Events
Exclusive: Destination Quidha Test Tour Leaves Tourists Yearning for More, Bodex Media Gushes
Morning after, which is the day two of the test tour, Benin Royal Hotel woke us up to sumptuous breakfast which translated from bread rolls to croissant, coffee and variety as you would have wished for. Our dishes kept filling up with food at very instance. One of us even said jokingly that the first he would do when he gets back to Nigeria is to check his weight as he suspects he must have added a few pounds. From the appetizer, to the main course itself, and even to the dessert, spelt for us the true royalty that we exude. We were treated to a mesmerizing buffet that left people going back for more to have their fill.
A quick survey revealed somewhat that apart from French as the major language of the Beninoise, another widely spoken language there is Egun, from Nigeria. Those that could communicate in the language and comprehend all what is being said feel like they are in charge.
Meanwhile, we came in company of Prince Adekunle Adeyemo, the Executive Assistant to the Ambassador of tourism in Africa and President of Motherland Beckons/ La Campagne Tropicana beach Resort, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, Otunba Niyi Babade of CNN Africa, Mr Wale Ojo of Tribune and the Most Beautiful girl in Nigeria, Tourism, Miss Winfrey Okolo.
After breakfast and all, we set out on our destination to Quidha. We left at about 11:55 am in a convoy up until we got to the place where pythons are worshipped ( Les Temples de pythons) at about 1:00pm. Though we didn’t stop there immediately, we made a down payment of 20,000Franc CFA for our visiting expenses.
We headed to the slave mausoleum where several slaves were buried on a daily basis. Some slaves were even buried alive because slave masters felt they couldn’t continue on the journey. Historical estimates run to about 40 million souls buried there. We paid our homage to the lost souls by observing a minute’s silence. The African Ambassador of Tourism, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye gave a heartfelt speech on the sufferings and pain the souls of the departed are languishing in.
While we were in motion with this, we were met and greeted by the representatives of the honorable minister of tourism, to appreciate our efforts and visit, in line with destination Quidah. A memorial bouquet of flowers was presented and lain by the Most Beautiful girl in Nigeria, Tourism, Miss Winfrey Okolo, on behalf of Nigeria in remembrance.
We proceeded on the journey to the point of no return, where slaves if taken to this point, were rest assured to never see their countries or families. This point served as a major exchange point and port for slave trade on the African continent. Destination Quidah opened the eyes of many to the culture and sounds of the people of Benin republic.
Meanwhile, as we left the slave mausoleum, little did we know we were going to have an encounter with strong believers and practitioners of voodooism (voodun) right on the same route. They were receptive and approachable and as well gave a little insight into what they do and how they do what they do.
In rounding off our tour for the day, we made a final stop at the temple of pythons. Most people from the stop earlier made were excited, a few apprehensive and others non-different. Here, the facilitator informed us that the pythons don’t bite, as they were royal pythons and that is what people in that locality worship. Ironically, the first Catholic Cathedral in West Africa is situated directly opposite this temple.
The snakes, we were told, are released once every month to go into the neighborhood to feed and be worshipped, after which they return to the temple on their own accord, whilst some are brought back by faithful worshippers. They feed on small livestock and rodents each time until their next release. Mind you, they are never killed!!
Things spiced up momentarily as we took turns to touch, carry and wear the live python as a muffler round our necks. Though some tourists were freaked out and barely had the nerve, it all boiled down to stepping up your fear game, just as the saying “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” Even Bodex herself, was scared to the bones as the sight of the snakes gave her the hives. She screamed and almost took to her heels when it was her turn to wear the snake as a muffler.
We weren’t alone on this journey as white men from different nationality were seen taking a tour of the different places we visited. It showed to us that if we as Africans do not appreciate the tourism elements we carry, foreigners from other continents actually do.
At 3:35pm we were back at the Benin Royal Hotel. The journey this time seemed shorter and a lot faster. This time, we resumed at the VIP restaurant for the humongous lunch awaiting us. Though it was a fun journey, we were pretty exhausted from the heat of the scotching sun. Resting a while, we set out again at 7:15pm for the high point event of the night.
There was a blend of Nigerian and Beninoise music with performance from Motherland’s very own Olo – omidan bata, Anu – the lady Ekwe, and many more with models and multi instrumentalists serenading all to pleasant sounds of jazz and pure African music.
The major highlight of the event this evening was by Nigeria’s very own Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru, popularly known as Reminisce, a.k.a Alaga Ibile. His performance was off the hook, with blaring hit songs to his title. He is a man of few words, but left fans bedazzled all night out.
See pictures:
Events
Moses Bliss holds traditional wedding in Ghana (Video)
Moses Bliss, the Nigerian gospel singer, and Marie Wiseborn, his wife, have held their traditional wedding in Ghana.
In now-viral videos, the couple performed their wedding rites before family members and friends.
The couple represented their different cultural backgrounds as they dressed in Ghanaian and Nigerian outfits during the ceremony.
The Wiseborn family also presented the couple with a plaque gift to appreciate the singer.
Moses Bliss gets a gift from the Marie Wiseborn family pic.twitter.com/i5elsfUZWI
— Dami’ Adenuga (@DAMIADENUGA) March 1, 2024
Some of the celebrities present at the ceremony include actress Juliet Ibrahim, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, the content creator, Layole Oyatogun, the OAP, and comedians Real Warri Pikin and Josh2Funny.
The couple also entertained the guests with choreographed dance steps.
In his vote of thanks, Moses described Marie as the “best bride in the whole of the universe”.
“Just before I give my vote of thanks. I want to correct an impression. When the MC was introducing my wife, he said this is the most beautiful bride in Africa. That is very wrong. She is the most beautiful bride in the whole of the universe. Just to put things in perspective,” he said.
Moses Bliss reaction when he saw his gorgeous wife was quite a drama…The guy is in love. If you missed their Trad, I'm all about it today. #SanctionsLifted Opay Morgan Freeman Enugu Mercy pic.twitter.com/PjBafJ69bb
— Lord Pero (@mcpero_) March 1, 2024
Events
Controversy trails Flavour’s performance at RCCG pastor Siju’s party
Siju, a pastor and wife of the Idowu Iluyomade, a senior pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David, Lagos, has set tongues wagging on social media for inviting secular singer Flavour to perform at her birthday party.
Siju, who is also a lawyer, speaker and activist, turned 60 last week.
She then celebrated the occasion at the Eko Hotels in Victoria Island in a grand style on Sunday.
The colourful and glamorous birthday party was graced by some notable figures, monarchs and the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry.
The attendees included Tony Elumelu, Toke Makinwa, Ali Baba, and Kenny Saint Brown, as well as Rasaq and Shade Okoya, among others.
In viral videos, Flavour, who was one of the performing artistes, was seen entertaining the guests with hit songs from his music catalogue.
In one of the videos, the singer also serenaded the celebrant on stage while she danced along to his performance.
The footage, however, attracted heated controversy on social media. Several Nigerians on X questioned why a secular artiste like Flavour should be performing at the birthday party of a pastor.
“When you see 60th birthday celebration of PASTOR Siju Illuyomade, then you will know why some people are STILL running away from church!” a user wrote.
Another user added in a lengthy post: “RCCG Pastor Siju Iluyomade, the wife of the senior Pastor of one of the biggest RCCG Parish held her 60th birthday party this weekend and Flavour was the lead artist but no gospel musician”.
Here is what some users had to say:
I just saw a video of pastor Siju illuyomade and Flavour performing at her party. Should eyebrows be raised?
— ANU OF LAGOS ⚡️🌻 (@Anuoflagos_) February 19, 2024
A pastor?
Sometimes, you find it difficult to avoid writing about some abnormalities in the Christendom. Dr. Siju Iluyomade, the celebrity Pastor's wife of the City of David RCCG(Redeemed Christian Church of God) Parish in Victoria Island, Lagos had a big birthday bash few days ago. And… pic.twitter.com/dmzkkIrWmu
— Pastor Okezie J. Atañi… (@ONsogbu) February 20, 2024
RCCG Pastor Siju Iluyomade, the wife of the senior Pastor of one of the biggest RCCG Parish held her 60th birthday party this weekend and Flavour was the lead artist but no gospel musician.
— A Letter From JAGABAN (@UyScutti) February 20, 2024
The Wigwe's were not ordinary members. The late Hebert few months ago gave a whooping… pic.twitter.com/r53HR0lqJS
When you see 60th birthday celebration of PASTOR Siju Illuyomade, then you will know why some people are STILL running away from church! 😑
— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) February 19, 2024
Pastor Mrs Iluyomade, is the wife of the pastor of one the biggest rccg branch. Her husband is the pastor of late Herbert wigwe who was a benefactor to that rccg branch. Look at her throwing a lavish party when are son in the lord is still in the morgue.
— Obidient-Optician (@MercyEgbai) February 20, 2024
Ikotun protest pic.twitter.com/1J4Xp57kSW
Pastor Siju Iluyomade, the wife of the senior Pastor of one of the biggest RCCG Parish held her 60th birthday party over the weekend, there was no assemblage of gospel artists, it was sexy Flavour who is the lead performer and a few other artists, it was a lavish party and quite… pic.twitter.com/EUXEpivFQu
— Eleyi of Edinburgh 🇳🇬 🏴 (@Ayoappeal) February 19, 2024
Events
5th edition of the Africa Women Summit in Kenya
Two weeks ago I paid a scheduled trip to Nairobi, Kenya as part of plans leading up to the much anticipated 5th edition of the Africa Women Summit.
I met with amazing women that make up the LOC and also had very engaging meetings with strategic partners.
One of the important update is the new venue for the summit, we will now be using JW Marriot for the summit for the 8-10th of May.
This summit will be the best ever as we tackle the very important issues around womens health.
I also had a taste of Kenyan food , Ughali and roasted meat, Nairobi is indeed beautiful and it is a destination well chosen for the summit.
We look forward to hosting all delegates in Nairobi, Kenya.
JW Marriot will be opening its majestic Hotel to the public sometime before the summit, it’s a new edifice.
To register to attend visit https://lnkd.in/dsWdDWhE
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