Category: Culture & Tourism

Hotel Registration: Enforcement Team batters hotel staff.

….. NIHOTOUR says hoteliers complying

By Tunde Akano

The enforcement of the hotel registration exercise being carried out by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) turned bloody Wednesday in Lagos as one Ahmed was allegedly brutalised and injured by the Compliance Enforcement Team at the Federal Palace Hotel.

It was gathered that the staff had his eyes battered by the enforcement team and had to undergo emergency surgery to save his sight.

The video is too gory to watch or post.

Explaining what led to the incident, a staff member of the hotel explained, “The gentleman reportedly tried to argue with NIHOTOUR security escorts when they wanted to pick up the hotel’s general manager. This was what happened to him. He lost the eye despite emergency surgery to save his sight.”

The Director General of the Hotel Owners and Managers Association, Lagos (HOMAL), Mr Adeniyi Ologun, explained why the hoteliers are complying with the institute after the incident: “NIHOTOUR has been going round HOMAL members’ facilities since yesterday with a Toyota Coaster bus full of well-armed policemen.

“We had to advise our members not to resist NIHOTOUR and to yield to their pressure by paying in order to avoid unpleasant occurrences such as the above.

“NIHOTOUR is also asking them to complete a form of voluntary compliance/agreement within a few days; otherwise, they will be back in like manner.”

A text message was sent to NIHOTOUR Public Relations Officer Dr Ajiboye Longe to respond to the allegation.

He responded, saying, “The management of NIHOTOUR is investigating this claim, so no comment for now. Thanks.”

Meanwhile, NIHOTOUR revealed, on Wednesday, that most hotels in Lagos are complying with registration.

In a release the institute said, “NIHOTOUR has officially commenced a rigorous compliance exercise across Lagos State, focusing on hotels, restaurants, and other establishments within the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors. This initiative is in furtherance of NIHOTOUR’s statutory mandate to standardise and regulate professional practices within the industry nationwide.

 

“The compliance drive seeks to ensure that all personnel, practitioners, and operators within the sector are duly certified and registered with NIHOTOUR, in accordance with the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022.”

 

Speaking on the development, the Director of Legal Services at NIHOTOUR, Mrs Mariam Inuwa, highlighted the Institute’s legal responsibilities as captured in Section 5(1)(h) of the Act, which authorises NIHOTOUR to regulate the activities of hospitality, travel, and tourism professionals in Nigeria. She further referenced Section 4(o) of the Act, which mandates the certification of all practitioners in order to promote uniform standards, professionalism, and quality service delivery within the industry.

 

“As part of the exercise, several leading establishments were visited, including Marriott Hotel Ikeja GRA, The Sojourner, Sheraton Lagos, Radisson Blu Victoria Island, Black Diamond Hotel, and FourPoints By Sheraton. These visits followed the issuance of multiple letters of demand and contravention notices to the affected organisations.

 

“NIHOTOUR is pleased to announce that Marriott Hotel, The Sojourner, Radisson Blu, Black Diamond, and FourPoints by Sheraton have all commenced the process of registration and certification, in line with regulatory expectations,” she said.

 

This compliance drive, Inuwa said, reinforces NIHOTOUR’s unwavering commitment to repositioning the Nigerian hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors as key pillars of national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Institute will continue to engage stakeholders constructively while ensuring strict adherence to the laws governing the sector.

 

 

By Taiye Olayemi

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, has emphasised the crucial role of public-private partnerships in driving meaningful change for promoting gender parity.

Musawa, during the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) in Lagos, said it had become important to tackle most of the challenges confronting women and girls, which limits their potential.

The theme of the programme is “Accelerate Action for All Women: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.”

According to the minister, collaboration is important considering the report by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) which revealed that women-owned businesses contribute $15 billion to Nigeria’s economy.

She said that women struggle to access capital for their business.

“Building a gender-equal future requires collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“We must go beyond conversations and take decisive and meaningful actions to bridge the gender gap in society.

“We must increase gender-lens, invest and create funding opportunities, specifically tailored for women entrepreneurs.

“We must also focus on building a sustainable future, where women are empowered to lead, innovate, and thrive,” she said.

Musawa commended the NGX for their remarkable effort in leveraging capital markets to channel resources into women-led businesses and gender-focused initiatives.

Also, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, NGX Group, said achieving gender equality demands deliberate and bold actions by the private sector, government, regulators, and the society at large.

Kwairanga noted that it was equally important for everyone to work together to ensure women gain easy access to capital, bearing in mind that an inclusive economy is a thriving one.

He said the NGX is determined to increase women participation in the Nigerian capital market through targeted investment in education programmes and the creation of mechanisms to track gender impact through aggregated data collection and analysis.

“At NGX Group, we live by example. Achieving gender equality demands deliberate and bold actions by the regulators, government, private sector, and society.

“When we accelerate progress for women, we accelerate progress for all. An inclusive economy is a thriving economy, and empowering women is a catalyst for the society,” he said.

Mr Temi Popoola, Group Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, appreciated all women rendering huge support to their gender within the NGX.

He saluted remarkable achievements by women generally and encouraged them to continue to support one another as a lot more could be achieved by the women folk.

Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Managing Director, Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS), called for male-female collaboration to build a harmonious and equitable society.

Speaking on how he was raised by values garnered from women, Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) urged men to respect, honour and take absolute care of the women folk.

Agama acknowledged women’s resilience, hardworking, and resourceful nature.

Also, Ms Chalya Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Entrepreneurial Development, called for further collaboration between the NGX and government to expand investment for women.

Franca Chukwugor, Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement Security and Exchange Commission, challenged women to equip themselves with the needed information to prosper.

Chukwugor advised women against engaging in ilegal investments but thirst after authentic financial knowledge.

Serah Ockman, Manager, Pre-Investment and Advisory Services, International Finance Corporation (IFC) advised women to prioritise investment.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunshola urged women to shun all form of social barriers they have been confronted with in order to further make remarkable impact in the society.

Ogunshola called for public-private partnerships channelled at creating an economic environment where women can access capital, grants needed, wealth creation.

Hilda Baci, Chief Executive Officer of Food by Hilda, admonished women not to desist from learning and teaching one another until the nation achieves an equitable society.

National Museum of Unity Hosts Dialogue on Traditional Music and Dance.

 

By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju

 

The Curator of the National Museum of Unity, Oriyomi Otuka, emphasised the importance of preserving Nigerian cultural heritage through a collaborative project with the French Institute for Research (IFRA-Nigeria).

This project, known as the Alternative Nigeria Heritage FEF Project, aims to raise awareness about Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

At a one-day dialogue tagged “Traditional Music and Dance” for schools in Oyo State, Otuka explained that the project seeks to reveal marginalised objects, attract more visitors to the museum, and encourage interaction with exhibits.

This initiative transforms the museum into an inclusive and vibrant cultural center.

The dialogue focused on fostering deepened knowledge of tangible and intangible cultural heritage through engaging conversations.

Otuka highlighted that intangible cultural heritages, such as sports, crafts, festivals, drama, music, and dance, possess elements of material culture that serve as vehicles for their expressions.

Among the over 2,500 collections of objects at the museum, there is a section dedicated to musical equipment, showcasing a variety of instruments from different groups in Nigeria.

Otuka noted that music and dance share a unique relationship, with musical instruments serving as the basis for dance.

Nigeria is home to a diverse array of dance forms, each reflective of its various cultures. Notable examples include the Minago dance from Plateau, the Udje dance practiced by the Urhobo people, and the Bata dance from Yoruba.

Dr. Delphine Manetta, IFRA-Nigeria representative, commended the collaboration between the Museum of Unity of Ibadan and IFRA-Nigeria. She acknowledged the efforts of Otuka, Mrs. Christiana Alagbe, and Ms. Adejoke Rafiat Adetoro in organising the event.

The event featured facilitators Dr. Olaolu Emmanuel Adekola, a specialist in African musicology, and Oluyomi Duro Ladipo, a multi-talented performing artist.

Some of the schools present included The Polytechnic Ibadan, University of Ibadan, and Lead City University.

By Taiye Olayemi

Winners of the Goge Africa cultural dance competition were on Friday awarded a cash prize of N600,000, in recognition of their exceptional talent and captivating performance.

The cultural dance competition was held during Goge Africa Festival in October 2024, an event that commemorated the 25th anniversary of the brand.

Angus Memorial Senior High School in Somolu, Lagos, bagged the first position, with a cash prize of N200,000

Arch Deacon Adelaja Senior High School in Bariga; Bright Hope Schools in Agege; and Fountain Heights Secondary School in Surulere, all clinched the second position with N100,000 each.

Ashafa Tijani Memorial High School in Iponri, with the third position, also received 100,000.

Speaking during the cash presentation at Providus Bank in Lagos, Mr Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, commended Goge Africa’s initiatives in promoting cultural awareness among young Nigerians.

Aregbe also acknowledged Goge Africa’s efforts in instilling cultural values in children from a young age.

He highlighted the importance of cultural promotion and education in shaping the next generation of leaders.

He also appreciated Gov. Sanwo-Olu for giving utmost support to the creative industry.

“This is the Lagos that we want, and that is what we are getting. Thank you, Goge Africa, for trying to turn these children’s passion to profit.

“Lagos state will continue to support this and everything that supports creativity. Congratulations to the winners,” he said.

Mr Isaac Moses, Chief Executive Officer of Goge Africa, congratulated the winners, urging them not to relent in promoting their culture.

He said that the competition was designed to provide a platform for young and talented dancers to showcase their skills and creativity.

He appreciated the schools that participated and sponsors of the programme.

“We were impressed by the level of talent and dedication displayed by the participating students.

“The competition was fierce, but in the end, these schools stood out for their exceptional performance,” he said.

Also commending the effort of the students, Mrs Chinwe Abana, Coordinator of schools under Goge Africa Foundation, said that no fewer than 21 schools participated in the contest, and only five schools emerged outstanding.

Abana said that the school that clinched the first position presented the South African Zulu dance, as another school gave an energetic performance of the Igbo Atilogwu dance.

She appreciated the schools for their participation.

Emmanuel Soga, one of the winners from Angus Memorial Senior High School, appreciated the Goge Africa brand for the honour to have participated in the dance contest.

According to Soga, he never believed they will be rewarded at the end of it all.

Soga said himself and his colleagues worked tirelessly for six months, rehearsing the Zulu dance before the final presentation.

Present at the event were officials of Providus Bank, Ayoyinka Falade, Event Officer, Brands and Corporate Communications, and Omotayo Idowu, Head of Commerce and SME.

By Taiye Olayemi

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says it is ready to work with the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) to strengthen performers’ rights protection under the Copyright Laws.

Dr John Asein, Director-General of NCC, said this on Wednesday in Lagos during the ongoing NANTAP National Delegates Convention.

The theme for the five-day convention, which will end on Feb. 22, is “Theatre, Politics and National Development”.

Asein said strengthening the performers’ rights protection was needed to address the challenges confronting different categories of performers in the digital age.

He said that some categories of performers were not included in the most recent copyright protection law designed in 2022.

According to him, the commission was not aware of some exceptions and infringements then.

He said this is the reason NANTAP’s effort would be required to strengthen the performers’ rights protection.

“There are new areas that are maturing, and this calls for joint action. The commission will be happy to work with the executive of NANTAP through a technical committee.

“This is to strengthen performers’ rights protection, identify gaps in the value chain, and address them through administrative and legislative actions.

“The team will also look into developing strategies for copyright education and training for service providers as well as theatre arts departments in our schools.

“There is a need to address emerging trends and create legal frameworks to safeguard performers in the digital age, create a more constructive role for theatre practitioners within the copyright ecosystem.

“The team will also look at activating the provisions on the protection of expressions of folklore and work together to ensure the protection and growth of our creative industry,” he said.

Asein recognised the role of theatre practitioners, their contributions to the rise of Nollywood and place in the creative ecosystem.

He noted that with the rise of new digital platforms, collaborations, and globalised distribution, the intersection of intellectual property and performing arts would continue to evolve, presenting both opportunities and challenges for artistes.

He said that as part of the call to action, the commission would develop the outcome of the session into a publication on “Copyright and Theatre Arts”.

He explained that this would be a tribute to two Nigerians who greatly influenced the emergence of performer’s rights in Nigeria.

“These are Dr Sylvester Agbaje-Williams, a theatre enthusiast and key contributor to our modern copyright system; and Chief Hubert Ogunde, the father of Nigerian theatre, who advocated the inclusion of performers’ rights in the Copyright Act in 1988,” he said.

Also, Mrs Lynda Alphaeus, Director, NCC Lagos office, said the present copyright law could compete favourably with world practises but unfortunately artistes had failed to internalise the content for their use.

Alphaeus advised the artistes to take their time to read and understand the laws to be able to apply it.

She said, “The 2022 Copyright laws has made provision for the protection of works on the social media space. It allows NCC to set up dispute resolution panels to resolve copyright infringement cases.

“The new copyright laws now allows artistes to register their works with NCC to tackle issues of ownership, this will ensure further protection of individuals’ intellectual works.”

Prof. Dorcas Odunaike, Professor of Law, Babcock University, harped on the need for Nigerians to be reorientated on every aspect of the Copyright laws.

Earlier, Mr Israel Eboh, National President of NANTAP, said, “This is the time for NANTAP and NCC to work together in view of the need to create awareness on the existing laws.

“We have the human resources. You have the technical requirements.

“I think the problem with practitioners has to do with intellectual laziness. It is unfortunate. How much of the laws we know do we apply to the work we do? We need a change,” he said.

By Taiye Olayemi

The Yoruba people of Nigeria have long been the custodians of rich oral traditions that reflect their unique culture, philosophy, and identity.

However, today, key traditions such as Ijala, Ìrèmọ̀jé, and Ẹkún Ìyàwó are under threat.

Modernisation, globalisation, and diminishing interest among younger generations are causing these important cultural practices to fade into obscurity.

Ijala, a poetic chant traditionally performed by hunters, honours Ogun, the god of iron, while celebrating bravery, nature, and Yoruba cosmology.

Ìrèmọ̀jé, a funerary chant, is recited to honour deceased hunters and reflects on the transition of death.

Also, Ẹkún Ìyàwó, the bride’s lament, marks the emotional journey of a bride leaving her family to join her husband’s, capturing the communal essence of Yoruba marriages.

In spite of their cultural importance, observers believe that these traditions are not merely artistic expressions, but they serve as invaluable cultural archives.

Without immediate action, they risk being forgotten entirely.

Data on the decline of Yoruba culture, language, and traditions paints a worrying picture.

A 2018 UNESCO report cautions that indigenous Nigerian languages, including Yoruba, could face extinction by 2100 due to reduced use among younger generations.

Also, urban yoruba families are increasingly favouring English over their native tongue, especially in formal, educational, and professional settings, further accelerating this decline.

The passing of elders, who have long been the guardians of these traditions, compounds the problem.

As the younger generation becomes more enamoured with Western culture and technology, there is a growing disinterest in the customs and practices of their ancestors.

Prominent figures are sounding the alarm about the disappearance of these invaluable traditions.

Mufu Onifade, a renowned Visual Artist and Culture Administrator, recently revealed the growing extinction of Ijala, Ìrèmọ̀jé, Ẹkún Ìyàwó, and other tonal poetry forms integral to Yoruba culture.

Onifade explains further that Ijala, or hunter poetry, is traditionally recited by hunters to alleviate boredom during expeditions and to unwind at home.

“Ijala is traditionally recited by hunters during their expeditions to relieve boredom or at home to unwind.

“Ìrèmọ̀jé, a variation of Ijala, is recited at funerals to honour deceased hunters.

“Ìrèmọ̀jé is a unique variation of Ijala, specifically recited to bid farewell to deceased hunters”.

Similarly, he describes how Ẹkún Ìyàwó is performed by brides as they leave their family homes for their marital homes, receiving gifts and money in the process.

“Ẹkún ìyàwó is recited by the new bride as she journeys from her parents’ home to the marital home, receiving gifts and money from relatives along the way”.

Onifade expresses his concern over the rapid disappearance of these art forms, stressing the need for preservation and revitalisation.

“I am dismayed at the rapid extinction of these cultural heritage forms,” he says.

He also points to other endangered cultural practices, such as Yoruba soap-making, drum-making, and calabash-making, which are slowly vanishing.

“Our traditional music can now only be encountered in remote communities.

“The affected communities must speak out, and the government should reach out to UNESCO to help safeguard these heritage forms”.

Furthermore, Award-winning master drummer Isioma Williams, also underscores the vanishing art of traditional Yoruba drumming.

Williams, who is the National Coordinator of the Guild of Theatre Arts Drummers (GOTHAD), laments that many indigenous drums are disappearing.

“Drumming holds a vast oral knowledge, But even the renowned Ayan family, traditionally associated with drumming, is reluctant to adopt the art form due to its perceived lack of financial viability”.

Williams also notes the impact of modernisation on Yoruba fashion, with traditional garments like the Agbada and Iro and Buba being altered into more ‘modern’ styles.

“Civilisation has done more harm than good, Our drums, style of drumming, dressing, and language are our identity, they must be preserved.

“As a practitioner, I do not get to see the Koso drums again, even those drums made with calabash like: Bolon, Donso Ngoni, Kora, Soku, and Djidunun all known as water drums,” Williams adds.

In addition, Prof. Adisa Ogunfolakan, a professor of research and archaeology at Obafemi Awolowo University, further laments the decline in the giving of indigenous Yoruba names to children.

“Names are not just labels in Yoruba culture, They carry deep meaning and a sense of identity”.

He argues that the decline in the use of traditional names is a blow to cultural preservation and urges the Yoruba people to return to their roots.

Prof. Ogunfolakan also advocates for the return to traditional marital rites, free from modern influences such as the Alaga-Iduro or Alaga-Ijoko, which have altered the essence of Yoruba marriages.

“We must be deliberate in preserving our culture, Governments and schools must take responsibility for educating the next generation about the importance of our heritage.

“In view of aspects of our culture going into extinction, we must go back to the basics as Africans, other climes protect and jealously preserve their culture and traditions.

“We must be deliberate in preserving ours, Marriages should be consummated in the known traditional way, not with the engagement of Alaga-Iduro or Alaga-Ijoko.

“The families of the husband and the wife should be properly investigated in the traditional ways to guide against problems.

“Government at different levels have a lot to do in preserving our culture, schools must be mandated to inculcate history, culture, and indigenous languages in their curriculum.

“This is important so that children can be taught the importance of preserving our culture early enough.

“Government must also organise workshops and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the essence of upholding our culture”.

All in all, the stakeholders say the erosion of Yoruba cultural heritage is a pressing concern that demands immediate action.

They say preserving these traditions requires collective action from communities, government, and educational institutions.

Through community-led initiatives, government support, and targeted education programmes, it is possible to safeguard and promote these vanishing cultural heritage (NANFeatures).