These facilities were exclusives to special guests to relax in during previous editions of the festival. Today, they are left to kids. If the dream of getting UNESCO to enlist the site on world heritage list will be realised, the site must be maintained and made functional by restoring these facilities among others.
    Like the facilities, the numbers of food vendors, arts and crafts sellers and participants at this year’s festival were a far cry from the boom recorded at previous editions no thanks to the recession. Unlike past editions, only one motorised float designed as a giant canoe featured in the street carnival accompanied by some dancers and singers. Guest artists at the musical concert also dropped considerably.

  • Mimiko: MARE festival must continue

    Mimiko: MARE festival must continue

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has advised the incoming Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration to continue the annual MARE festival.
    The event, which began in 2009, holds at Idanre Hill in Idanre Local Government Area.
    Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Special Duties Femi Adekanmbi at a briefing in Akure, the state capital, said MARE had been adding to the state’s revenue.
    The commissioner said the festival would start with a lecture titled: “The Economic Importance of Festival to the Development of a State” by Dr. Amos Akingba, the Chairman, Governing Council, State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa at the palace of Owa of Idanre.
    Other events are mountain climbing sports, marathon, beauty pageant, musical concerts and float carnival procession tomorrow.

  • At Mare Festival, 2Face dazzles Ondo youths

    At Mare Festival, 2Face dazzles Ondo youths

    Despite the hard times and biting fuel scarcity, which made movement almost impossible, the Ondo State government kept the spirit of the yearly Mare Festival alive at Idanre. The event featured a marathon race, mountain climbing competition, cultural, musical concerts and raffle draws. Many won prizes ranging from motorcycles to standing fans and table refridgerators, among others, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

    Call it an enchanting dose of musical renditions or an exhilarating musical performances you are right.

    That was the atmosphere at the close of the Mare Festival 2015, a mountain-climbing sport cum cultural festival held at the Olofin Grammar School playground, Idanre in Ondo State penultimate weekend.

    The scintillating performances by the trio of female drummer Ara, Paul Play Dairo and African Queen crooner, 2Fface Idibia, who were the star acts at the festival, held the community spell-bound for several hours.

    After about seven hours of scintillating musical performances by talented young musicians as well as Ara, Dairo and 2Face, the crowd overran the stage at the close of the concert.

    Dairo’s rendition of his classic number Mose orire o took Governor Mimiko, his wife and other guests to the dance floor praising God for His mercy and blessings.

    Other musical acts and comedians that featured were Romario, LSK, DJ Slow, Sahel, Oyes, Innate Music, MC Timi, Melodite, Samba, Psalm 23, Salome, ODD, Ojoro, Iyalode and Southsouth Entertainment.

    The concert got to its peak when 2Face mounted the stage. And when Governor  Mimiko, who arrived the concert at 10 pm, was to give his remark around 2am, the surging crowd become uncontrollable. At a point, the crowd became restless and shouting, 2Face, 2Face, 2Face.

    “We want 2Face,” rent the air that was laden with thick cloud of dust from the marching jubilant crowd. Their plea however got 2Face excited that he disregarded compere’s directive to put his performance on hold for the Governor to speak. This created a scene of some sort as 2Face couldn’t resist the crowd’s urge for more performances. The situation was later brought under control when 2Face was offered a plastic chair to relax on stage, after he had been persuaded by the governor that the performance would continue after he had delivered his speech. Time was past 2am.

    As the crowd maintained some calmness, Governor Mimiko said his administration remains committed to making tourism drive the state’s economy, especially through medical and domestic tourism.

    The concert, which marked the close of the festival was attended by Governor Mimiko and his wife, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, Ondo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Femi Adekanmbi, Nollywood celebrities led by Jibola Dabo, Yemi Blaq, Bimbo Oshin, among others.

    2Face started his performance after an introduction by Ara and followed by the miming of Ebenezer Obey’s evergreen song, Baby mi jowo. That brief duet with Ara added extra flavour to the concert.  His hit songs African Queen and Rainbow were next as he took the crowd into memory lane.  Decked in a black bodysuit on a white T-shirt upon black pant, Tuface dazzled the crowd with his legendry displays. The jubilant crowd however overran the barricade manned by security officials, when 2Face performed his Let somebody loves you hit from his ascension album.

    Earlier, winners who emerged from the marathon and raffle draws, held at the Idanre Mountain Resorts were presented with prizes.

    Information Commissioner Mr. Kayode Akinmade disclosed that by next year, Ondo State representatives would compete in the mountain climbing competition noting that the seeds sown by Governor Mimiko in Idanre would blossom. He said the Golf Course in the state is ready and by February, it would host the Governor’s Golf tournament.

    Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism Mr. Femi Adekanmbi said his dream as the new helmsman in the ministry is to improve Mare from its present level and turn tourism into income generating sector, stressing that ‘we must not depend on oil.’

    He said the sector would be private investors driven that will involve private partnership with stakeholders in the sector. “If it means reaching outside the state for investors, we will not hesitate to do so. Expect a new dawn. I am a goal getter and I will do that in the next one year and Mare will be taken to another level,” he said. Adekanmbi said the state would host its first Ondo Carnival next Easter.

  • Mare Festival holds Dec 18,19

    Major activities of this year annual Mare Festival will hold on  Friday and Saturday December 18 and 19.

    Young music star, Olamide will lead a pack of artistes for the event.

    Mare Festival is an annual festival organised by Ondo state government to celebrate and promote the cultural heritage and showcase the tourism potentials  of the sunshine state

    In a an interactive session  with members of Guild of Tourism  Journalists in Akure  at the weekend the State Commissioner for  Information and Civic Orientation  Mr Kayode Akinmade said “ the budget for the annual event is affected by the economic situation in the country”

    “Although the current economic situation in the  country is not encouraging but we have to do it because it is part of our policy in Ondo State to ensure proper promotion of cultural and tourism events  in the state.  This, we have been doing in a new dimension since Dr Mimiko assumed office as the governor of the state

    Akinmade  disclosed that both local and foreign mountaineers and athletes are expected to perform in the competitions.

     

  • Ondo lifts Mare for tourists

    Ondo lifts Mare for tourists

    Ondo State government raised the bar at this year’s Mare Festival, with the construction of more facilities for tourists and fun seekers, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme.

    Unlike past editions, this year’s Mare Festival offered tourists and enthusiast bountiful menu as they converged on the hilly town of Idanre in Ondo State for 3 days of sport tourism.  From the newly built serene shelter at Habit 1 Tourism Zone, to Idanre Hills Resort that boasts of tree-houses, recreation halls, Ampitheatre and relaxation spots, tourists and athletes and artistes had exciting experiences.

    For Governor Olusegun Mimiko, this year’s Mare Festival was more than exciting. He said the introduction of golf tournament added more colour and glamour to the festival.

    “Next year, there will be two golf tournaments- one in Smoky Hills and the other at the Atosin Golf Course, which is in completion stage. The golf course is unique in terms of its topography.

    He disclosed that the amphitheatre at the resort will host artistic events every month as a way to make Ondo State number one tourists destination. He assured that the state is doing all within its capability to bring Idanre to global tourism map. “This Idanre will no doubt next year be a preferred destination for tourists and fun seekers.  In fact, more of the tree houses will be built while the Mare festival will be bigger,” he added.

    Governor Mimiko who was honoured by Guild of Tourism Journalists of Nigeria, with the Best Domestic Tourism  Brand award, commended the organisers of the festival for their performance.

    The Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo who was special guest lauded the efforts of Governor Mimiko for his commitment towards uplifting the status of the state into a major tourist destination in Nigeria. She said Ondo State is one of the states in the country that has demonstrated serious commitment to developing the state as a tourism hub.

    According to her “as a result of the level of development in the state’s tourism sector, I have continued to promote the various tourism potentials to the global community. Ondo State people are great in hospitality, each time I visit the state, there is always something beautiful that makes me feel at home. As an advocate of domestic tourism, the changes in the state and particularly Idanre hills since the last time I visited it are so dramatic.

    Ondo State is today the shining light in the Medical Tourism in the country. I commend the level of work carried out at the Idanre Resort, which has employed more than two hundred workers.”

    Mbanefo described Ondo State as a major tourism destination because of the large deposit of tourism potentials. The government, according to her, has worked so hard to improve the status of the state economically. “Within my short stay in the office as the Director-General of the NTDC, I have tour more than 20 states and participated in many festivals but south West particularly Ondo state is the best, the development of tourism particularly the resort is an awesome and amazing experience which will be fascinating. The resort is another testimony of the transformational work of the state governor and his team”

    She hinted that Overland Airline has indicated interest to commence commercial flight from Akure-Abuja and Lagos in order to facilitate the movement of tourists and fun seekers to various tourism destinations in the state. She noted that NTDC would ensure that domestic tourism remains the best approach to promote Nigeria tourism and create wealth for the nation and people. “Hence, the corporation is investing on promoting domestic tourism to empower local government at the grass root level and create jobs at the local government level,” she said.

    The Mare Festival featured motorised floats, cultural performances, mountain climbing, fast walking, musical concert and golf.

    Akinbolade Praise emerged first prize winner in the mountain climbing competition while Adekunle Adedoyoin and Sunday Akinwumi won the second and third position respectively. In the female category, Ayodeji Folashade won the first position and a cash prize of 30,000 naira while Oyebade Oluwaseun and Olawoye Damilola won second and third prizes respectively.

    For fast walking competition, Oluwafemi Dele got the first prize. Olowoniyi Abiodun got second prize while Isaac Ayokunle emerged third.

  • Davido, Olamide, Ara for Mare Festival

    Davido, Olamide, Ara for Mare Festival

    This year’s Mare Festival opening tomorrow will be unique and different from  past editions, Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr  Kayode Akinmade has said. He spoke at an interaction with the media at Ile Eri Igi (one of the wooden houses) at Iroko Mountain Resort Idanre.

    Beyond the regular mountain climbing, how ready is the state for the visit of UNESCO officials?

    We are expecting the UNESCO officials to come and look at what we have here as part of the process of enlisting Idanre hills into world heritage sites and with the development that is going on here we are optimistic that Idanre hills will make the list this time around”.

    What are the innovations that will make this year’s festival unique?

    What you are seeing around the resort are indications that we are ready to ensure that this year’s Mare Festival will be like no other because this year’s festival will be that of distinction, unique and there will be many side attractions. We don’t have this type of structure last year. Now, we are creating resort like never before where tourists can come, stay and connect with nature, and enjoy nature it at its best.

    Apart from the normal cultural event and dance we are also introducing sporting competitions such as  table tennis tournament  badminton competition, and other indoor games , not only that we are also creating Idanre as an experience you will treasure for life. Our athletes for the marathon race are also warming up for the events as well as the cultural events.

    “We are also using this event to expose and develop talents among the youths. We have discovered raw talents in this environment and there are many amazing talents. So, we are using the festival to develop them and showcase them to the world. These and many others are our plans to make sure Mare 2014 is a Mare of distinction and a festival like never before.

     How prepared is the state in terms of security?

    Security issue is not what you discuss on the pages of the newspaper but I can tell you we are providing adequate security, in fact, world class security because we are aware of the situation in the country and we are not leaving anything undone to ensure that live of our tourists and visitors are safe.

    For your information, dignitaries expected at the festival include the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief  Edem Duke, Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Commission (NTDC)  Mrs Sally Mbanefo and her team, State Commissioners of Culture and Tourism  from across the country,  Chairman of Elizade Motor, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, who  is also collaborating with us in this project. In fact, we are expecting many people including local and foreign tourists and we are fully prepared.

     Who are the musicians for the gala night?

    Top on the list of entertainers are Davido, Olamide and Ara that will perform at the gala night. Also, prominent traditional rulers in Idanre local government are flag off the marathon race while their subjects and guests will cheer the participants.