Globacom Gets NTDC Recognition for Promoting Culture

Stories by Emma Okonji Globacom has been recognised by the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, for sponsoring the Oke’Badan Festival, which commenced this week in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a speech delivered on her behalf by a senior official of NTDC, Mr. Ody Anumba, at a seminar on the festival, Mbanefo commended Globacom for supporting Oke’Badan, noting that such support by corporate bodies will help to perpetuate the country’s rich cultures.

The Director-General said festivals help to advance tourism, adding that when companies support such festivals therefore, they are helping to advance tourism, which is viable revenue generating avenue for government.

“Tourism is a revenue generating sector of any economy. Apart from celebrating the traditions and cultures that bind us as a people, festivals also constitute a means of generating revenue for the growth of the economy of any nation,” Mbanefo said.

She pointed out that the Rio De Janeiro Carnival, for instance, attracts people from across the world including Brazil every year.

Also speaking at the seminar, the Awise of Yorubaland, Babaawo, Yemi Elebuibon, said any nation that neglected its cultural and religious roots had opened up themselves for ridicule and created room for debasement of their beginnings.

“Any people that do not know where they came from, can never make any significant advancement in life,” Elebuibon said.

He also commended Globacom for supporting Oke’Badan, praying for the company’s continued good fortune.

He also prayed for the peace of Ibadanland and other parts of Nigeria.

The Otun Olubadan, High Chief Eddie Oyewole Foko who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, said: ‘’Oke ‘Badan is a vehicle for the retelling of the Ibadan history which we are determined to pass on to our children the same way our fathers passed it down to us.”

He also lauded Globacom for not only associating with the festival, but also collaborating with the people of Ibadan to celebrate the festival.

Another speaker at the seminar, the Aboke of Ibadanland, Fasola Ifamapowa, who is the direct custodian of the festival, said Oke ‘Badan is celebrated in commemoration of the life and times of one of the forebears of Ibadanland, Lagelu. He said the festival also presents a forum to commemorate the noble roles of the early rulers of Ibadan including Labosinde, Maye, Oluyole, Oderinlo, Opeagbe, Oluyedun and Lakanle among others and their acts of bravery which culminated in the founding of Ibadanland.

Oke’Badan is a weeklong celebration, featuring Glo musical fiesta during which a popular local musician, Osupa Saheed will entertain revelers in an all night event. It will also feature a town parade, cultural ceremonies, and homage to the centenarian Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Odulana.