Osun Osogbo: Toast of corporate Nigeria
Unlike other festivals suffering from lack of corporate sponsorship,
the Osun Osogbo Festival continues to enjoy the patronage of some of
Nigeria’s big companies.
LIKE previous editions, this year’s festival taking place from August 19 to 23 is being supported by companies including MTN Nigeria, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Grand Oak Limited and Lagos Airport Hotel amongst others.
The companies affirmed their commitment to the celebration at the corporate forum and unveiling of the festival programme held at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Tuesday, July 16.
Speaking at the event attended by the Ataoja of Osogbo and festival custodian, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye 11 and his chiefs, MTN’s regional trade manager, south west, Olaleke Fakeye, assured that the company has no intention of pulling the plug on the relationship it started with the Osun Osogbo Festival in 2005.
She noted that having been certified by the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Osun Osogbo has entrenched itself on the world map and is no longer a Nigerian or African affair. “It is an international festival; a very big brand and MTN as the foremost and biggest telecommunications provider in Nigeria is also a big brand so we are always really proud to associate ourselves with Osun Osogbo. This is an active collaboration of two big giants,” Fakeye said.
She added that the company is proud to be associated with the festival and that it is increasing its involvement in activities of the cultural celebration. Apart from sponsoring the football competition and beauty pageant, Fakeye said MTN is also supporting the art competition to be held as part of the Suzanne Wenger sacred colloquium and exhibition. She disclosed that interested artists have the opportunity to showcase their works on MTN’s portal and that there is a reward for the artist with the best artwork.
Abiodun Ayodeji, category manager, Grand Oak Limited, makers of Seaman’s Schnapps and other spirits spoke in a similar manner. He noted that the festival and Seaman’s Schnapps, the most popular brand on the company’s stable, share some similarities. He said that while Osun Osogbo is Nigeria’s first festival to be certified by UNESCO, Seaman’s is the first schnapps in Nigeria and which continues to re-invent itself.
“This 2013 edition is special because it is the first time Seaman’s will be the exclusive sponsor in the spirit category,” Ayodeji said and thanked the Ataoja-in-council for finding the brand a worthy partner. He assured that Grand Oak has different brands that will appeal to the public and that they will all be brought to the festival.
Ayodeji added that apart from sponsoring the Ayo olopon competition, Grand Oak is bringing fuji music star, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma for the festival’s grand finale. He also disclosed that Seaman’s Premium, one of the company’s brand re-launched recently will be re-introduced to the public at this year’s Osun Osogbo. Ayodeji thereafter took a bottle of the spirit to the Ataoja to bless. Though he was fasting, the king gladly obliged.
Omotunde Adenubi, Brand Manager, Goldberg, produced by Nigeria Breweries Plc, described the 2013 Osun Osogbo as another exciting journey for the company as it will be able to connect with people. “We are celebrating what gives us joy; sharing the joy with everybody. We are, as usual, going to have the 21-day village activation with various artistes performing. This year’s edition is going to be unprecedented; by the time it ends, Osogbo and indeed the world will know that the sky is the starting point for the festival,” Adenubi added.
Controller, Human Resources, Lagos Airport Hotel, Lawrence Omidiora assured organisers of the hotel’s continuous support and highlighted its unique facilities. He also touched on the hotel’s history and called for patronage from the public.
The Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the Osun State governor, Ladi Soyode, also highlighted the positives of the festival and government’s efforts at sustaining it. He said that the festival was a “platform that will continue to promote and develop the tourism potentialities of Osun State. Recently, the government of Osun State invested time and money in the remodelling of the grove to solve the problem of crowd control as well as the expansion of the pavilion at the main arena to conveniently accommodate and give good visibility to guests.”
Soyode added that the state is introducing a novelty to the entertainment aspect of the festival to give tourists and visitors a memorable time. He disclosed that one of the features of the 2013 edition is the premiere of a movie, ‘Osunfunke’ produced by female talking drummer, Ara, to promote the rich culture, heritage and tourism potentials of the state.
The 2013 Osun Osogbo Festival will feature activities including the Iwopopo (traditional cleansing of the city), film show, lighting of the over 500-year-old 16-point lamp (olojumerindinlogun) and musical concert. There is also the Iboriade (Ataoja’s crown assemblage), Arugba’s berth and ANTP’s performance night. Included in the programme is the Susanne Wenger sacred colloquium and art exhibition; the Sisi Osun cultural pageant, HIV-AIDS promotional campaign and the festival grand finale procession to the Osun grove.
LIKE previous editions, this year’s festival taking place from August 19 to 23 is being supported by companies including MTN Nigeria, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Grand Oak Limited and Lagos Airport Hotel amongst others.
The companies affirmed their commitment to the celebration at the corporate forum and unveiling of the festival programme held at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Tuesday, July 16.
Speaking at the event attended by the Ataoja of Osogbo and festival custodian, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye 11 and his chiefs, MTN’s regional trade manager, south west, Olaleke Fakeye, assured that the company has no intention of pulling the plug on the relationship it started with the Osun Osogbo Festival in 2005.
She noted that having been certified by the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Osun Osogbo has entrenched itself on the world map and is no longer a Nigerian or African affair. “It is an international festival; a very big brand and MTN as the foremost and biggest telecommunications provider in Nigeria is also a big brand so we are always really proud to associate ourselves with Osun Osogbo. This is an active collaboration of two big giants,” Fakeye said.
She added that the company is proud to be associated with the festival and that it is increasing its involvement in activities of the cultural celebration. Apart from sponsoring the football competition and beauty pageant, Fakeye said MTN is also supporting the art competition to be held as part of the Suzanne Wenger sacred colloquium and exhibition. She disclosed that interested artists have the opportunity to showcase their works on MTN’s portal and that there is a reward for the artist with the best artwork.
Abiodun Ayodeji, category manager, Grand Oak Limited, makers of Seaman’s Schnapps and other spirits spoke in a similar manner. He noted that the festival and Seaman’s Schnapps, the most popular brand on the company’s stable, share some similarities. He said that while Osun Osogbo is Nigeria’s first festival to be certified by UNESCO, Seaman’s is the first schnapps in Nigeria and which continues to re-invent itself.
“This 2013 edition is special because it is the first time Seaman’s will be the exclusive sponsor in the spirit category,” Ayodeji said and thanked the Ataoja-in-council for finding the brand a worthy partner. He assured that Grand Oak has different brands that will appeal to the public and that they will all be brought to the festival.
Ayodeji added that apart from sponsoring the Ayo olopon competition, Grand Oak is bringing fuji music star, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma for the festival’s grand finale. He also disclosed that Seaman’s Premium, one of the company’s brand re-launched recently will be re-introduced to the public at this year’s Osun Osogbo. Ayodeji thereafter took a bottle of the spirit to the Ataoja to bless. Though he was fasting, the king gladly obliged.
Omotunde Adenubi, Brand Manager, Goldberg, produced by Nigeria Breweries Plc, described the 2013 Osun Osogbo as another exciting journey for the company as it will be able to connect with people. “We are celebrating what gives us joy; sharing the joy with everybody. We are, as usual, going to have the 21-day village activation with various artistes performing. This year’s edition is going to be unprecedented; by the time it ends, Osogbo and indeed the world will know that the sky is the starting point for the festival,” Adenubi added.
Controller, Human Resources, Lagos Airport Hotel, Lawrence Omidiora assured organisers of the hotel’s continuous support and highlighted its unique facilities. He also touched on the hotel’s history and called for patronage from the public.
The Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the Osun State governor, Ladi Soyode, also highlighted the positives of the festival and government’s efforts at sustaining it. He said that the festival was a “platform that will continue to promote and develop the tourism potentialities of Osun State. Recently, the government of Osun State invested time and money in the remodelling of the grove to solve the problem of crowd control as well as the expansion of the pavilion at the main arena to conveniently accommodate and give good visibility to guests.”
Soyode added that the state is introducing a novelty to the entertainment aspect of the festival to give tourists and visitors a memorable time. He disclosed that one of the features of the 2013 edition is the premiere of a movie, ‘Osunfunke’ produced by female talking drummer, Ara, to promote the rich culture, heritage and tourism potentials of the state.
The 2013 Osun Osogbo Festival will feature activities including the Iwopopo (traditional cleansing of the city), film show, lighting of the over 500-year-old 16-point lamp (olojumerindinlogun) and musical concert. There is also the Iboriade (Ataoja’s crown assemblage), Arugba’s berth and ANTP’s performance night. Included in the programme is the Susanne Wenger sacred colloquium and art exhibition; the Sisi Osun cultural pageant, HIV-AIDS promotional campaign and the festival grand finale procession to the Osun grove.
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