Metro
Experts Call For Revamp of Cultural Heritage to Boost IGR, Tourism in Nigeria
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…As Igbore Youth Champions Cultural Heritage Projection, Celebrates Igbore Asa Youth Day
Experts have urged the government to revamp Nigeria’s cultural heritage as an alternative source of revenue to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through tourism and culture.
This call was made during the celebration of Igbore Asa Day 2025 in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
Speaking with newsmen at the event, Professor Adeyemi Ewetade, the Oluomo of Igbore land, emphasised that cultural heritage can generate significant revenue for the economy if properly enhanced and showcased globally.
He noted that Yoruba culture’s heritage is particularly attractive and should be developed to attract tourists.
Ewetade suggested that showcasing Nigeria’s cultural heritage outside the country would attract tourists, generating more income and boosting the economy.
He stressed that cultural heritage is a valuable resource that can contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.
“It is the source of revenue for the economy if well enhanced, cultural heritage, all these kinds of things if we can showcase it outside our shore they will visit, our culture is very attractive and awesome, it is part of money generating for the government, and they should develop it”.
“My message to the government now is that we should not rely solely on mineral resources. Tourism, culture, and other things could also enhance money for the country for the citizens and for every one of us. They must also ensure that our heritage never dies because when you go abroad, you will still see them promoting their heritage, so our heritage, too, mustn’t die”.
Corroborating, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Afolabi Soyode, the Baajipe of Igbore and Aree Oluomo of Egba also posited that cultural heritage is our symbol, which fosters unity, peace, and coexistence among the people of the same group.
He added that it must not be abandoned but, must be jointly developed by all sundry.
In his own address, the Jagunmolu Aje of Igbore and Egbaland Alhaji Shuaib Aro stated that Igbore Asa Youth Day is a socio-cultural project that brings all indigenes of Igbore together in other promote peace, unity, and harmonious relationships and outside the town.
He noted that the last Igbore Asa Youth Day was held in 2017, adding that henceforth it would become an annual event in the town.
He appealed that cultural heritage mustn’t be abandoned but revamped to meet up with international standards.
He said “Yes, it is a socio-cultural project that brings all of us together. If not for it, you wouldn’t see all of us like this now, there is no doubt with the fact that we are achieving our objectives because the primary objective is to foster unity, peace and harmonious relationships within us. We are going to be organising this annually because the last one we held was in 2017 and since then, we haven’t been able to meet these people that are here today, so thank God we are achieving the objectives”
“My message is that we shouldn’t abandon our culture. We are showcasing our rich cultural heritage. My appeal is that we shouldn’t abandon our cultural heritage for the Western world”.
In his remark, the Olu of Orile Igbore, Oba Joseph Adeogun Ogunbona Alawonla1, commended the effort of Igbore Youth for their steadfastness and commitment to promoting the cultural heritage of Igbore land.
In his welcome address, the Olori Odo of Igbore and the Chairman of the Igbore Asa Youth Association, Chief Lateef Atewolara, disclosed that Igbore Asa Youth Day is a socio-cultural festival for the mobilisation of Igbore Sons and Daughters home and abroad to promote m, unity, friendliness and harmonious relationship.
He posited that the focus is also to ensure that peace reigns in the Township and homestead to facilitate more developmental projects that allow the township to compete favourably within neighbouring townships on socio-cultural, infrastructure, political and economic advancement.
Atewolara appreciated the kind support from sons and daughters of Igbore including the members of 18 communities and CDAs in Igbore township.
Present at the event were notable sons and daughters of Igbore, including
His Royal Highness; Oba Joseph Adeogun Ogunbona, Alawonla 1, Olu of Orile Igbore, His Royal Highness; Oba Kassim Adebukola Taiwo, Sogbamu 1, Olu of Ajura-Igbore, His Royal Highness; Oba Lawrence Adisa Odeyinka, Gbolagunte1, Olu of Siun-Igbore, Chief Anthony Oliyide Oluwo Igbore, Chief Tajudeen Lemboye Balogun Igbore and Boroji of Egbaland, Chief Muraina Taiwo Jaguna of Igbore and Sakosi of Egbaland, Chief Shuaib Aro Jagunmolu Aje Igbore, Alhaji Shefiu Alao and others
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The traditional ruler of Imasayi, Oba Adeleke Kuoye, the Olu of Imasayi, has emphasised on the critical role of the private sector in driving socio-economic growth in both rural and urban communities, particularly in addressing unemployment.
The monarch made this known on Tuesday during the groundbreaking ceremony of Aspire Development Company in Imasayi, a company focused on industrial development and construction of a modern residential houses.
Aspire Development of 142 hecters of land sited in the heart of Imasayi, with close proximity 3 kilometres to the Dangote Cement Plant in Ibese.
In his welcome address, Oba Kuoye stated that the project would stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities for indigenes, and significantly reduce unemployment in the community.
He explained that his support for Aspire Development was based on its commitment to job creation and inclusivity, stressing that indigenes of Imasayi would be integrated into the company’s administrative structure.
“This is about tackling unemployment, and it is commendable that the company is committed to employing locals and developing the community. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which includes management positions for community members, is a significant step forward,”.
He also appealed to the youth of Imasayi to cooperate with the community leadership and Aspire Development to ensure the timely and successful execution of the project.
“I urge our youths to collaborate with the community and Aspire Development so that we can achieve these goals within the expected timeframe,”
Also speaking, the Alale of Ajilete, Oba Kazeem Amosu, told the residents to warmly embrace the company, noting that Yewa remains largely underdeveloped adding that the success of Aspire Development would attract more investors to the area.
The Chairman of the Baales also appealed to the company to prioritise the employment of Imasayi indigenes, rather than hiring outsiders who may not have a direct stake in the growth and development of the community.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Aspire Development, Mr. Tunji Lawson, said the decision to establish the company in Imasayi was driven by the town’s vast potential, abundant resources, and rich human capital.
He explained that Aspire Development operates a two-pronged model that combines industrial development, through manufacturing and processing with residential development aimed at addressing the housing deficit.
According to Lawson, the company’s approach is to strike a balance between business sustainability and community development, ensuring mutual benefits for both Aspire Development and its host community.
He hinted that collaboration among the private sector, government, and host communities is essential for sustainable development, describing such partnerships as a win-win arrangement.
“The synergy between the private sector and government is crucial. With strong collaboration from both local and federal governments, we can successfully implement these projects. Government support plays a huge role, just as private industries must also assess the impact of their investments,”
He added that Aspire Development is committed to creating jobs and building skills among residents in both the short and long term, enabling them to pursue careers in directly and indirectly related fields.
“There are significant synergies and opportunities for collaboration, and we are confident that this partnership will deliver positive and lasting impact on employment and economic development in Imasayi,” Lawson said.
Metro
Solebo @ 60: ROMO Boss Sotayo Celebrates Birthday in Grand Style, Declares Support For for Tinubu’s Re-election
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…Commends Abiodun’s Infrastructure Drive
The National President of the Motorcycle Riders and Owners Organisation (ROMO) and Ogun State Chairman of the association, Mr Rasaq Sotayo popularly known as (Solebo), has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, while commending Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his infrastructural development across the state, particularly the Gateway International Airport.
Sotayo said his support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition is also a way of appreciating Governor Abiodun for creating an enabling environment that allowed ROMO to emerge as a recognised union, a development he said has created job opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
He made this known on Sunday while speaking with journalists during his 60th birthday celebration held in the Sango-Ota area of Ogun State.
According to him, the formation of ROMO has empowered millions of Nigerians directly and indirectly, and he added that the organisation has contributed significantly to the economic growth of Ogun State.
Sotayo also highlighted the establishment of the Gateway International Airport, describing it as a landmark infrastructure that has further positioned Ogun State as an industrial hub and boosted business expansion in the state.
“The governor is doing a lot, and I am grateful not only to the present administration but also to past governments. ROMO’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid is our way of expressing gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun for enabling us to form ROMO.
“We have achieved a lot by contributing to Ogun State’s economy, building our own sector, and operating without owing the state government. The growth of ROMO is a major achievement that has benefited thousands of people across Ogun State,” he said.
Sotayo attributed the success of ROMO to Governor Abiodun’s leadership style, noting that the governor’s massive infrastructural development has created opportunities for businesses to thrive in the state.
“I appreciate our governor for meeting expectations. He has done so much, and we need to continue supporting him and the deputy governor. They are performing well,” he added.
He stressed that without the opportunity given by the Abiodun-led administration to establish ROMO as a recognised motorcycle riders’ organisation, the union would not exist today.
“If the governor had not allowed us to form ROMO, we wouldn’t be talking about its impact today. He has done a lot. ROMO also played its part in the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, just as we continue to support political appointments and representation,” Sotayo said.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, described Sotayo Solebo as a hardworking man of honour and integrity, commending his contributions to grassroots empowerment.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Hon. Tunji Akinosi, member representing Ota Federal Constituency; the Ogun State Commissioner for Transport, Engr. Olugbenga Dairo, Olota Of Ota, and other notable personalities.
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Lafarge Africa Plc, a building solutions company and manufacturer of premium products and solutions brands across cement, mortar and readymix concrete, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local cement production with the expansion of its Sagamu Cement Plant in Ogun State and Ashaka Cement Plant in Gombe State.
The two new plants will be dry plants with preheater kilns, vertical raw mills and roller presses for cement mills to make them energy efficient.
According to a notice sent to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and its investing public and signed by the company secretary, Adewunmi Alode, the expansion of the Ashakacem and Sagamu plants is expected to increase production capacity to 2m metric tonnes per annum and 3.5 million metric tonnes per annum respectively, upon completion. It is expected to improve product availability and enhance Lafarge Africa’s ability to serve customers efficiently across key markets.
This expansion is coming after the announcement made last year that Huaxin Building Materials Group’s had acquired 83.81% of Lafarge Africa Plc and demonstrates their commitment to Nigeria’s infrastructural development.
Speaking on the expansion, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, stated that the expansion projects reflect the company’s long-term confidence in Nigeria’s growth potential and are aimed at supporting Nigeria’s infrastructure and construction needs.
Alade-Akinyemi explained that the project goes beyond capacity growth to deliver operational and sustainability benefits but also supports value creation for our customers and shareholders while contributing to economic activity and job creation across our host communities and the wider construction ecosystem.
“The expansion of our plants is a strategic investment that reinforces Lafarge Africa’s role in supporting national development. By increasing capacity at our flagship plants, we are strengthening our supply chain, improving our responsiveness to market demand, and positioning the business to better support critical sectors such as housing, commercial construction, and infrastructure. It enables us to integrate modern production technologies that enhance efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance, in line with our commitment to responsible operations,” he said.
Lafarge Africa Plc remains focused on disciplined execution of its expansion plans and transparent engagement with stakeholders as it continues to invest in strengthening its operations across Nigeria.
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