Category: Culture & Tourism

Obasanjo’s Outburst: We Are Not Cowards, We Will Respond In Due Course, Says Olugbon.

By Adewale Owoade

The Deputy Chairman,
Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs , King Francis Olushola Alao, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon has said that the Council will respond to the outburst of the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, appropriately.

King Olushola Alao stated this in a statement personally signed by him, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

The outburst of former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo against traditional rulers in attendance at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on Friday September 15 has generated anger and varied responses from true sons and daughters of Oduduwa in all sections of the society.

He said: “First and foremost, I will like to emphasize that the inauguration ceremony was a huge success while the road and campus projects represent another milestone in the development strides of Governor Seyi Makinde who has been working hard to take Oyo State to the next level of development.

“All the royal fathers involved understand the pain caused by the incident and appreciate the well-placed reactions.

“I wish to state that the incident is an internal affair which will be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

“Let me assure all Yoruba, and other well-meaning Nigerians who have respect for the traditional institution, and who feel concerned about the incident that our silence since Friday is not an act of cowardice.

“When we sit down with the Governor, and hold our next meeting, we will review and respond appropriately.

“Our Governor respects us, and traditional rulers in Oyo State also hold him in high esteem.

“I, therefore, sue for calm over this issue. We want everybody to apply decorum in line with the Omoluwabi ethos for which Yoruba are greatly respected. Ile Yoruba land shall remain peaceful. Our unity is sacrosanct. These ethos must reflect in our day-to-day activities.

“Let it, however, be well noted that traditional rulers in Oyo State have no regret in supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last election, and will be willing to support them even in the future.

“This is the clear position of monarchs in Oyo State. Any other information from anywhere that is contrary to this should be disregarded. ”

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: The South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) through her Sister Guardian Initiative has enlightened women in three communities in South-East on causes and effects of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

The NGO carried out the enlightenment within Omor community in Ayamelu council area (in Anambra State) as well as Ibutenze community in Udi council area and Awha Ndiagu community in Ezeagu council area both in Enugu State.

Speaking at the Mothers’ Congress, popularly known as August Meeting, in Awha Ndiagu community on Monday , SSDO Gender and Protection Programme Lead, Mrs Blessing Uchendu, said that the GBV enlightenment would enable women stand up for their rights.

“To show solidarity in supporting the roles women play in family and community development, SSDO through her Sister Guardian Initiative project, engaged in enlightenment in three communities to commemorate this year’s Congress (Meeting), which spanned into September.

“We have built the capacity of women in this community on causes and effects of domestic violence against women and girls, how to report it, where to report it and how to follow it up.

“SSDO is using the congress (meeting) as a medium to create and intensify awareness of women’s rights and them taking advantage of existing laws.

“Other pressing issues discussed during the capacity-building included economic empowerment, political inclusion for women, female genital mutilation and community advocacy on issues that brings progress, unity and peace,” she said.

She said that the team also sensitised the women on how to leverage on Jacob’s Well credit facility platform of the SSDO’s Sister Guardian Initiative to grow their businesses within their rural communities.

Responding, one of the women leaders in Awha Ndiagu community, Mrs Nonye Aniagu, appreciated the SSDO for the enlightenment and offering to help women when they have GBV issues.

“We have gained much enlightenment as well as assurance of strong support for our personal, socio-economic and political welfare, which will have impact on our families and entire community,” Aniagu said.

The Mothers’ Congress, popularly known as August Meeting in Igbo land, is a time when Igbo women from the cities and Diaspora return to their rural communities to lend helping hands to their communities.

They usually embark on projects to improve welfare, healthcare, peace-building and educate among members of the community. (Flowerbudnews)

By Taiye Olayemi
Lagos:  Big Brother Naija All Stars housemates, Whitemoney, Neoenergy, Alex and Sholzy, have been evicted from the show.
The four housemates made their exit from the house on Sunday, during the live eviction show.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the host of the show made the announcement.

According to the vote percentage revealed after the eviction show, Neoenergy had 4.36 per cent, Whitemoney, who emerged as the Season six winner in 2021 got 8.06 per cent while Alex had 13.41 per cent.

Sholzy was just a special guest and had already been informed by Biggie that his stay in the house would come to an end during the live eviction show.

Earlier, Biggie issued Alex and Pere a strike each for breaking the house rules.

The duo had fought on Saturday night over bed space.

Pere had, during the altercation, lifted Alex off the mattress while the latter dragged his duvet.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that housemates are currently contesting for the grand prize of N120 million. (NAN) (nannews.ng/ Flowerbudnews

Enugu:  A popular Gospel Singer, Buchi Atuonwu, popularly known as Buchi, has urged the public to disregard rumour making the rounds in the social media that he has passed on.

Buchi, the global acclaimed gospel singer, refuted the rumour in a telephone interview with newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday.

According to him, there is no truth in this as I am sound, spirit, soul and body.

“It is unfortunate that desperation has driven many to all manner of mischief. Thank you all for your care and concern,” Buchi said.

The report of the purported death of the award winning gospel minister went viral on Wednesday on the social media.

Buchi is a renowned Nigerian song-writer, author, poet spoken word and reggae gospel artist loved by millions around the world. (Flowerbudnews)

By Iyiola Olalere

Oshogbo (Flowerbudnews):   The resurgence of Idol Worshipping with its accompanying ritualism and fetishism, currently ravaging Yorubaland is the handwork of former Osun Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

A former close associate of the former governor, who preferred anonymity, made the declaration in an interview with Flowerbudnews in Oshogbo on Wednesday.

The source, who worked with Aregbesola throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor of Osun state, described Aregbesola as someone who ”is more if an idolator at heart than a muslim”.

He recalled that as governor, ”Aregbesola was always more relaxed at functions of Idol worshippers than Muslim or Christian activities”.

The close associate of Aregbesola pointed that the former governor’s ”’glorification of orunmila etc with symbol of idolatry as his logo should have warned well-meaning people of Osun of a dubious religiosity”.

He pointed out that ”perhaps, Aregbesola’s Islam was a mere camouflage, as he inclined more to Idol worshippers”.

A Muslim scholar, Ustaz AbdulAziz Yakub, who commented on the surging problem of Idol Worshipping in Osun state in an interview with Flowerbudnews in Oshogbo, noted that the menace was now extending from Osun to other states in Yorubaland,

He commended the people of Kwara state for their resilience in resisting the attempt to extend revival of Idol Worshipping to the state.

”Everyone who believe in GOD know that Idol Worshipping is a degradation of the high status that GOD gave man over all of HIS other creations”, he stated.

”How can a sane educated man be promoting the idea of man bowing down and worshiping stone, rivers, iron, thunder etc that are all subservient to man by GOD’s design, Ustaz Yakub said.

He urged former Governor Aregbesola to ”repent and beg ALLAH for forgiveness,” adding that the former governor ”must also start to speak openly against idol worshiping and its accompanying fetism and ritualism – including possible human killing for rituals and fetishism”

A Christian Evangelist, Pastor Adewole Adejare who also spoke with Flowerbudnews in Oshogbo on resurgence of Idol worship in Osun state, dismissed Former Gov. Aregbesola’s popular defence that he was promoting it as ”traditional religion’,,

Pastor Adejare pointed that ”Aregbesola’s re-energising of Idol Worshipping in the name of culture was like taking our people back to the dark ages before the messages of the true GOD came to liberate and civilise our people”,

It will be recalled that former Governor Aregbesola had, on several occasions, explained that he was just trying to be fair by giving more recognition to the traditional religion in Osun state.

He had defended the now annual ‘Isese’ day holiday he approved for idol worshippers in Osun state, justifying by saying that various holidays were also being enjoyed by adherents of other religions.

It will be recalled that Aregbesola had introduced the First of Muharram holiday for Muslims in the early days of his administration in Osun state. (Flowerbudnews)

By Taiye Olayemi

Prof. Uche Waleke of the Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, on Friday urged Nigerians to embrace and uphold their culture to achieve national security and economic development.

Waleke made the call during the investment forum segment of the 16th International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC) in Abuja.

The professor spoke on the theme “Culture, Economic Development and National Security”.

According to him, culture plays a  significant role in economic development and national security.

“The nation has embraced a mono economy for too long hence its challenges of insecurity and minimal economic growth,” ‘Waleke said.

He noted that when Nigeria begins to diversify its economy with a look into the culture industry, it will be better for it.

According to him, creating a more prosperous, equitable and secure society entails  government rendering utmost support to the arts, crafts, fashion, music, movie sectors of the culture industry.

“Mass production of Nigerian cultural products is capable of ensuring employment creation, income generation, export promotion ,creation of some sense of identity and belonging as well as attracting tourists.

“This will also guarantee social cohesion.

“Culture is critical to economic development, skills development should be encouraged as well as good sense of business ethics.

“Also, to enhance the ease of doing business, efficient and non corrupt bureaucracy must be ensured, taxes be harmonised and the culture of paying bribes be dealt with,” he said.

Waleke advised the Federal Government and Nigerians generally to cultivate the habit of savings,  as it  leads to investment,  growth and development.

He said that the government must begin to involve local communities when developing cultural products.

“This will help to ensure that the products are relevant and meaningful to the people who create and consume them.

“Government must work on protecting intellectual property rights so that cultural producers are compensated for their work.

“Government needs  to promote cultural diversity so that all cultures are represented and respected, as well as support small-scale producers so that they have the resources they need to produce high-quality cultural products.

“Nigerian culture that values meritocracy, fair treatment, civility, harmony, rule of law and equality before the law and hard work  is going to produce a far more developed and secured society than a culture that values nepotism and caste system,” he said.

Also speaking, Suleiman Mohammed, National President, Society of Nigerian Artistes, urged Nigerian universities to intensify efforts on conducting research on the nation’s  culture and ways of advancing the sector.

He said this would go a long way in positioning the arts and culture industries.

Picto Uzochukwu, a security expert, said that the issue of national security must be a collective effort of every Nigerian.

He noted that culture had great potential for employment creation, urging Nigerians to tap into the preservation of historical sites as a means  of wealth creation for themselves. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

Exhibitors at the just concluded 19th AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market have commended the organisation of the fair.

The exhibitors who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews said the three-day fair had been impactful on their business as well as educating.

NAN reports that the expo had no fewer that 2,500 delegates from across the globe in attendance.

Aniekan Essienette, Group Marketing Manager, Ibom Air,  said the expo was a good melting point for practitioners in the hospitality, tourism and travel industries.

She said it was a season of networking which would translate to growth in the airline’s business.

She advised that for subsequent editions, the organisers could engage more keynote speakers to educate the industry players for further improvement in their businesses

“We have been able to meet with tour operators and travel agents, we have heard their concerns and we have been able to expose them to new initiatives from us as well.

“This is possible through AKWAABA, we are happy and we look forward to the next edition,” she said.

Also, Oyindamola Fashogbon-Ibironke, Marketing Manager, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, expressed excitement, saying  that she was able to reach out to her targeted  audience.

Fashogbon-Ibironke said even as a first time visitor at the fair, she was educated on some businesses in the value chain of tourism, travels and hospitality.

She,  however,  commended the organiser, Mr Ikechi Uko,  for a well organised fair, as she advised that the next edition be held on a weekend.

According to her, this can  probably attract more visitors to the expo.

Foluke Femi-Sanda, Senior Brand Manager, Gino Nigeria, commended the organiser of the fair and described it as an interesting and rewarding one, which gave her an opportunity to  mingle with international delegates.

Femi-Sanda said the expo had been impactful on the company as revellers became familiar with most of its new products.

Emmanuel Mensah, Manager, Sales and Marketing, Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort, said “I have been attending AKWAABA since 2010, this year’s edition is the best so far, it is most impactful, I am not disappointed at all.”

NAN reports that African cuisines ranging from coffee, condiments and snacks, received huge attention from tourists at the fair.

AGino Nigeria, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism and Ethiopia displayed cuisines across Africa. (NAN) (nannews.ng)