NTDA, Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom Collaborate on Gelede Festival

In a strategic move to invigorate Nigeria's tourism sector, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) is forging a vital partnership with the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom in Yaba. This collaboration, spearheaded by NTDA Director General Ola Awakan, signifies a concerted effort to harness the rich cultural tapestry of local communities for national tourism development.

Director General Awakan's recent courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeshina Adeniyi (Maforunyomi I), the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, was met with a vibrant display of the community's heritage, including a captivating procession by the revered Gelede Masquerades. The monarch's warm reception and expressed eagerness to partner underscore the kingdom's readiness to contribute to the nation's tourism goals.

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The monarch applauded the Awakan for his initiatives towards repositioning the country’s cultural heritage on a global stage.

This initiative emphasizes the power of effective storytelling in unlocking the value of cultural heritage. By documenting and sharing the narratives behind elements like the Gelede Masquerades and ancient iroko trees, the NTDA aims to enhance their appeal to both domestic and international tourists. The proposed inclusion of Igbobi-Sabe's assets in the NITOUREY Project, Africa's first tourism-focused streaming platform, further demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to global promotion, ensuring Nigeria's vibrant cultural offerings reach a worldwide audience.

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effective storytelling was essential to unlocking the value of cultural heritage, explaining that documenting and sharing the stories behind cultural elements such as the Gelede Masquerades and the ancient iroko trees would enhance their appeal to both local and international tourists.