FLY4CHEAPER TO FLY NIGERIA’S FLAG AT 2012 WTM IN LONDON
. Set to launch hotel booking software

 Remi Oladoye

 As the world gathered to present a new dimension in Travel Market in London in November, an  indigenous travel technology company in Nigeria, 9ja travel services limited  will  be the first  company  from Nigeria company  to exhibit at the  world travel market holding in London in November where  it also launched  a  hotel  booking software called  Front desk Manager.

 Briefing newsmen in Lagos recently, the Managing Director of the company Mr Segun Oyebolu said  all is set for  entry of the  front desk  manager software platform that is bound to revolutionalize  hotel booking across the world.

 According to him, “while the Nigeria Tourism Development Showcase our rich tourism potential in London fly4cheaper will be leading other African Technology firms to put on global display a revolutionary platform that will forever change the way and manner hotel rooms are booked around the world

 He said further that” we are particularly pleased that Fly4cheaper.com is at the fore front of travel technology in Africa .having been a technology developer and promoter in the last 20 years of our life, it is instructive that finally in the comity of nations Nigeria will now have a real voice that will be listened to when technology matter is discussed”. Adding that  “ we are exceeding  proud of Nigeria flag and we are definitely looking forward to flying the flag higher  in London when the best Travel Technology firms assemble to present  the new direction in travel”.

Mr oyebolu also disclosed that “ the launching of the front desk manager in London will precede the release of this wonderful software into global market, we are extremely  proud of the fact that we have been able to work our way from a  small Nigerian  company to a veritable  icon in the Travel  Subsector.

 

 

NIGERIANS URGE TO TAKE BOKO HARAM CASE TO GOD AS NCPC HOLDS 2012  PRE PILGRIMAGE  RETREAT

Remi Oladoye.

 Various  speakers at the  just concluded  National Christian pre pilgrimage retreat  held in Lagos  has urged Christians in the country especially those  participating in the year 2012 pilgrimage  to take the case of insecurity and  others  problem facing Nigeria to God in prayer during their sojourn  to the holy land

  Among the speakers  who spoke at the retreat  entitled  Pilgrimage  as a tool for Moral transformation and Spiritual Rebirth were Lagos state governor Raji Fashola, Chairman  Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage  Commission  Most Rev Dr, Nicholas Oko, executive secretary of the commission  Mr. John  Kennedy Opara and  Right Reverend  Professor Dapo Asaju Bishop of Anglican Diocese  Badagry Lagos state.

 Governor Fashola who was represented by  his  commissioner for Home affairs Alhaji Mohammed Danmole   in his welcome address said  Nigerian should  see going to  pilgrimage  as an avenue to pray to  God   for intervention in the   insecurity and economic crisis facing Nigeria and  reiterate his  commitment to  support  people    embarking into the holy land  for spiritual  rebirth

 Also  the  Chairman of the commission  Rev Dr  Nicholas Okon,  Nigerians is a country where  leaders uprightness is  a scarce  commodity, which pave  ways for  indiscipline, disorder, corruption , injustice , robbery, rape  kidnapping  disunity among  the peoples of the nation. Adding that the inability of the leaders at various levels has culminated into the societal crisis which is affecting the nation today.

The Anglican Bishop also caution the religious leaders on immoralities and corruption in the church saying,” we clergy need to check ourselves to be sure that we are not guilty of what we accuse the politicians in government and charged them to be a good example.

 He however warned politician against fanning embers of division against the Unity of Nigeria, “most of the  politicians concentrate on their enclave rather than harmonising  together to   build a formidable centre,” fragmentation is not the problem but disunity an actually  help to weigh it down” he stated.

The executive secretary of the commission Mr. John Kennedy Opara in his address   explained  that the essence of   chosen the topic  for the retreat  is to sensitize participants on the need to se pilgrimage as a tools for moral and spiritual transformation. According  to him “ this is a moment that will define our course, our character, and our pilgrimage for decades to  come, if we succeed  in getting  our pilgrims to be morally and spiritually transformed, they will in turn transform  others and in no distant time our society will be morally  and spiritually transformed”.

 Mr Opara concluded by  appealing to Nigerian to continue to pray for the peace of the nation  and  work together to enhance harmony and peaceful co existence.

Earlier in his sermon, Professor Dayo Asaju  of Anglican Diocese of Badagry  gave  ten reason why pilgrimage  is important for  Christians who can afford it and  urge the  NCPC to live up to expectation  by  ensuring that going for pilgrimage is not for jamboree  but for  a spiritual and moral rebirth.

 Others  at the  retreat   were, chairmen and secretaries of   the 36 state  pilgrimage board in Nigeria and the FCT  , Federal commissioner  representing  the geo political zone  and others stakeholders including travel agencies

NCPC ,GTJ FORM SYNERGY ON MORAL TRANSFORMATION AND DEVELOMENT IN NIGERIA

 Remi Oladoye

 

 National Christian Pilgrimage Commission NCPC  and the Guild of  Tourism   Journalists  Nigeria GTJ  has resolved to  be partners  in promoting peace and   moral transformation  in the country

Mr. John Kennedy Opara, Executive Secretary of NCPC

The resolution was made at a one day seminar  organised by the Guild of Tourism Journalists  held  at  Lagos   Airport Hotel Ikeja   on Thursday where the executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage  Commission  NCPC Mr John Kennedy Opara was the guest speaker.

  The  president of the  Association  Comrade Wale Ojo Lanre  in his address  informed the audience of the  readiness  of the  association to partner with any reputable  organisation   like NCPC in  promoting peace and  moral transformation  in Nigeria

 According to him, the challenges  facing Nigeria as a nation can best be tackled through attitudinal change of  the people , and  assured the   management  of the NCPC   which was lead  by the  executive secretary that Tourism  Journalists  which  aims and focus is to  practice  developmental journalism in the country will not relent  in  sensitizing the public  of the need to support NCPC and others  organization in their bid to promote peace in the nation
 In his lecture entitled “ Pilgrimage: a tool for National Peace Building  said  in any  modern  society, effective and  democratic media are essential  and indispensable  ingredient for peace  and  growth of the nation. He added that the need for free access to unbiased information is the key to peace building . “lack information  can at any stage make people restless, desperate  and easy to be manipulated . the ability to make informed decision  strengthen  societies and fosters economic growth, sustainable  democratic structures and good governance. For this every Nigeria must  act to take full advantage of the FOI act to bring to doorsteps on Nigeria Balanced news.”

 He said further that  Nigerians journalists must stay clear of  reproachful and  bias representation .” if democracy  is to work properly society needs access to news and credible information, media must also speaks against incisive statements especially from  eminent citizens .

 Speaking on the role being played the NCPC  in ensuring moral rebirth in the nation, Mr Opara said  emphasises that Pilgrimage is  not a jamboree  “ we are driving pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth. It is our belief that as individuals going on pilgrimage and encounter God, the pilgrim will in ripple effect positively influence  this lives of his or her family, the  society, and the nation at large. This will in no small measure help citizen to easily align to the government’s transformation agenda.”

While  assuring  that the commission will continue to partner with the media to take  Christian pilgrimage beyond its present level, , Mr Opara also challenged the  media to continue to play an active role is ensuring that peace  reign in Nigeria and urged that  religious  reporting must be done with caution.

Dignitaries at the occasion includes, Federal commissioners   for geo political zone  in the NCPC,  representatives of the  Chairman of Lagos Airport Hotel, media practitioners  among others.

 

OBA ADEYEMI EXPRESSES DISPLEASURE OVER NON-CELEBRATION OF PAST HEROES, SPEAKS ON ORANYAN FESTIVAL

Alaafin of  Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi  III

As the date  for the celebration of  the maiden Oranyan Festivals draw near, the  Alaafin of  Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III has  expresses t his displeasure over the negligence  and non  recognition  of our  past heroes.

Oba Adeyemi  while speaking with Members of Guild of Tourism Journalists   who visited   him in line with the preparation for the forthcoming Oranyan festival scheduled to commence on September  8  in Oyo   lamented t way and manner  in which  the  entire black race do not appreciate and celebrate  their hero who had once made them proud

The first class monarch who is  an embodiment of knowledge  maintained that the  importance attached to the celebrations of the past heroes in  Britain and  others countries of the  world   make them  to be more relevant  even centuries  after they have  gone but  it is not so here in the black race  we are not  celebrating  our hero the way it should be.

“How many people  listen and talked  about those  heroes who had made us proud in the international community  anymore, it is disheartening  to  see that  tombs of some of them are rotten away  and this is very sad we must change the trend”. He said

Explaining  why the celebration of Oranyan festival   the monarch who took  journalist down the memory  lane said Oranyan is the only  son of Odua that has the  biggest  empire, and it is not just an  empire  it is   the longest  empire   existed  the world as it lasted  over 600 years. “Now the phenomenon of Oranmiyan is that he is the only single African leader that has set up an empire that was peaceful  , enduring, that will stood the test of time, it was enduring”.

We  have to celebrate our progenitors and our hero, we are  doing this to achieve  many things  part of  which is to  honour  our hero, revive our culture  and  showcase what we have to the world develop the economy of our land ” So what we are doing now is let us bring it into correct perspective, let people know who is oranyan, probably the maiden edition will be focused on   who is Oranyan we want to be able to tell you briefly not by large or voluminous literature  but by sharply manifestation that Oranyan is a phenomenon which create the greatest empire of the  head of the black race and the black race is oyo

Answering  the question on why it take them so long to  wake up to the challenge  Oba Adeyemi said  “ in contemporary Nigeria, how many time are we celebrating Awolowo or Sardauna of Sokoto or Azikwe,  we’ve forgotten them probably their tombs are rotten away how many of you know or heard much about  Herbart Macaulay, the doyen of Nigerian Politics he was a thorn in the flesh of the British he set up Newspaper in  Nigeria Lagos Daily News,  where is it  who  is celebrating him, who is the first Nigerian Lawyer  Chief Sapara Williams he graduated at the age of 19  in 1878 and he is the only Lawyer that went to court at his time  with only a piece of paper and from there he  recite ten or fifteen of cases off hand and to convince and conform his opponent he was a Yoruba  Man, The first Doctor in  Nigeria  is a Yoruba Man who is celebrating them, then somebody must come up to rise  to this challenge if it is Oba Adeyemi that will  start it ,it is not too late”

 Earlier in his  speech, the president Guild ot Tourists Journalist Comrade Wale Ojo Lanre  lauded  Oba deyemi  for the  role  he  has been playing in  projecting the culture of Yoruba and urged him to continue to do more, he also plegde  the  association's  support to  any course that will promote  and project the black  peoples  race especially  the Yorubas.

Also  vice chairman prganising committee  Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu  while adressing pressmen at  a world confrence  held  at Agbala Ogun  in Oyo corrobrated  Alaafin on the need to celebrate our past heroes  which he said  the Oranyan festival is all about.

According to him,It is meant to showcase our rich and unique, yet peculiar culture. We want to re-awaken a new sense of cultural appreciation among our youth, while also creating opportunities for greater interaction among the citizens of the metropolis for the socio-economic and development of our area. We want to engender people's greater appreciation of the contributions of Oranyan to the development and sustenance of Yoruba culture and civilization in general.

He said  further that "We are celebrating Oranyan festival to remind and impress it upon the sons and daughters of the Yoruba race at home and in the diaspora that the Alaafin is the symbol par excellence of this outstanding legendary Oranyan, and to emphasize the urgent need to accord him his due recognition, respect and honour"

  The retired Bishop   also reveals that  about 35  Yoruba Obas  from other part of the world including emeinent personalities are expected to grace the ocassion

The Marketing Consultant prince Adeoye Aderinwale of  Catalyst communication gave an insight  into the week-long activities for the festival starting on 8,September with the Carnival Float, while Eyi Ara will follow at BCOS, Ibadan the following day. He said that, "activities lined up for the festival during the week of the programme are carefully done to take cognizance of the peculiarity and uniqueness of the festival to our race and culture.

On Septembe 10, there will be opening of Arts and Crafts exhibition, film show documentary on Alaafin Sango and Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III comes up on Tuesday. There will be lecture on Arts and Crafts, veritable sources of economic empowerment by Dr. B. B. Aremu. Gbegiri Day, Musical Concert, Oyo in Diaspora Day and Visit to historical sites is on Friday. The grand finale at Oiude Aremo on Saturday 15thSeptember will feature special festival lecture by Professor Wande Abimbola, praise songs of Alaafins, traditional homage, re-enactment of Oyo Palace Oath of office and cultural display by Yoruba Artistes from Nigeria and diaspora."

 The chairmna publicity  commitee  Prince Bayo Sanda   who also spoke  at the event  called on  yoruba race  to do everything humanly possible to  prevent our  culture from fading away, " we should leant to  appreciate our culture and try to cultivate good," he said.

DURO LADIPO DISCOVERED ME – LAISI GBEBO

Those who are  familiar  with the plays of  late  Duro Ladipo  can  easily identify Laisi Gbebo,   Laisi  Gbebo as  fondly called is from Ila  Orangun, he  was among the contingent that  represented Nigeria in commonwealth in 1965 and he has   participated in many films

Recently in an encounter with the  talented  Gbebo, he said he was born  into a family where education was not cherished   so he was not given  formal education , and that grew up to be a hunter, farmer and a traditional  masquerade  called Eeegun Elewe,  which he is still  doing till  today

  Asked how he was discovered,  Gbebo  disclosed that it was  the late  Duro Ladipo another  ssuper model who discover him in 1965,  according to him “ we went for a performance in Osogbo, the performance was  for Uli beer  and some other people  then, it was at that place that Duro Ladipo a man who i’ve  never met before  asked me to see  him after the show, i  went to him and  we spoke  he  told me i got the talent and i must be encouraged , two weeks  later he came to Ila  to pick me with his   long white car and i followed him to Osogbo”

 Gbebo  also narrating his ordeal at the United Kingdom during the commonwealth  said  it was  a fascinating experience  even though  there is not much in it but i enjoy the little time i spent there,  things were done differently, i play the role of sango  and i did it very well.

 The   renown  artists said  he master the role played  in any film  by memorizing  the  script  after reading it  for him, “ since i don’t know how to read and write,  one they read the script for me or tell me what to do i  will memorise it  and practice till i get it perfectly, i  also  learn the  ijala and other genre of music through ,my father and  colleague, when the  make any rendition, i watch their mouth and  s listen to them speaking after which i mimic  what they  have said,  that is how i became perfect in the   system”

Speaking on the relationship between him and other members of Duro ladipo group, Gbebo  said  though some of them have died but the few of them alive  still have a cordial relationship, we relate as  one and anytime  the  wife of Duro want to  do anything  or need us for her work we  gladly   support her.  One of us is now in Canada,   Oloye Lere Paimo is here, and we relate together we are one.

 Though looking old and  not  rich,  Laisi gbebo said  he has no regret   being an artists, he  said he was happy to  play the role he  has so far played in  promoting the cultural heritage of  the Yoruba people and thank  God   some  of my  children are taking after  me. “ some of them are into egun elewe  dance  which  i am  still  doing, they have master it very well and i am happy with that”.   Expressing his displeasure on the trend in the Yoruba film industry,  Gbebo  said  that  some of their activities did not portray the  Yoruba  culture  very well.

HOW OKE ILA CELEBRATE ISIRO FESTIVAL 2012

 HOW OKE ILA PEOPLE CELEBRATE ISIRO FESTIVAL 2012

  ISIRO festival is  one festival too many,it is a  festival of thanksgiving when the Orangun  of Oke Ila  will lead his people to Almighy God in appreciation of  what he has done  for them in the last 365 days, it is a festival where new  rules are being made for another years , it is a  festival when Kabiyesi will be hosted by the Odoode, an important chief that is relevant to the security of the town.

This year celebration of Isiro festival did not deviate from the normal tradition of the way and manner in which it is being celebrated but with more flavour that add colour to the celebration of Isiro festival.

 On  Saturday 26^th  August 2012, the  erudite  scholar and   a prominent  legal luminary  who is also the  Orangun of Oke Ila  Oba Adedokun Abolarin  led the people of the town to celebrate the year 2012 amidst pomp and pageantry with guest from all walks of life  gather at the  centre of the town to celebrate with the people of Oke Ila.

 At  about 2 pm the  Kabiyesi  who had earlier worship at  Seven Day Adventists church rose from his seat and  moved to  Aworo place  where he entered and pray for the people, Aworo is like a brother to Orangun and it has been a tradition to always visit him on the occasion of  Isiro.  The Aworo  of  Oke Ila Chief Adebayo Oni   while speaking on the importance of the  festival said ,it is a festival  that must be celebrated by  the Kabiyesi,  it is important because  it is to thank God and appease to him for another year.

 After spending few minutes at Aworo’s place  the monarch proceeded to Odoode Compund where he spent about an hour. At Odoode  it was noted that the drumbeat  changed  on his way going to the place  as one of the drummers  in a chart  said  that is the tradition and it must be strictly adhere to, he explained further that the  drumbeat   that ushers in  the king into the Odoode  quarters is   different from the ones he has been dancing to  on his way.

  The kings alongside with   the traditional chiefs were hosted while the crowd that accompany the king to the place waited till they finish what they are doing inside.   Asking why the visitation to odoode is a must for the king  chief Dele  Osundina the Eesake of Oke Ila    disclosed that the Odoode is an important personality in  the town he is in charge of security  and    others in the town.

orangun of Oke Ila Oba  Adedokun Abolarin  having  identified the importance of Isiro festival since his ascension to the throne of his forefather  has been   successfully reviving the dyeing cultural heritage of the  town  and its people  among which is Isiro festival.

 In an interview with the Guild of Tourism Journalist the  Orangun of Oke ila Oba  Adedokun Abolarin said  the  festival is  like our  December and January, when we have to thank God  for  keeping us alive  and  bless us till today and after this  we  will make a new rule that will  guide the town, that is how it has been in the past and we must continue to do it .

 The  first class monarch  explained further that apart from the celebrations  there is also a  programmed  called Laika  during  which the  youth will also gather to  give  gift to the aged  people as a form  of care and respect.” They are doing this because they knew they will also grow and become old one day and i want to urge  Nigerians  to emulate our Laika system of rewarding and caring for the aged.

 Lamenting on the neglect of the rural areas, Oba Abolarin urges the educated elite to always remember the people at the rural area “ our educated elite should not abandoned their people at the  rural  towns they shouldn’t allow them to be rotten away with their potentials  and talent we have a lot of potentials in the  rural area they need to be developed”.

 

AYIKUNUGBA WATERFALL; ANOTHER WONDER OF GOD IN OKE ILA OSUN STATE

AYIKUNUGBA WATERFALL; ANOTHER WONDER OF GOD IN OKE ILA OSUN STATE

70 feet from the top with a cave that can accommodate  20 people.

The hilly town of Oke Ila was located in the  Savanna rain  forest in Ifedayo Local government area of Osun state, the  small town  apart from being endowed with the good climate is also  endowed with a fertile land that is good  for Agricultural practices, especially planting of both arable and cash crop. Therefore most of the resident of the town are farmers.

 About four kilometres away from the centre of the town was a natural waterfall called Ayikunungba, about seventy feet from the   base level, the source of the fall is at the top of the rock which spread round the area, also at the base by the right side is a cafe which we learnt has about seven room that can accommodate three people each.

  Before one can get to the bas of the  fall,  one  need to ascend  about 260 staircase  and  do the same  while climbing up, the staircase was  erected  by the community to make the movement up and down  more easier, despite the  staircase  only  determined mine can  be able to  go  down and come up  without much stress but for lazy people  the movement may be difficult as  i  and some of my colleagues panted severally before we climb the case to the upper base where we packed  our car

 Ayikunungba is a site to behold, its type is rare in this part of the world, it is a wealth that is still waiting for exploration, if properly maintained and explore it will not only be a source of wealth to the  state and local government it will also attract foreigners and tourists from all part of the world to Oke Ila where  an erudite scholar and first class monarch Oba Dokun Abolarin  is reigning as a  king.

 Narrating how Ayikunungba  fall was discovered,  the Eesade  of Oke Ila  Chief Dele         said the   site was discovered by a  hunters  long ago and ever since they’ve been trying to call the attention of government to it, According to him, “ even though it was  an accidental discovery but we’ve  been trying to call the attention of appropriate authority  to it and that present Orangun of Oke Ila Oba Dokun Abolarin  has assured us of government  intervention in developing this site”.

 He added further that , “ if you  look at the site very well, you will see that it is natural,  the fall has its source at the top of the mountain  and  beneath  it is a cafe where we were told has  about seven rooms. Those are what thrills tourists and i must tell you that we are not having it right yet.

Complementing   Esaade’s  point is another  traditional chief of the town, chief Abatan  who is also the secretary of  Ifedayo Local government   said that the  community has since the discovery  working to ensure that the place is developed  and  that  the council  through the  supervisory councillor of culture and tourism is looking at what they can do to   develop the  site in  collaboration with the state government.

 Oba  Abolarin is a chat with guild tourism  journalists   during the year 2012  isiro festival at his palace  said  that he  has been making a frantic  effort to   ensure proper utilisation of  the  fall  for economic drive of the   town and the state at large. He also disclosed that the Governor of Osun state Engineer Rauf Aregbesola has  promised to   transform  the place  to a world  tourist  site.

 Some of the  people in the community who spoke with  FEEDBACK  MEDIA  reporter   lauded the effort of  Oba Dokun Abolarin   and  his chiefs  and other people who have been  making  effort to  develop  the place  and urged the  state government and the appropriate authority  to  quicken actions on the site.