Events

Anthony Kila Unveils New Book, Owe: Yoruba by Proverbs, to Propagate Yoruba Culture

Published

6 years ago

November 29, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The conference hall of the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) came alive Thursday as the Director of the centre, Professor Anthony Kila, unveiled a book titled Owe: Yoruba by Proverb to further propagate the culture, traditional and language of the Yoruba people of Nigeria and the Diaspora.

The book according to the author, is a journey into the intricate and innermost mind of the Yoruba people, noting that the Yoruba culture is triumphant in the sense that it has blazed the trail.

Kila is of the opinion that the Yorubas remain one of the few people in the world who did not have to sweat or till the ground, fish or hunt to eat. All they had to do was think, research and learn the culture. Those people, he said were the priest, the catechist, seers, advisers and custodians of the culture.

While explaining that the book seeks to understand the ways the society and culture operate, he noted that it is not primarily a book about language, rather it provides an insight into getting to know the proverbs in Yoruba culture as part of everyday life.

Mr. Kila used the opportunity to intimate the people that his pet project on reading called ‘My Library Project’, was on the way and will hit the public space very soon, precisely on December 30, 2018. He cautioned the dignitaries and governments of various states against substituting one subject with another in schools, rather it should endeavour to expanded them. He further noted that the next on the line of major projects is a book on ‘Hausa Proverbs’.

In his remarks the representative of the Lagos State government, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the occasion, the Commissioner for Information. Mr. Kehinde Bamgbetan, expressed the governor’s goodwill message and his solidarity stand with the culture and tradition of the Yoruba oriented book.

The governor, he said, is passionate about arts and culture and the furtherance of the Yoruba culture, more especially.

“We are happy to identify with the author on this occasion because this effort correlates with the commitment of the Lagos state government to champion the arrival of the Yoruba Language. Earlier in the year, his Excellency signed a bill on Yoruba Language preservation and commercial law which made the teaching of Yoruba Language in both public and private schools in Lagos State compulsory,” he said.

He noted that the publication of the book is timely and apt as it makes for ‘cultural renaissance in our society, and gives confidence to our inept abilities to rise to our cultural responsibilities so that the cultural reawakening can be fulfilled. The book demonstrates that out people has the capacity to think’.

Speaker after speaker, the book as well as the author received deserved accolades, even as the Yorubas and lovers of Yoruba culture were encouraged to avail themselves a copy in order to reacquaint themselves with the opportunity to once again come to terms with the culture.

In their various speeches, Gbenga Olowo, Bola Makinde, who spoke via video, Prof Bola Akinferinwa and many others eulogised the book and Prof Kila, and called for whatever it takes to keep the Yoruba language and culture alive.

The event was attended by various heavyweights in the writing and culture preservation business as well as government functionaries among whom were Prof Tola Adeniyi, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba, Otunba Gani Adams, represented by Barr Yinka Oguntimehim, Secretary of Yoruba Elders Forum and Chairman of the occasion, Are Olajide, Chairman of Golfview Hotel, Governor of Sokoto State Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, represented by Alhaji Mohammed Bello; Father of the Day, Engr. Bello Suleiman; Lagos State governor represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kehinde Bamgbetan; Mrs. Wunmi Adegunwa of CIAPS, Mr. Adekunle Adesoko, who represented the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, Mr. Jiye Ojo, Senator Ganiyu Solomon among others.

Events

NANTA Tables Market Penetration Strategies Before Turkish Airlines, Rounds-Off Istanbul Tour

Published

5 days ago

May 19, 2025

Eric

The 9-Man NANTA Delegation to Istanbul, Türkiye on travel trade business collaboration expedition tabled before the management of Turkish Airlines baskets full of trade opportunities and strategies that will create a win-win relationship between the two (2) Organisations.

The strategies covered areas on ease of visa regimes to Türkiye, Hajj and Umrah services, additional frequencies particularly targeting the South-East and South-South region of Nigeria through Port Harcourt International Airport and more incentives for Nigerian passengers travelling through Türkiye.

NANTA’s leadership, which met the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TURSAB) on Wednesday as part of its agenda to expand its reach and collaborate with key global industry influencers, commended the Turkish Airlines’ management, particularly the country’s management in Nigeria for its intentional support and encouragement towards Nigerian travel trade professionals.

Yinka Folami, President, NANTA, who led members of his cabinet to the meeting held on Thursday at the headquarters of the 5-Star Airline located at the heart of Istanbul, disclosed that NANTA is determined to reciprocate the gesture of support by the Airline to registered Nigerian Travel Agents, requesting that the influential global carrier should add its voice to the call for ease of obtaining Turkish Visas by Nigerian passengers as it would help galvanise sales yield for the Airline.

The Association also tabled a request for Turkish Airlines to process charter flights for Hajj and Umrah flights into, and out of Nigeria as the country has a huge Muslim population visiting Saudi Arabia annually.

***Yinka Folami explained that Nigeria is ranked fourth (4th) on the table of countries with huge pilgrimage traffic to the Holy Land, and since Turkish Airlines also have capacity to process these traffic globally and efficiently, NANTA will be pleased to see the Turkish Airlines take advantage of this opportunity”, Noting “a Turkish Airlines flight from Port Harcourt International Airport in the Eastern part of Nigeria, would be welcomed and celebrated too”

On the NANTA 50th Anniversary celebration next year, 2026, Mr. Folami disclosed that Turkish Airlines is the official partner Airline for the event, which would provide critical and crucial marketing promotion opportunities for the Airline to penetrate deeper into the vibrant Nigerian Travel Market.

“We are eternally grateful toTurkish Airlines for this transformative visit to Istanbul and for the exposure to tourism and hospitality offerings available to passengers visiting or transiting through Istanbul. Your *Touristanbul Package* is top-notch, and we commend your professionalism and your efforts to treat your passengers better. We have seen the various layers of opportunities, and it will help us market Turkish Airlines to our customers.

Earlier, Turkish Airlines Manager, Tour Marketing, Abdullah Yormaz flanked by the Charter Manager, Mustafa Pehlivan, who received the NANTA delegation, expressed the Turkish Airlines Management appreciation to NANTA for the visit and collaboration to deepen relationship with the Airline, assuring that all the suggestions and expectations by the visitors would be tabled before the Turkish Airlines’ Vice President in charge of Africa.

He explained that *Touristanbul,* the tourism arm of Turkish Airlines, provides specially tailored tour packages, including eat-out experiences for its passengers on long layouts, and generally ensure that they are taken care of.

The meeting which lasted for over two (2) hours, with about twenty minutes set aside for a documentary highlighting services and places of cultural tourism sites on offer by Touristanbul was attended by Nwza Hanim, Tugba Hanim, a young Nigerian Boozar Zakariyyah, and Hakim Cakar, all for the Turkish Airlines’ team, while NANTA paraded the 1st Deputy President – Mrs. Chinyere Umeasiegbu; 2nd Deputy President – Dr. Olatokunbo Dagunduro; Vice President, Abuja, and Kano, respectively, Mrs. Kemabonta Uloma Ibiwari and Mr. Mohammed Nasir Chamo. Also, in attendance were Vice President, Western Zone – Mr. Babatunde Adesokan; Vice President, Lagos Zone – Mr. Yinka Olapade; Financial Secretary – Mr. Yinka Ladipo; Publicity Secretary – Mrs. Adelola Adewole; National Internal Auditor – Mr. Johnson Ugochukwu; and Chief Administrative Officer – Mr. Stanley Diagi.

Events

Oyo Crowns New Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Owoade

Published

2 months ago

April 5, 2025

Eric

Oba Abimbola Owoade has finally been crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

Owoade succeeds the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who died on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.

The staff of office had earlier been presented to the new king by the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, in January.

He completed the compulsory 21-day traditional rites known as Oro Ipebi last Saturday, March 29.

The coronation event took place on Saturday at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo, where Governor Seyi Makinde led a host of dignitaries, including notable Nigerians.

Dignitaries present at the coronation included the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; and Aare Oona Kankanfo of Yoruba, Iba Gani Adams, among others.

His coronation marked the beginning of the process of enthroning a new king for the ancient and one of the most revered stool in the Yoruba Kingdom.

Today’s event also signaled the beginning of a new era for the sons and daughters of Oyo Town, the State and the entire Yoruba race home and abroad.

Events

Family, Friends Give Dr. Doyin Okupe Befitting Funeral in Lagos and Iperu Remo

Published

2 months ago

March 29, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Tears, amid gratitude for a life well lived, were the mood at the two-day obsequies for for former special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Omooba Dr. Adedoyin Ajibike Okupe-Agbonmagbe, known simply as Dr. Doyin Okupe, when friends, political associates and well wishers gathered in Lagos and Iperu-Remo, Ogun State to pay to pay their last respects.

The politician, who died earlier in February, was honoured with a Commendation Service of Songs at the Trinity House Church, Oniru, Lagos, where Pastor Itua Ighodalo supervised proceedings.

In his sermon, following tributes and bible readings, Pastor Ighodalo eulogised the lifetime of the deceased while thanking God that he served humanity in every capacity he found himself while alive as well as dedicated his life to God while he walked the earthly path.

With key personalities including the Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, speaking glowing about the deceased the service came to a musical end, and the corpse was moved in a motorcade to his hometown, Iperu Remo, where a Wake service was observed later in the evening at the Agbonmagbe Castle home of the late Okupe.

A lying-in-state ceremony followed the next morning where friends, family members and well wishers marched pass the casket, in a last view and payment of last respect.

Thereafter, all roads led the Westly Methodist Church, on Akesan Road for the funeral service, where Reverend Adeseun Atanda in his sermon also extoled the deceased service to humanity and for giving his life God.

Among the many programmers observed at the service was the recognition of his family, who were prayed for blessed as the body made its final journey to the Anglican Church Cemetery, where the remains were finally led to rest, amid weeping and exhortation.

Guests were thereafter treated to a sumptuous reception at the Apostolic School Hall, on Akesan Road, with ceaseless flow of local and intercontinental dishes as well as choice beverages supervised by Cloud9Events, just as Faith Musical Band entertained the guests with sonorous sounds that reverted the mood of agony.

Among high profile dignitaries at the event were Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, Tunde Rahman, Bayo Onanuga, Aare Dele Momodu, Mr. Peter Obi, Mrs. Yemisi Suswam, Pastor Dotun Ojelabi, Prince Bisi Olatilo and Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu.