Category: Culture and Tourism

GANI CULTURAL FESTIVAL: Niger SSG harps on sustaining cultural values as tool for promoting peace

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The Secretary to the Niger State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane has said that sustaining cultural values remained a vital tool for promoting peace, unity and social harmony in society. Ahmed Matane disclosed this at the 2022 Wawa Annual Gani Cultural Festival held at the Palace of Dodo in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area of the State. The SSG who spoke through the Director of Finance, SSG’s Office, Alhaji Abdullahi Wasagi disclosed that no society can achieve meaningful development in the absence of unity, security and peaceful co-existence, hence the…

Osun tops others at 2022 Annual NYSC Cultural Festival

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The NYSC Osun State contingent emerged as the overall winner in dance competition at the 2022 NYSC Annual Cultural Festival held in Abuja.   Edo and Katsina States also came second and third in the same category. Meanwhile in Drama category, FCT contingents emerged first, while Kano and Yobe Corps Members came second and third.   Also in Comedy, Abia, Oyo and Katsina contingents clinched the first, second and third positions respectfully.   In his address while declaring the Cultural Festival closed, the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai…

HAUSAFEST: Matawalle turbaned as Fagacin Zango, Kumasi

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International Hausa Day Hausa Arts and Culture exhibition known as HAUSAFEST (Ranar Hausa) was celebrated in Zango, Kumasi, Ghana, with Governor Bello Mohammed hosted as Special Guest of Honour. Governor Matawalle, who was at the event on the formal invitation of the organisers of the event, was also honoured and turbaned as the Fagacin Zango, Kumasi, Ghana. The event featured abundant and quality Hausa heritage displays which was also attended by both the Sarkin Zango Alhaji Umar Faruk Sa’eed as well as the Minister in charge of Kumasi, Hon. Ben…

Why we are committed to worship of Osun goddess – Foreign devotees

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Some foreign devotees at the just concluded Osun-Osogbo festival have expressed belief in the sanctity of the Osun deity, saying the annual fiesta offers an opportunity for worship through the sacred grove.   The tourists, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the grand finale of the festival in Osogbo, said the event gave them joy and a sense of belonging in the worship of the Osun goddess.   A Brazilian, Regina Alberto, said she was in Osun specifically for the festival as a…

NIROH celebrates Igbo Unity Day in Awka December

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A social cultural pan Igbo group, Ndigbo Royal Heritage Worldwide (NIROH) may have concluded plans to host Unity Day Celebration that will bring Ndigbo together for possible sober reflection and positive action at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State capital. The President General of the group, Dr. Paul Okoye who made this known in Abuja Monday during a press conference noted the event billed to bring all Igbos together seeks to reinvent a new direction for the people. Okoye who lamented that most things the ethnic group was known…

Zamfara Govt orders Traditional rulers to seek approval before Awarding Titles

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Zamfara State Governor, Dr Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) has directed traditional Institutions in the state to seek approval from the state Government before awarding and conferring traditional titles. “All Emirs, Senior District Heads and District Heads in the state are hereby directed to officially seek permission from the State Government before conferring traditional titles to anyone”, the Governor said. The directive became necessary in order to check indicriminate award and possible abuse of the traditional institution. “Henceforth, no Emir, Senior District Head or District Head must appoint anybody into any…

Historical 500 Year-Old Ajagbon Tree in Soun Ogbomoso Palace perished during 18hr Rainfall

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The historical “Ajagbon” tree in Ogbomoso, previously growing by the fence in the eastside of the palace, has fallen, presumably after more than 500 years of existence. The tree fell in the early hours of Saturday, May 21, 2022, during an eighteen hour rainfall, which began in the evening of Friday, and stopped at about 10am Saturday. The tree which had gradually dried off was totally uprooted away from the fence, drawing the curtain on an important epoch. The loss of the tree is very significant in the history of…

New Och’idoma gets Staff of Office end of June

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Barring last-minute changes, the new Och’Idoma, Dr. John Eliagwu will be formally coronated end of June this year.   The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom disclosed this Monday, May 9th, 2022 at the temporary Palace of the paramount ruler in Otukpo after inspecting the ongoing reconstruction of the traditional rulers’ palace where he also met with other traditional rulers.   He said plans were in place to formally present the Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty and install him at the end of June this year. The Governor said…

Soun Throne And The Allegory Of Esinkesin By Femi OGUNLANA

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News filtered in last week that a young man, who believably acted under alcohol and hard drug stimuli broke into the palace of Ogbomoso, which presently has no official occupier to cause mayhem. The prowler simply identified as Ajanlekoko broke glass doors and inflicted various degrees of injuries on palace workers, many of who had to flee to avoid his swinging devastating punches. Some news medium even insinuated the intruder was out to steal the sacred crown of Soun, a report the palace secretary, Mr. Toyin Ajamu, however swiftly repudiated,…

30th Anniversary : Former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris salutes Maigari of Lokoja. ….. describes Him as A Detrabalised Traditional Ruler.

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Ex Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris has described the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji (Dr) Mohammed Kabir Maikarfi III OON as a detrabalised custodian of the most prestigious traditional institution in Kogi state.   The former Kogi Governor bare his mind in a message of congratulation to the paramount ruler of Lokoja kingdom, saying his over three decades reign had not only brought about peace, unity and stability among ethnic nationalities in the state, but seamless human and infrastructural development.   He recalled when the Maigari of Lokoja ascended the throne…