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Exclusive: Destination Quidha Test Tour Leaves Tourists Yearning for More, Bodex Media Gushes

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6 years ago

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Destination Oudah

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:

Destination Ouidah Destination Ouidah

 

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Events

Drama as Rema walks off stage at J Cole’s Dreamville Festival over sound issues

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2 weeks ago

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April 8, 2024 1:56 pm

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Rema, the Nigerian singer, on Sunday, walked off the stage during his performance at the 2024 Dreamville Festival in North Carolina.

The two-day festival took place on April 6 and 7.

Rema performed on day 2 alongside music heavyweights including J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Monica, and Muni Long.

During his performance of ‘Calm Down’, his hit track, the music star abruptly stopped the show due to sound issues.

A now-viral video captures Rema expressing his dissatisfaction with the sound quality, calling it “messed up” and stating it was hindering his performance.

He also called for equal treatment regarding sound quality for all artistes.

“Hold on, there are too many sound issues. it is messing up my whole performance I am seriously not feeling this sh*t at all,” he said

“It is too messed up. I am representing Africa, this is too messed up. If the sound cannot be perfect for every artiste that gets on this stage… Africa is in the house and you are messing sh*t up? I will walk out this stage bruh, fix it!”

Another clip shows Rema reiterating his concerns about the sound before leaving the stage.

“Too many sound issues my people, I love you goodnight,” he added.

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Events

Moses Bliss holds traditional wedding in Ghana (Video)

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2 months ago

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March 1, 2024 11:56 am

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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.

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.

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Events

Controversy trails Flavour’s performance at RCCG pastor Siju’s party

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2 months ago

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February 22, 2024 7:20 am

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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:

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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