Mare Festival celebrates amity between hills and people

Idanre community came alive at the weekend as the 2014 edition of Mare Festival; a tourism celebration built around the major hills in Idanre thrilled the residents and tourists. OREDOLA ADEOLA, who witnessed the 3-day non-stop sporting and cultural fiesta, reports

The attention given by the Ondo State government to the development of the various tourism potentials  in the state, after the level of success recorded in infrastructure, health, education and agriculture has been appreciated not only by the citizens of the state but also participants at the just concluded MARE FESTIVAL. The state through the efforts of the governor has been able to open up the tourism sector for investment; particularly the upgrading of the status of the Idanre hill, which participants at the festival said would guarantee good returns on investments.  

The tapestry of the hills and its topography have made the ancient town to wear an Eden like looks, the Idanre hills , with a height of about 300-feet, shows the awesome wonders of nature. The majestic outlay of the magical mountains shaped like a pyramid, gives credence to the claim by the indigenes that there was once a conference of hills that have refused go. The magical mountains are claimed to possess the power which they use to protect the entire Idanre kingdom from insurgents and war.  

MARE Festival, since inception in 2009, has not only proven to be a major tourism celebration in the country, but has further complimented the state’s bid for the endorsement as world heritage site by United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The festival which was instituted by the Governor Olusegun Mimiko, as MARE, which is interpreted as “Don’t fall”, is an annual international mountain-climbing celebration, drawing enthusiasts from within and outside the country to the state.

 The 3-day activities-packed event is a multi-purpose festival. It has grown to become a much anticipated festival because of its marathon race, arts exhibition and cultural display as well as the mountain climbing event. However for the first time other sports including Badminton, cycling, Table Tennis and skirting were introduced to boost its outlook. All of the various sporting activities produced winners who were rewarded with cash prizes and laurels.

The climax of the various sporting activities is the much trumpeted MARE Mountain climbing which was won by young athletes. While for the first time the event was held at feet of the Olofin Mountain, a major mountain, where the Iroko Mountain Resorts, that has three tree houses called Ile Ori-Igi and Ile Oriota out of the 24 proposed resorts.

The event took off on Thursday December 11, 2014 with tennis, badminton competition and wrestling, followed with cultural and command performances at the Idanre hills resort. On Friday 12, December, the Idanre Hills Resorts was officially launched and it ended on Saturday, December 13, 2014, with cycling ,HIking and Marathon, Float display and Musical performance with a star performance by sensational hip star, Jaywon who thrilled the crowd at the grand finale with his songs.  

At the launching of the resort, the special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo state on tourism, Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, disclosed that the conceptualization and developmental of the hill resorts, has uplifted the economic status of the Idanre community. He noted that the festival since inception has attracted international tourists to the ancient town because of its beauty and richness in culture. He said that the festival has opened up investment opportunities into the town. He charged participants at the event that the various edifices being enjoyed today are built by yesterday people. He however advised that present generation to begin to build structures that will serve the needs of the tomorrow’s people.

According to Mrs Sally Mbanefo, Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Ondo State is the favourite state for tourism. She said “as a result of the level of development in the state’s tourism sector, I have continued to promote the various tourism potentials to the global community.   Ondo state people are great in hospitality, each time I visit the state, there is always something beautiful that makes me feel at home. As an advocate of domestic tourism, the changes in the state and particularly Idanre hill since the last time I visited it is so dramatic. Ondo state is today the shining light in the Medical Tourism in the country. I commend the level of work carried out at the Idanre resort which has employed more than two hundred workers.”

Mbanefo in her speech said "Ondo state is a major tourism destination because of the large deposit of tourism potentials. The government has worked so hard to improve the status of the state economically.  
 Within my short stay in the office as the Director General of the NTDC, I have tour more than 20 states and participated in many festivals but south West particularly Ondo state is the best, the development of tourism particularly the resort is an awesome and amazing experience which will be fascinating. ThE resort is another testimony of the transformational work of the state governor and his team”

While pledging her continuous support for the festival, the DG, who also joined the traditional dancers to dance to the local beat during one of the performances at the opening ceremony of Idanre Resorts, promised to always partner with the state government in the marketing of the festival to international tourists. According to her, Overland airline has indicated interest to commence commercial flight from Akure- Abuja and Lagos in order to facilitate the movement of tourists and fun seekers to various tourism destinations in the state.

 The Commissioner of Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, at the festival revealed that the inauguration of the Resorts has brought fascinating dimensions into the celebration. He added that 2014 edition of the festival was a watershed in the history of Idanre and Ondo state. He noted that through the festival the economic activities of the community have received extraordinary boost, as hotels and businesses in the community have recorded huge patronage compared to the previous edition.

 Iya Elizabeth, who owns a cafeteria, where she sell local foods including native delicacies called, Pupuru and pounded yam, revealed that the festival has positively impacted her business. She revealed that in during the festival she made about 500 percent increase compared with other days. Patronage has improved and I wish the festival is extended. At a popular restaurant Alhaja’s Bar, the manager, Mrs Ibukun, revealed that she has recorded huge patronage, since the kick off if the festival. Also at the transport operators and hotels in the community also had huge patronage thereby leading to scarcity.

The festival also created a platform for budding talents in the entertainment industry as over 200, young talents were discovered during the auditioning and the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor Of Ondo State, Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, said the government will initiate the exchange programme with some countries so as to fast tract the full development of those talents into a full potentials who will also contribute to the shining glory of Ondo State.

Participants at the festival revealed that the festival has improved as the various mountains that had been develop into a world class masterpiece with works of arts. The resort has a functioning bar open stage, swimming pool, indoor game centre and a wooden house showing the creative prowess of tourism impresario, Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, Director, who innovated the various architectural works at the sites.

In his address, the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko informed participants at the festival ' this is a realization of our dream to make Ondo state a leading tourism destination in Nigeria. I have no doubt that with the collective efforts of various stakeholders who are working round the clock to upgrade the status of the tourism masterpiece located in Idanre town, Ondo state is on the path to being a major tourist destination in Africa.

Mimiko said " The next Mare festival will be bigger and cultural events of global reckoning, he however commend the people of Idanre and their traditional rulers for their support in making the building of the resort to come into fruition and assured the participant that the coming year will be better as there will be new dimension and introduction of other things into the festival, the next edition of the festival will feature the host of the Atosin golf competition.  

At the event the governor joined by his wife, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko, received award as the Brand Domestic Tourism award of the year 2014, from the Guild of the Tourism Journalists Association of Nigeria led by Comrade Wale Ojo lanre . in his acceptance speech he promised to continue to work hard  to promote domestic tourism in the country having realized  tourism as a veritable tool needed to promote economy of the state .

President of the  GTJ in an interactive session with Journalists shortly after the presentation of the award said, the recognition is buoyed by the consistency of the governor in the celebration of Mare Festival and other cultural events in the state, " Mare is becoming a festival that will soon be drawing participants from all over the world because of the consistency and the introduction of new innovations into the programme" .

Mr Governor's effort in creating a tourism hub in ondo state is acknowledge and we use this award to appreciate him and encourage him not to relent in his bid in the state and we want other governor to emulate him. 

About forty artistes display their dexterity in dance and music as the as the memories of the musical legend like Hubert Ogunde, Orlando Owo, and others were brought to memories through some folks who sand exactly like them, Olo onibata, Aanu Ekwe ,  Jay one and other artists thrilled the audience with their music while  traditional dancer and musician also display their talents. The music of Rotimi Idanre and Skiddo got the governor standing up dancing to the melodius tunes .  it also witnessed the presence of Nollywood actors from the state.

Prizes were given to winners of the sporting completions and local games during the events as Akinbolade prince and Ayodeji Folashade emerges winners in the mountain climbing events, Akin Bimbola and Oluwafemi Dele won the Warin( Fast Walk ), while Engineer Gboye Adegbenro, Constate Asasia, Tunji ojuolape and Folashade oni also won the gold tournaments at the smoking hills gold course Ilara Mokin . Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, the special adviser to the governor was also presented.

Tourism stakeholders who witnessed the event however urged the state government to actively engage the community in the organization of the MARE festival, they advocated for the inclusion of the various community groups in the selection of the festival committee. They also charged the organizer to develop crowd control mechanism to cater for the massive turn out of participant to make the festival safe for tourists. Analysts also charged the government and the community to offer incentives to investors to develop first class hotels within the community to cater to the huge demand as all the hotels available in the town and the state capital Akure, were completely booked up.          

Olo Bata performs at MARE FESTIVAL 2014

Amazing Grace Dancers performs at MARE FESTIVAL

View of the Ile Ori Igi, a bedroom self-contain at Idanre Hills Resort

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Lagos Black Heritage Festival offers medley of carnivals and artistic performances

Lagos state again witnessed spectacular display of cultural heritage, magnificent costumes, drama and dances as the annual Lagos Black Heritage Festival ignited the excitement of the Easter holiday. The festival showcases the beautiful tourism potentials of the state as the choicest place to be during festive season. OREDOLA ADEOLA who witnessed the event writes.

It was indeed a week of complete razzmatazz and showcase of richness of Africa culture, as Lagosians were held to a non-stop eight- day Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF). The festival kicked off with the Vision of the Child's exhibition which featured paintings from 9 - 11 year-olds young Nigerians selected from about 30 schools, who expressed themselves through the amazing works of art, to register awareness to the spate of corruption in the country. The festival also featured display of the richness of Africa culture in various exhibitions and performances. With dazzling display of colourful tourism potential of the state during the festival, Lagos state has not only proven its mettle as the commercial capital of Nigeria, but has also used the festival as a platform to prove its leadership in the development of the country's tourism potential.

Other daily activities featured during the festival also include: art exhibition, live musical performances by Footprint of David, Femi Coker and Agare, Command performances of Obakoso by the Duro Ladipo Company, Olodumare by Wole Alade, Kola  Ogunmola's LankeOmu – The Palmwine  drinkards  adapted by Tunde Kelani  from the Amos Tutuola's novel, and Tunde  Awosanmi followed by Badagry Day, Carnival Queen Pageant, all held in different centres including Freedom Park, Civic Centre with a Boat regatta at Lagos Lagoon along Ozunba  Mbadiwe. The festival came to a climax on Easter Monday with the grand finale- Lagos Street Carnival at Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos.

The unimaginable relief the festival particularly Lagos Carnivals offer to tourists who witnessed the whole activities was beyond measure, as it provided thousands (Young and Old) revelers who “freed up” themselves to participate in the floats and fetes a physical and spiritual healings. Indeed participating in the carnival has saved the participants millions of Naira that could have been incurred in medical bills, if there were no carnival. The 9 km according to Mr. Richard Bickerstheth, the coordinator of Ifako-Ijaye Carnival group, is a major walk-out that keeps participants fit all year-round.

LBHF 2014 took a break from the Black in the Mediterranean Blue series and ordinary geographical position to a more disciplined and focused outlook with its theme: The Music Makers. According to the Carnival Committee, ''there is so much significant progress being witnessed in the musical field, but domination of the Euro-American pop forms has almost stifled the exploration of indigenous musical. Hence LBHF yielded front stage this year to music, we know music plays a dominant role in social life, and that is why the festival played tributes to African music pioneers including Steve Rhodes and other contemporary composers spanning decades oversees but not known to locals''. The festival would also open the eyes of aspiring musicians to the vastly unexplored possibilities of musical forms right in their own backyards as option to the largely imitative trends currently pursued by new generation of musicians.

Freedom Park, Broad Street, the venue of most of the carnival programme was a beehive of activities as fun- seekers were treated to all forms of legendary performances that went on simultaneously at all the events arena including the Exhibition of the “Vision of the Child” opened to visitors at the Kongi's Harvest Art Gallery till the last day of the festival.

Prior to the kickoff of the festival, some of the beautiful parks in Lagos state, including Oshodi Park, Falomo Roundabout, Ojodu Park and other major gardens and parks, billboards, buses, and all forms of giant figures dancing on water are tastefully decorated statue of the Carnival Queen, peacocks and other beautiful carnival images, signaling the preparedness of the state for yet another eventful carnival.

CARNIVAL QUEEN

As part of the programme scheduled for the festival, the Lagos Carnival Queen (Agbeke Eko) was hosted at the Freedom Park on Saturday April 19. The beauty competition offered beautiful girls in the state the opportunity to showcase their intellect, poise and talent to win a coveted grand prize of N2,500,000(Winner) with a brand new car, N1,500000(Second) and N1000000(third). 

In a keenly contested competition held between 10 contestants selected from the various carnival groups in the state, Ms Badmus Ajoke emerged as the winner of 2014 Agbeke Eko, while Adeyemi Kehinde and Oluwatosin Adeyemi emerged as the first and second runners up respectively. Maltina, the official malt drink for the festival, also sponsored the Queen to a holiday at Obudu Cattle ranch with all-expense paid trip.

While the pageant, anchored by Yemi Shodinmu had performances from the Eyo Group, with an electrifying performance by burgeoning songress, Yemi Alade.

BOAT REGATTA

Also, on Easter Sunday, thousands of fun seekers defiled the threat of rain to enjoy the annual Lagos Boat Regatta at the Lagos Lagoon, along Ozunba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island Lagos. While the rain the interrupt the proceedings some fans of the game stayed behind to catch a glimpse of the competition. 

The Regatta sponsored by Skye Bank Plc. had contestants from twenty (20) different water communities in Nigeria. The competition was filled with fun and excitement as the competition attracted large crowd while competitors displayed their skills and dexterity in boat handling under high speed despite the pressure of the rain.

According to representative of Sky Bank Plc, Dayo Aladeijebi, “The annual boat competition brings to live the rich cultural heritage of Nigerian. The partnership between the Lagos State government and Sky Bank is meant to promote the tourism potential of the state. It is important to note that tourism is a veritable element of growth globally hence the need to develop and reduce the continued dependent on revenue generated from crude oil.''

LAGOS CARNIVAL

Rapping up the week-long festival, on Easter Monday was the 5th edition of the Lagos Carnival held at the over 50,000 capacity sized Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos. However, the old parade ground was a beehive of activities during the carnival as varieties of colours were on display; entire atmosphere was charged with thousands of tourists who all thronged into TBS to catch a glimpse of the annual carnival. The state government offered free BRT buses to move participants to the venue of the carnival.

Earlier, the various carnival groups had procession 

The carnival also had Lagosians in carnival mood, displaying jaw dropping moves, creativity, arrays of colours. The parade of different sketches, designs, make-up, colours and costume of the contestant gives the event a glamorous lift. The tight security around the carnival routes and the venue was top-notched as all the security agents including Anti-terrorist Military and the Mobile Police force monitored activities of participants.

The carnival tagged “Lasgidi” had about 12000 participants from various carnival groups in the states including the traditional Fanti groups of Campos Lafiaji, Epetedo and Oko Faji,Ikoyi Legacy while other groups are selected from the six educational districts in Lagos including Ikeja, Ketu, Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, IkoroduOgba, Isolo, Surulere, Odi-Olowo, Mushin, Ilasamaja, Oworonshoki Awoyaya, Addo Langbasa, Epe and Badagry featured in the street parade through different routes from  Bourdillon Road, Giwa Barracks, Falomo Roundabout, Awolowo Road, King George V Road,  Igbosere Road,  Campos Square, Catholic Mission Street to Tafawa Balewa Square in a road show which was characterized by beautiful leg works and acrobatic display.

Tourists and fun seekers who all came out to celebrate the carnival applauded the train of colourful costumes that graced the road show. Some foreigners were also seen with cameras to take pictures of carnival train and other creative and stylish displays that accompanied the event.

In his address to the participants, The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, urged Lagosians to embrace peaceful co-existence, while also being sensitive to security vigilant. He added that the continuity of Lagos Carnival is hinged on political stability in the state.

He however congratulated Lagosians on the celebration of Easter, while urged for resilient as a way to overcoming various challenges as the Easter depict sacrifice and triumph.

“Lagos  Carnival represents the real spirit of Lagos which is a spirit of prosperity after prosperity, because Lagosians have gained immensely from the sales of materials including fabrics, feathers and sequins used for designing the costumes, purchased in the fabric market in the state” Fashola said.

He added that the carnival over the year has become a veritable investment offering both the state government and the citizens the opportunity to gain economically from the tourism potentials, as all the various costumes worn by the carnival groups were produced in the state at the Skills Acquisition Centres at Igando.

The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Edem Duke, who was also a guest at the carnival, Lagos Carnival shares a lot of similarities with the Calabar Carnival with the display of costumes. He added that Lagos carnival has a lot of big audience with so much potential even at the fifth edition. 

Duke said “In an attempt not to criticize the effort of the organizers, efforts must be ensured to reduce the  display of Caribbean culture. The organizing committee needs to enhance the local content in the design of all the costumes. I want to see display of undiluted culture from the Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu contigents. The designers of our carnival costumes must be allowed to go for refreshers and be certified in courses at tourism institutes where they could be trained on how to make inclusion of local content in their designs.”

He added that Lagos Carnival has emerged with capacity to equal the success of Calabar Carnival as a major carnival on the African continent, especially if greater attention is given to re-appraising the whole organizational concept in terms of Media, marketing, contingents and other value-chains. Adding that carnivals and festivals are periods that unite young ones in the country despite background. He urged that beyond the entertainment, stakeholders needs to development of the concept to add value to participants.

The carnival was electrified with musical performance by the sensational hip-hop artistes, Oritsa Femi, who ignited the party mood with the performance of his popular hit song “Double wahala” and “Blessing of the Lord” that got the enthusiastic crowd on their feet. 

Dignitaries at the carnival includes, the Carnival Queen, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, the first lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, Lagos State deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs Florence Oguntuashe, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Mr Abimbola Shodipo, and former Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele including members of the Local Organising Committee.

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Ebonylife Tv Launch: Mo’ Abudu drags Steve Forbes to Lagos

       One of Nigeria’s leading television talk-show hostesses and producer, Mosunmola Abudu, popularly known as Mo Abudu, and creator of ‘Moments With Mo’, formally launched her long-awaited cable TV channel that is out to be aired across Africa last Sunday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

   The channel, EbonyLife TV, Channel 165, according to her, will serve as Africa’s first global black entertainment network, and will broadcast all of its programming to over 46 African countries via the DSTV platform.  Globally, as it is also empowered, it will reach out through key TV Channels in the UK, the United States, Brazil, Canada and other parts of Europe. It is strategically located at Tinapa, Cross-Rivers state, and established with hi-definition equipment in a bid to revamp the digital television culture across the world, particularly in Africa.

   The event which attracted the high and mighty from different parts of the world, also witnessed the presence of the Chairman and Editor-in-chief of Forbes Magazine, Steve Forbes, Mr Labaran Maku, Minister for Information, Dr. Segun Aganga, Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Culture and Tourism; Chief Edwin Duke, Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke and notable Nollywood and music artistes including Evang. Ebenezer Obey, Dr. Victor Olaiya  Tuface Idiabia , Joke Silva and a host of others.

    Visibly delighted by the turn out of the invitees, Mo Abudu was full of thanks for everyone and confessed that the ambition to embark on the project spans over ten years. Ebonylife TV, she added, “is God-inspired in view of the content and high definition equipment put in place to sell Nigeria to the outside world,” she concluded.

    Guests at the venue were thrilled with duet renditions by the combination of old and new musicians in the house including, Evang Ebenezer Obey and MI (Babe Mi Jowo), Onyeka Owenu and Omawumi (Ekwe), Dr. Victor Olaiya and Tuface, Banky W, Tiwa Salvage and Sunny Ade (If You Love Me)               

  The highpoint of the event was the award session where the new channel honoured top players in the local industry like Onyeka Owenu, Sir (Dr) Victor Olaiya, Chief Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade,  Tuface Idibia, for their contributions to entertainment industry. A Special Award was also given to President Goodluck Jonathan for his administration’s support to the Nigerian media and entertainment Industry, just like foremost designer Deola Sagoe, was also honoured for her contribution to fashion industry.    

 Steve Forbes summed the occasion up by commending Mo’Abudu for her efforts to launch a world-class television station. “This gesture is an indication that Africa is ready to launch itself to the world. Mo’Abudu is the first woman to establish a Pan-African television station and we are going to give every support she needs to succeed.”

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