Following a devastating floods that wrecked havoc in Kisumu and Kenya at large, the Steering Committee of the FESTAC Africa festival has postponed the festival from May to August/September.
This was made known in a press release made available by the Co-Convener of the event, Ms. Grace Mumo recently.
The release reads:
Dear Esteemed FESTAC AFRICA Partner,
In view of the ongoing relentless downpours wreaking havoc across Kenya, particularly impacting Kisumu County, the FESTAC AFRICA Festival organizing committee has made a collective decision in partnership with Kisumu Country, driven by humanitarian concerns, to stand in solidarity with the affected communities.
In a profound demonstration of compassion and solidarity and considering the aggravated weather conditions and the urgent need for support to the flood victims, the organizing committee in consultation with together with the Kisumu County Leadership has reached a consensus to postpone the FESTAC AFRICA Festival. The festival will now take place from August 25th to September 1st, 2024.
Our heart goes out to all the incredible partners, delegates, talented artists, sports and athletes.
The previous editions of FESTAC Africa took place in Zanzibar and Arusha -Tanzania respectively with huge success. The 3rd edition in Kisumu promises to be another milestone in the process of making an impact on the econonic development of Africa .
In a vibrant celebration of African culture and heritage, the iconic La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Lagos hosted Africa Celebrates 2024 Regional Event for West Africa recently.
Spearheaded by Dr. Wanle Akinbobye, President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, the event was a testament to the richness and diversity of the sub- Saharan Africa.
In his capativating goodwill message, Dr. Akinbobye emphasized the importance for the current generation to leave behind a formidable platform for the coming generation, rather wealth that is transient. His words echoed a sentiment of preserving and promoting African traditions and values for future generations to cherish and build upon.
This call to action resonated deeply with attendees, inspiring a sense of responsibility towards safeguarding Africa’s cultural heritage.
He also analysed what Africa as a continent could achieve if the business of tourism is giving an adequate attention, comparing that with what Japan a tiny country is currently benefiting from tourism in trillions of dollars.
Mr. Lexy Mojo Eyes, the Convener of Africa Celebrates in Addis Ababa commended Dr. Akinbobye for his dedication and vision in orchestrating such a remarkable event within a short period of time.
Recognizing the efforts of everyone involved, Mr. Eyes expressed gratitude to both the organizer and attendees for contributing to the success of Africa Celebrates 2024 Regional Event, inviting them to join the rest of the world in Addis Ababa for the main show, describing the Lagos event and other regional ones as the “countdown” to Addis Ababa.
Dr. Wanle Akinbobye Making his goodwill message encouraging Africans to brace up at Africa Celebrates Regional Event inLagos
The event was a spectacular showcase of African talent and creativity where various performances captivated the audience, ranging from traditional music and dance to contemporary art forms.
Dignitaries from across the world including Her Royal Majesty, Queen Aruk ll, Obonganwan Marie Ikpeme Erete from Calabar, graced the occasion, adding prestige and cultural significance to the gathering.
Mr. Lexy Mojo Eyes speaking at the event in Lagos. Apprecting and inviting the audience to the main event in Addis Ababa come October
One of the highlights of the event was the vibrant display of African fashion with designers such as Modela, presenting their latest collections inspired by the continent’s diverse cultures.
This fusion of tradition and modernity underscored Africa’s evolving identity on the global stage, reaffirming its status as a hub of creativity and innovation.
Throughout the festivities, attendees had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Africa, from culinary delights showcasing West Africa’s rich gastronomic heritage to energetic and engaging performances, exploring traditional engagaments and capturing captivating outfits.
Africa Celebrates 2024 roadshow offered a multifaceted experience that celebrated the continent in all its glory.
Other speakers like Anteneh Tadesse Woldesenbet, Executive, Mayalz Events, Ethiopia, the main partner of Africa Celebrates in Addis Ababa also expressed his delight to the organiser and seized the opportunity to inform the gathering to expect the best of event in Addis Ababa, come October.
The charming fashion display by Modela at the event in Lagos
As the event came to a close, there was a sense of unity and pride among participants, reflecting the shared bonds that unite Africa’s diverse peoples. The event not only served as a platform for showcasing the continent’s cultural richness but also fostered connections and collaborations that will continue to strengthen Africa’s cultural landscape in the years to come.
In essence, the gathering was a celebration of Africa’s past, present, and future, through Mr. Dr. Akinbobye and Mr.Eyes’s vision and the collective efforts of all involved, the event left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of attendees, serving as a testament to the enduring spirit of Africa and its people.
The Management of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), organisers of the annual NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival, confirms the participation of some diplomatic missions in Nigeria. This was made known in a press release by Joesef Karim, the Public Relations Officer of the organisation recently.
The Missions will be showcasing their countries’ foods and beverages at the food festival on Friday, 31st of May, this year, in Abuja. The countries include; Spain, China, Senegal, Congo DR, Trinidad and Tobago.
NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival is a masterpiece of gastronomy tourism that attracts over 5000 visitors and tourists. The theme for this year’s festival is “Sustainable Food Production from Farm to Table.” Participation in this leading food festival is free of charge to organisations, food exhibitors, tourists, and visitors.
Moreover, NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival is organised, every year since 2021, to bridge the gap in the dearth of skilled gastronomy and culinary personnel in the sectors in Nigeria. The festival provides one of the best opportunities for hospitality and tourism personnel, stakeholders, students, and enthusiasts to have hands-on learning and experiences on the sustainability of gastronomy tourism in Nigeria.
Typical of the Gastronomy Festivals, there will be exhibition of Nigerian foods and beverages, from the country’s six-geographic zones by NIHOTOUR, exhibition of international cuisines by foreign missions in Nigeria, and exhibition of signature foods by leading chefs and restaurant franchises in Nigeria. Other activity in the arena of the foods exhibitions, is live cake making competition by culinary schools in Abuja.
Additionally, as part of the NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival programmes and activities this year, the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria, in partnership with NIHOTOUR will host a Masterclass for culinary schools and Chefs in Lagos, on 26th of May and in Abuja on the 29th of May.
Chef Alex Marugan, the celebrated chef from Madrid Spain, and his team will be teaching the class. This will be Chef Alex Marugan’s second masterclass in Nigeria, courtesy of the Spanish Embassy. His first was at last year’s Gastronomy Festival in Abuja.
NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival will be rounded-off in the evening with live musical performances by leading artists in the country at a Gala & Award Night where NIHOTOUR will induct new Fellows of the Institute (FHTI) for their outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the Hospitality and Tourism sectors in Nigeria.
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is established by Act of Parliament with the mandates to train, certify and register personnel working in Nigeria’s hospitality, travel and tourism sectors. More so, NIHOTOUR is the coordinator of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN).
In the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, where the host was initally awarded to Nigeria, the concept of a railway connecting the entire ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) region was first proposed by Mr. Segun Odegbami, a former Nigerian International footballer.
His vision stemmed from the idea of utilizing the infrastructure to host matches in multiple venues across the sub-region, leveraging the international event to spur development and connectivity within the ECOWAS region. However, despite the initial enthusiasm, the project failed to materialize, due to the fact that Nigerian government eventually gave South Africa the hosting right, depriving Nigeria such a great opportunity to host the world cup through which the sub-region would have benefitted greatly.
Fast forward to today, the emergence of Railbus initiative presents a renewed opportunity to realize Odegbami’s vision. Railbus, a hybrid of railway and bus transportation systems, it offers a flexible and cost-effective solution to the challenges facing African commuters. With its ability to navigate diverse terrains and connect remote communities, the Railbus holds immense potential for enhancing regional connectivity and fostering holistic development.
In my own personal capacity as a travel journalist, l have been to many Africans countries, still counting, it would have been more interesting and seamless if l do this with a modern rail system like Railbus.
I had a terrible experience transversing from Conakry to Cote D’Ivoire border, covering more than 2000 kilometres. My initial thought was to just walk over it, but alas l almost regretted my action. With a Railbus in such a place, the journey would have been seamless, time saving and memorable.
Currently, my movements are limited because of bad road network in some countries and also some difficulties attached to air travelling such as high cost and bad weather among other huge challenges.
I have the great feeling that if we as a people within the sub-region and the continent at large leverage on the existing infrastructure and adopt the modern transportation needs, the Railbus initiative will effectively address the pressing issues of accessibility and mobility within the West African sub-region.
Furthermore, it can serve as a catalyst for economic growth, facilitating trade, tourism, and cultural exchange among member states of ECOWAS which has always been the top- most priority of the stakeholders.
Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts between governments, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations, the Railbus project can be realized, and through that the region can start to unlocking new opportunities for sustainable development and prosperity and by extensiin Africa.
I am optimistic that this initiative will for certain reduce travel time and costs which are of concern to me as a travel journalist and it will promote social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
The Railbus has the capacity to transform the transportation landscape and improve the quality of life for millions of people across the region and Africa if we can all engage our governments to demand for a modern system in order to solving our travel challenges.
As a matter of fact, l would want the Nigeria government to consider converting the ongoing Coastal Road project to Railbus initiative which would be more acceptable, cost effective and safe a whole lot of lands acquisition but would support both environmental and climatic positive agendas.
The youngest 54th African country, Republic of South Sudan through its Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, under the leadership of Hon. Rizik Zakaria Hassan, has invited African Tourism Board and Africa Celebrates in a collaborative move on the need to proffer possible best ways to marketing the country’s tourism sector.
The collaborative meeting took place recently in the newest African capital, Juba where the African Tourism Board was represented by Hon. Cuthbert Ncube while Mr. Lexy Mojo Eyes represented Africa Celebrates.
Part of the highlights of the meeting were the presentations from both organizations to the Ministry, which had in attendance the cluster Ministries.
Invariably, there were MoU signing between African Tourism Board and the Ministry as well as Africa Celebrates.
During the course of the engagement, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the country’s Vice President, H.E Taban Deng Gai at his office.
Expectedly, the delegation went on a tour of the National Park of South Sudan to have a feel of what tourism activities looks like in the enchanting destination of South Sudan.
It is expected that the meeting would usher in the urgent development in the tourism sector of the 54th destination of Africa.
The Ministry of Tourism, Zambia has received a whooping 100 million usd to boost its tourism sector .
Making the announcement recently in Luzaka, Hon.Rodney Sikumba, Minister of Tourism, Zambia made it known at a press briefing in Lusaka that Green, Resilient and Transformational Tourism Development Project( GREAT -TDP) will officially take off from January 2024.
The funding came from the World Bank after its Executive Board of Directors in June last year approved credit sum which aimed at supporting and boosting the nature based economy of Zambia in the Liuwa Plains National Park , which happens to be the source of the Zambezi River as well as Kasba Bay.
This fund would go a very long way at bolstering the economic and environmental opportunities in the emerging tourism space of Zambia.
At the press briefing was also the Country Director for of the World Bank for Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Mr. Nathan Belete who expressed his delight at the Zambian government and the ministry on the GREAT -TPD initiative.
Africa is a vast and diverse continent with a rich tapestry of cultures, landscapes, and wildlife. Here are ten destinations that offer unique and captivating experiences for tourists:
Cape Town, South Africa:
Table Mountain: A flat-topped mountain offering breathtaking views of the city and surrounding ocean.
Robben Island: Historic site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, now a museum.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront: A lively area with shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya:
Great Migration: Witness the annual migration of wildebeest and zebras.
Big Five Safaris: Exceptional opportunities to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Experience the reserve from above during sunrise.
Marrakech, Morocco:
Jemaa el-Fnaa: A vibrant square with street performers, markets, and food stalls.
Medina of Marrakech: A UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow winding streets and traditional souks.
Bahia Palace: A stunning palace showcasing Islamic and Moroccan architectural styles.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania:
Wildlife Migration: Witness the vast herds of wildebeest and zebras crossing the plains.
Balloon Safaris: Enjoy a unique perspective of the wildlife and landscapes.
Olduvai Gorge: An archaeological site providing insights into early human evolution.
Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe:
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park: Home to the breathtaking Victoria Falls.
Devil’s Pool: A natural infinity pool with a thrilling view over the edge of the falls.
Adventure Activities: White-water rafting, bungee jumping, and helicopter rides.
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt:
Great Pyramid of Khufu: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Sphinx: Iconic statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh.
Egyptian Museum: Home to an extensive collection of ancient artifacts.
Kruger National Park, South Africa:
Diverse Wildlife: Explore one of Africa’s largest game reserves with a variety of animals.
Cultural Villages: Learn about the traditions and customs of the Shangaan people.
Olifants River Backpack Trail: A unique walking safari for a more intimate wildlife experience.
Zanzibar, Tanzania:
Stone Town: UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow streets, markets, and historic architecture.
Prison Island: Explore the giant tortoise sanctuary and historical ruins.
Spice Tours: Discover the island’s rich history of spice production.
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt:
Great Pyramid of Khufu: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Sphinx: Iconic statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh.
Egyptian Museum: Home to an extensive collection of ancient artifacts.
Kruger National Park, South Africa:
Diverse Wildlife: Explore one of Africa’s largest game reserves with a variety of animals.
Cultural Villages: Learn about the traditions and customs of the Shangaan people.
Olifants River Backpack Trail: A unique walking safari for a more intimate wildlife experience.
Zanzibar, Tanzania:
Stone Town: UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow streets, markets, and historic architecture.
Prison Island: Explore the giant tortoise sanctuary and historical ruins.
Spice Tours: Discover the island’s rich history of spice production.
Namib Desert, Namibia:
Sossusvlei: Famous for its towering red sand dunes, especially Dune 45.
Deadvlei: Surreal white clay pan surrounded by ancient, dead trees.
Hot Air Balloon Rides: Experience the vastness of the desert from the air.
Cairo, Egypt:
Khan El Khalili Bazaar: A bustling market offering a variety of goods and traditional crafts.
Islamic Cairo: Explore historic mosques, palaces, and medieval streets.
Nile River Cruises: Take a leisurely cruise along the iconic Nile River, enjoying the views and historic landmarks.
These destinations represent just a fraction of the incredible diversity and beauty that Africa has to offer. Each location provides a unique blend of natural wonders, cultural richness, and historical significance, making it a continent worth exploring.
