Culture

Glo promises Spectacular Ofala Festival, Extends Sponsorship Deal to 2025

Published

5 months ago

October 14, 2022

Eric

Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has promised a spectacular 2022 edition of the Ofala Festival of Onitsha, Anambra State. The company, which has been a major sponsor of the annual event since 2011, gave the assurance at a press conference held by the Ofala Steering Committee at Ime Obi, Obi’s Palace, Onitsha, on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

While signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Steering Committee to extend its sponsorship of the festival from 2022 to 2025, Globacom noted that its support for Ofala was because it recognized the huge potential of Nigeria’s tourism sector and the positive impact it could have on the economy.

“Being a truly Nigerian enterprise, Globacom will continue to play a leading role in promoting this sector through support for, and preservation of our rich cultural heritage such as Ofala and other festivals that we sponsor,” Globacom said.

The company referred to a recent World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact Report which indicated that “The Travel and Tourism sector in Nigeria is expected to create 2.6 million new jobs over the next decade, doubling the number of those employed within the sector by 2032.”

“The forecast shows that an average of 260,000 new jobs will be created every year for the next 10 years, to reach more than 5.1 million. It also stated further that Nigeria’s Travel and Tourism contribution to GDP is expected to grow at an average rate of 5.4 % between 2022 and 2032, significantly outpacing the 3% growth rate of the overall economy”, Globacom observed.

Highlights of Globacom’s sponsorship of the 2022 festival include a special promotion to provide subscribers an opportunity to win fantastic prizes including tricycles, popularly called Keke, sewing machines, and grinding machines. The promotion which started on October 3rd will end on October 19. “All a subscriber needs to do to win any of the prizes is to recharge with a minimum of N1, 500 or to buy a minimum data bundle of N1, 000 before the end of the promo,” the network explained.

The celebration will end with a Royal Banquet organized by Globacom in honor of the Obi of Onitsha on Wednesday, October 26, at the Dolly Hills Hotel, Onitsha, and Ofala Thanksgiving service scheduled for Sunday, October 30, at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Onitsha.

The annual event is a customary obligation performed by His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha. The celebration to be held at Ime Obi Onitsha will span two days including Iru Ofala on October 22 and the Azu Ofala on October 23. This year’s celebration is a twin event as the revered monarch will be using the occasion of the Ofala also to commemorate his 20th anniversary on the throne.

Culture

NANTA President Inaugurates Western Zone Secretariat, Recreation Centre

Published

2 months ago

January 27, 2023

Eric

Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, inaugurated the Western Zone Office and Recreation Centre.

Located within the confines of the National Museum of Unity Aleshinloye Ibadan, the bungalow structured complex, has a restaurant, a bar, toilets and lounge area, with a Conference hall for meetings.

Unveiling the edifice and supported by Nanta veterans, led by nanta’s first female President, Mrs Teresa ( ezeobi) OjO, Nanta President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, praised the initiative and leadership of Otunba Babatunde Adesokan for the secretariat project.

“From Abuja, kano , Portharcourt and lagos, my charge and directive to all our zonal leadership, is to make nanta proud by leaving behind legacies and strategic income generating projects which can sustain the association at zonal levels and am happy with what Otunba Babatunde Adesokan has done here. This secretariat and recreation centre is an inspiration and commendable,” Mrs Akporiaye stated.

Ibadan National Museum curator, Mrs Pamela otuka Oriyomi disclosed that nanta western zone was allowed to have a secretariat and recreation centre within the museum complex, due to collaboration agenda of the National Museum leadership in Abuja which believes nanta is at the forefront to drive cultural tourism traffic and also a major player in the promotion ofNigerian historical narratives.

Mrs Teresa Ojo, who spoke for the veterans, expressed happiness with the determination and robust commitment of nanta members and leadership at all levels on changing the Nigerian tourism landscape, effectively and effortlessly, through the promotion of Nigeria at the last World Travel Market in London, first ever by any association, , and urged the Otunba Adesokan led western zone, to break more Ceilings, liberating the zone from the shackles of poverty.

“We are proud with Adesokan and his executive for this cheering effort. We want you to do more, locate and promote local tourism sites and create tourism jobs and other strings of income for members.” Mrs OjO, further stated.

Culture

Anyiam-Osigwe’s Death Has Created a Vacuum Difficult to Fill, Otunba Runsewe Mourns AMAA Founder

Published

2 months ago

January 11, 2023

Eric

President, Africa Region of World Craft Council (WCC) and Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has described the death of 53 years old founder of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe as a painful loss to Nigerian culture and creative sectors.

Runsewe said her death leaves a vacuum difficult to fill and prays that God gives the family, and the entire Nigerian culture and entertainment sector the fortitude to bear this sudden tragic loss in a year, the industry is looking up to create more jobs for youths in Nigeria.

“What a loss to our nation and industry. On behalf of NCAC, my family and the entire Nigerian and African cultural tourism industry, I condole with the ANYIAM OSIGWE FAMILY.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who was also the President, Association of Movie Producers in Nigeria, died at a Lagos hospital, aged 53 years old.

Similarly, the DG NCAC, also commiserated with Mrs. Chika Balogun, former DG, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR) who lost her husband recently and who had been interred according to Moslem rites.

“Mrs Balogun is a valued partner and sister and we, at NCAC sends our heartfelt condolences, wishing Chika to stay strong over the loss of her dear husband.” Runsewe stated

Otunba Segun Runsewe also prayed and sent condolences to Mrs Chioma Ezike of Radio Nigeria and Justina Okpanku of Just Tours, both of whom lost their father and mother respectively.

“These are trying times for these our friends and partners and we thank God for the lives of their parents who lived their full age and gave us these brilliant culture journalists who have been making contributions to the growth culture economy.

“NCAC stands with you both at this hour of your parents passage. Please remain strong” Otunba Runsewe prayed.

Culture

Breaking: Lagos Wins Eko NAFEST 2022

Published

4 months ago

November 13, 2022

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos State contingents at the National Festival of Arts and Culture tagged Eko NAFEST 2022 has been declared winners of this year’s edition of the weeklong cultural fiesta.

The state, which hosted the event, was proclaimed winner at the end of the event at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan having scored the highest number of points.

Ekiti which won last year came a distant third as Rivers and Bayelsa were joint second.