Author: Salisu Sani-Idris

By Taiye Olayemi

The city of Abuja was agog on Thursday when some cultural troupes from states across the federation displayed the beauty of Nigerian culture in dance and music.

This was when delegates from states visited the Nike Art Gallery and the Abuja Cultural Market as part of activities for the four-day National Stakeholders Conference on review of the 35 editions of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Abuja.

The two tourism sites accommodated locally-made crafts, art works, African fabrics, body ornaments, and many more arts fittings.

The programme was organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 28 states participated in the conference.

They include Anambra, Ogun, Imo, Yobe, Lagos, Osun, Kwara, Imo, Edo, Taraba, Katsina, Kano and more.

Yobe and Anambra states’ cultural troupes and some other states had series of performances, exhibiting the Atilogwu energetic dance and more.

This excited the audience who were also educated in the course of the programme.

Some of the delegates who spoke with NAN said they were impressed with the quality of locally-made crafts displayed at the cultural market commended the effort of the Federal Government toward promoting tourism and culture.

Ahmed Atalla, Real Estate Developer from Egypt who visited the cultural market for the first time, said he had only come to purchase some of those locally-made crafts for his daughter who was currently schooling in the United States.

Atalla expressed his love for Nigerians, describing them as friendly and hospitable individuals.

“I am truly impressed with the quality of crafts and art works I have seen here, they are very neat and colourful. My daughter told me to get some of the materials for her and I have bought enough.

“I love Nigerian food because I love spicy food, especially egusi soup. I love Nigerians, Nigerian music, weather and the colourful culture. I have been having fun since two days that I came,” he said.

Also, Bernhard Schmit, a cultural consultant from Germany, said “Abuja is a beautiful city, the cultural market is also so attractive with the local design in place.”

Hajia Husna Ibrahim, Executive Director, Yobe State Council for Arts and Culture, noted that the visit to the cultural market and Nike Art Gallery was an eye opener for her and her team.

Ibrahim said she had come to the full realisation of the fact that culture remained the Nigerian oil that has not been properly tapped.

She, however, urged the Federal Government to increase the annual budgetary allocation to culture at the state and federal levels, to give room for improvements.

“Going forward, this visit will make significant difference in our operations when we return to our state, we have learnt a lot and we will put them to practise,” she said.

Chief Oluwasesan Fagbaye, Ogun State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, said he would speak with the Governor to replicate such cultural market in the state.

Fagbaye said this would enable tourists gain access to local crafts while artistes market their crafts.

Nagombe Titus, Taraba State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, who was also impressed with the content of the cultural market, promised to ensure that Taraba state was well represented at the market to display their products.

Titus said “This is one of the most interesting moments I have seen since the inception of NAFEST. This conference has redirected our understanding and given us anticipation to develop our culture and arts.

“This has given us the opportunity to understand the synergy between tourism and culture.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

Stakeholders in the arts and culture sectors have urged the Federal Government to merge the tourism and culture ministries.

They gave the recommendation in a communique issued after a four-day National Stakeholders Conference on review of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST),  on Thursday in Abuja.

The review process had state commissioners for tourism, arts and culture divided into eight committees by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), organisers of the conference.

The committees are on : skills acquisition, cultural exchange and training, funding of the arts and culture sectors, establishment of cultural states.

Others are: one state one unique product, synergy between tourism and culture, e-marketing and review of 35 editions of NAFEST.

Dr Gerald Adewole, Chairman of the review committees, said  members resolved that tourism and culture should have a sole ministry because both were interwoven.

“The conference recommended that culture and tourism should remain as one ministry both at the federal and state levels to complement each other and contribute meaningfully to the diversification efforts of government and the Gross Domestic Products of the nation.

“Noting that culture provides the content for the development of tourism, the conference stressed that culture and tourism are intricately interwoven and inseparable,” he said.

Adewole noted that skills acquisition programmes especially for women, youths and the physically challenged through formal education, informal,  traditional skill transfer and apprenticeship was recommended in the communique.

He said that structured international exchange programmes and synergy between local and international non-governmental organisations was also recommended.

He noted that this was neccesary to engender unity in diversity, promote international diplomacy for peace, enhance cross fertilisation of ideas and promote international trade.

He said the conference  underscored the importance of cultural markets in the states as a means of employment and wealth creation, preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and the establishment of one-stop-shop for cultural products.

“So, the establishment of cultural markets in the states to be domiciled in ministry of culture and tourism was strongly recommended.

“The conference identified sources of funding of the culture sector to include government, private sector, multinational organisations, development partners, donor agencies and charity organisations.

“It was therefore, recommended that these sources of funding should be explored by the states.

“We advise stakeholders like Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), RATTAWU and more to work with relevant cultural agencies of government in mounting sustained advocacy in order to push for the implementation of the National Endowment Fund for Arts.

“To achieve this, industry players must work together, and embark on programmes that will not only make them relevant, but indispensable stakeholders in the task of nation building,” he said.

Adewole noted that NAFEST should be sustained, strengthened and developed to the status of a festival that needs no introduction and which encompasses all year round activities.

According to him, this is because the festival remains a veritable platform for fostering national unity, peace, mutual understanding and cooperation among Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic group, culture, tribe or tongue.

“The festival should target different relevant audience such as diaspora community members of the academic community and the tourism sector.

“Programmes which can boost economic activities in the states should be introduced into the festival in a way that missing the hosting of the festival by a state would amount to missing a lifetime economic opportunity,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, NCAC, appreciated the committee members for a job well done.

Runsewe promised to ensure that the  document of the communique gets to each state governor and the federal government for full implementation of all the resolutions.

He expressed optimism that the 2024 edition of NAFEST would be the biggest and most impactful. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) on Tuesday celebrated and projected the African culture in commemoration of the 2023 Day of African Child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day of the African Child is celebrated annually on June 16.

Its aim is to commemorate the SOWETO children’s uprising of 1976, during which thousands of South African students protested the apartheid government’s use of Afrikaans as their language of instruction in Bantu schools.

The event with the theme, “African Culture: African Pride”, held at the University of Ibadan.

Children from various schools engaged in indigenous dances, news casting in local languages and quiz competitions, while they learnt vital aspects of African culture.

Chief Oluwabunmi Amao, Director-General, CBAAC,  said that the centre had deliberately brought children from diverse backgrounds together to celebrate their unique cultures as well as foster understanding and appreciation.

Amao was represented by Mr David Uzuegbu, CBAAC’s Head of Ibadan Operations.

She said the event served as an avenue for young minds from secondary schools within Ibadan to showcase their understanding of their rich culture and heritage, through traditional dances and indigenous news casting.

She said that the theme of the programme was inspired by the urgent need to refocus attention on African’s  eroding culture, norms and values.

She said this was by way of reorientation and socialisation of the values, attitudes of adolescents and the need to make them take pride in their rich cultures.

“It must be noted that the negative behaviours observed among our youths in the recent times, due to decayed value system has assumed a very worrisome dimension.

“Our children’s mindsets need to be transformed and guided to the right direction, from the current negative trends.

“Our culture is strong enough to build and imbibe a good character in our children in order to become great in the future,” she said.

Amao explaned that CBAAC had been saddled with the mandate of preserving, promoting and propagating the cultural heritage of Black and African people globally.

She said this is usually done through arts exhibition, cultural festivals, performance, conferences, lectures,workshops among others.

“Through our numerous activities, the centre has continued to contribute to the pool of universal knowledge on Black and African people,” she said

Speaking on the need to uphold African culture of respect, Alhaja Odunola Lawal, who was the ‘Mother of the Day’, said,  “You all must behave like true African children, cultivate the habit of being respectful, and appreciating others”.

Also, Dr Seyifunmi Olutayo, Director, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, urged children to learn and emulate the culture, norms and values of the land.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that for the dancing competition, Perfect Wisdom College bagged the first position, Jummah Comprehensive College & Everest Private school got the second position, Gift High School came third while Emmanuel College got the fourth position.

Also, for indigenous news casting competition, Shining Stars College took first position, Emmanuel College emerged second, Abadina College came third while Isabatudeen Girls Grammar School got fourth position.

The winning schools were compensated with prizes and all the students were given certificate of participation.

There was also oral poetry presentation which educated the children on the beauty of African culture. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

The President of Travelogue Communications Ltd,Mr Ayo Omotosho, says local communities must begin to benefit optimally from the exploration of their tourism potential.

Omotosho spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, in Lagos.

He said that tourism was a tool that could be used to drive revenue inflow as well as increase employment creation, among others.

The tourism expert said there was the need to create more awareness on such opportunities, which the upcoming Destination Tourism Show would aim to achieve.

Omotosho said that the show, holding in Lagos, with the theme, “Celebrating Diversity in Tourism and Hospitality”, was the fifth edition of such.

He said that the programme, slated for Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, would help to promote community-based tourism through the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State.

According to him, the programme would feature Lagos Local Government Tourism Market, (LLGTM) with a roadshow to communities, giving those communities visibility.

“The 5th Destination Tourism show holds from 29th to 30th November 2023 at Freedom Park and Eko Hotels respectively.

“This year’s destination tourism show will have a special focus on community-based tourism, tourism officers from each of the local government area in Lagos will expose the tourism potential within their local government to the public.

“This will give room for proper education on tourism and in the long run, help to market those potential for improved wealth creation.

“This is to add tourism values and sensitise both the state and local authorities in Lagos State to increase the capacity of local governments to generate and earn tourism revenue.

“The roadshow on community-based tourism will provide an opportunity for business to busines (B2B) and a showcase of handicrafts, including a tantalising journey through local cuisines,” he said.

Omotosho noted that through the roadshow, the needed education would be created.

He said this would also create more employment opportunities for the youths in the local communities by way of opening windows of development for tourism assets and infrastructure in the local government.

Omotosho said to encourage others to do more, those who had done well in tourism, culture travel trade and allied services would be recognised on the second day of the programme.

He said these would include local government chairmen who supported community-based tourism development in their various communities in Lagos.

The tourism expert said the event would enrich the participants, particularly the conference session which would be an eye-opener and help in attracting investors

“Tourism opens minds to unlimited opportunities and there are lots of tourism business opportunities in the local communities,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

The African Art Awakening Forum (AAA) on Wednesday educated no fewer than 150 students of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and others on the application of innovative digital tools in arts.

Mr Raphael O’Que-Guale, President, AAA, during the workshop held at YABATECH, expressed his commitment to enabling students explore the boundless possibilities that technology could offer in advancing the arts industry.

The workshop had the theme: “Digital Empowerment: Leveraging Technology For African Art”.

O’Que-Guale, represented by Mrs Florence Onochie, an artist, said that after the  workshop some of the students would be engaged in an art contest.

According to him, the overall winner will  be given a return ticket to Canada, while the first-runner-up will be compensated with N100,000 and  second-runner-up will be given professional art supplies worth N50,000.

“At this age of rapid technological advancement, the fusion of arts and technology can be a powerful catalyst for transformative change, providing new avenues for expression, promotion, and distribution of our rich artistic heritage.

“As we embark on these three days of insightful discussions, immersive workshops and the celebration of artistic brilliance through our art contest, let us embrace the spirit of collaboration and exploration.

“The African Art Awakening Forum is not just a conference, it is a dynamic platform for dialogue, exchange and most importantly, inspiration.

“Our agenda is to stimulate your minds, ignite your creativity and foster meaningful connections,” he said.

Dr John Adenle of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Lagos, enlightened the students on the essence of engaging digital tools for arts.

“Digital tools enable artists to combine various elements, such as animation, sculpture, photography and painting to develop new art forms.

“Digital art breaks boundaries through interactive installations as well. Sensors and other technologies allow viewers to take part in artwork from digital artists,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Kunle Adeyemi, Director, International Quality Assurance, YABATECH, highlighted the importance of digital image manipulation; digital media techniques; digital printmaking; digital computer and printing; artificial intelligence and art generators.

According to Adeyemi, digital technologies has explored some of the ways in which computers are useful tools for the artist.

He noted that this was not only in terms of the preliminary development of artworks that were realised in other media, but also in the creation of autonomous digital artworks.

He said: “It is a known fact that artists are more commonly originating work on the computer or scanning drawings, paintings, print works or photographs and working on them digitally.

“It has become easier to create black and white line artwork on film or black-and-white, halftone, photographic colour separations on films to make stencils for screen printing or plates and blocks for other methods of printmaking.

“With the development of the digital media, which makes possible the manipulation of slides, prints, digital photographs, much in the way, a painting is developed and modified by using computer software.

“It can then be easily said that photography has moved closer to painting and the boundaries in all the genres of art are coming closer to each other by the day.”

An Impressionistic Painter, Dr Peacemaker Alexandra, took the students through the digital techniques in painting as he advised them on the need to embrace digital technology.

He said it was outrightly possible to do installation art work digitally.

“Digital art has come to stay, so, digital empowerment is important, you need to think more on digitising your works,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

Tour  operators say the crave for leisure and recreation by  Nigerians  is fast  diminishing owing to rising cost of living .

Some of the operators ,in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday , also expressed concern about poor patronage owing  to the development .

Nigerians, globally recognised  as fun lovers , now have to  consider survival over other things as the cost of living continues to soar.

Tour operators are professionals who package  tours to local and international tourist sites.

The tour operators ,who spoke to  NAN, attributed the cause of the  low patronage to high cost of air and road travels,  resulting from  fuel price hike.

Mr Jibola Oluseye, Chief Executive Officer, iTravels and Tours ,said business had not been good since the beginning of 2023.

Oluseye said he had  only  packaged two tours in  2023, just two fewer than the four tours he packaged in 2022.

 

According to him ,business was better before the  increase in fuel pump price  and  COVID-19 pandemic.

He said he had also observed that many Nigerians were now  relocating abroad to live temporarily or permanently owing to the economic situation in the country.

Oluseye noted that to continue to be  in business, he had to create beach camping activities for his clients, because it is less expensive unlike lodging in  hotels.

“Since the beginning of 2023, rate of travels has dropped, people now take interest in traveling abroad than exploring attractions within the nation.

“Change of government, elections and cash crunch,have  also affected our business drastically, but even after all these,  increase in transportation cost  is discouraging people from going for leisure.

“Surviving in the industry demands being creative, engaging in collaborations and having prior knowledge of the facilities an intending visitor is to be lodged,” he said.

Oluseye urged hoteliers and other service providers in the hospitality value chain to desist from marketing products visitors would not eventually gain access to.

He said this had been a problematic issue,affecting  trust  between tour operators  and their clients.

“Service providers in the hospitality industry are not helping us, like hotels.

“They advertise certain services ,but at the end of the day, visitors don’t gain access to such services, projecting tour operators as liars,” he said.

Also, Mrs Maryann Onuoha, Chief Executive Officer of Bella Maria Travels and Tours, noted that Nigerians now travel more for educational and relocation purposes as traveling for leisure drops.

Onuoha said this development had been observed since post COVID-19 era ,but had become more pronounced  since the beginning of 2023.

She blamed the development on increase in price of   air ticket,and difficulty in accessing forex by travellers.

“Travels have taken a different dimension. Before now, many people  always travelled for leisure easily as air tickets and visas were cheaper and affordable.

“Before COVID-19, tickets to Dubai could be as low as N200,000 and it was common to see a family of five or more to  travel for leisure.

 

“But  after COVID-19, Nigerians coming to me are only coming for relocation and educational purposes to Canada, U.S. and  others

“Now, tickets to western nations cost as high as N800,000 and more, depending on the location.

“Indeed tourism for leisure, events and conferencing have been low, Nigerians now survival over other things,including leisure.

“Before now, I  used to package over 100 tours in a year, but now, I can hardly boast of 10 in a year,” she said.

 

Mr Olamilekan Omotosho, Founder of Omotosho Travels and Tours in Kwara , who specialises in marketing tourist sites in  the state ,said he had opted to work as a tour guide owing to low patronage.

He said hike in the price of fuel seriously impacted his business as it had significantly increased transportation cost to the  tourist sites in the state.

“People  run away  on hearing the cost of travelling  to those sites”,he said.

He ,however, urged government at different levels to work assiduously to improve the economy to ease the sufferings of the masses as leisure should be a way of life and not a  luxury.

“Owu Waterfalls is over four  hours drive from Ilorin, also the ancient museum is equally far, people are discouraged from  visiting these attractions due to high cost of transportation .

“The last tour I packaged after a long time was on Sept. 20. People are also discouraged because of insecurity and poor basic amenities in most tourist destinations” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng).