Creative Industry

NIHOTOUR Gears Up For World Gastronomy Day, Hosts Cooking, Essay Competitions

Published

3 years ago

February 1, 2022

By Joel Ajayi

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is gearing up for a successful hosting of the United Nations World Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2022, the second edition in the country scheduled for Saturday, 18th June 2022 at the Abuja International Conference Centre, Abuja.

In a press statement issued by Director, Media And Public Relations, Ahmed Mohammed Sule revealed that NIHOTOUR Director-General Nura Sani Kangiwa said the 2022 edition of the event which promises to be educative and entertaining, is loaded with a series of culinary activities to justify the objectives for the observance of the Day and seeks to promote the art of food preparation and consumption by different cultures in a sustainable manner.

According to the statement, the Sustainable Gastronomy Day event is expected to attract thousands of visitors and participation by various Catering Schools, Food Vendors, Popular Eateries and leading Hospitality and Beverage Brands, Secondary Schools offering Tourism subjects and exhibitions by NIHOTOUR Hospitality Department as well as a culinary display by Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria.

“Gastronomy, which is a cultural expression of nations through their food choices, sources of ingredients and types of cuisines that thrives in culturally rich destinations like Nigeria as the most competitive Gastronomy tourist destination in Africa, is celebrated on the 18th of June every year following the December 21st, 2016 United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 71/246 which adopted and declared that the 18th June of every year is observed as a Sustainable Gastronomy Day.

“The Concept of Sustainable Gastronomy which seeks to promote cultural cuisines and sustainable diets, compels hospitality service providers and ‘food tourists’ to focus on the variety and benefits of native ingredients in local cuisines as well as enhance sustainable production, consumption and to highlight humanity’s variety of food systems, was first observed in 2017, making this year’s observance the sixth globally, and the second in Nigeria, with NIHOTOUR as the nation’s apex public Agency responsible for training, research and regulation of professional practice in the Travel-Tourism and Hospitality industry, championing the successful hosting of the event in 2021.

According to a report made available to the press, quite a number of activities are being lined up for the celebration of the 2022 edition which includes a cooking competition among Catering Schools in FCT, an Essay writing challenge for Secondary Schools offering Tourism as well as a spotlight on leading hospitality brands and tourism business operators in Nigeria.

The event also offers a remarkable opportunity for Embassies and Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria to exhibit the traditional cuisines of their respective countries by showcasing, sharing, educating, and informing the world of their rich diversity in food and beverages.

Activities of the observance day will be rounded up in the evening with a live musical performance by leading Nigerian artists during which prizes will be distributed to winners of the Cooking and Essay Writing Competitions.

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Creative Industry

Stephanie Linus, Juliet Ibrahim 8 others Appointed Jury Members For Zuma International Film Festival

Published

3 months ago

November 13, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Ten-member 10 jury of reputable Nigerian and foreign filmmakers to adjudicate on all entries in the competitive category of the Zuma international film festival, 2024, scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital from December 1st to 5th, which is jointly being organized by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has been announced.

Announcing the constitution of the ten-member jury through a statement issued in Abuja (on Monday, November, 11, 2024); Brian Etuk, NFC’s Director of Public Affairs, said “the jury is most critical to the selection of winning entries and composition of the jury reflects the premium and niche of ZUMA International Film Festival, as one of the continents fastest growing international film festivals and market events”.

He said, this explains why membership of the jury includes both Nigerian and foreign film stakeholders who have in the recent past promoted authentic Nigerian and African resonate stories, and continue to contribute immensely to the growth of inclusive global film production.

Stephanie Okereke Linus, an A-list Nigerian actress, filmmaker, activist with lead appearances in over 100 movies, including an Afro-Hollywood, USA Filmmakers Award for Excellence, Reel Awards for Best Actress, and recently, the AMVCA Award for Best Overall Movie in Africa as well as recipient of the AMAA Award for Best Nigerian Film for her impactful work DRY was named as the Chairperson of the Jury.

Other members are Kenneth Gyang- director of This Is Lagos, Mojisola as well as Oloture Netflix’s Original from Nigeria; Aisha Halilu Abdullahi – a docu-drama and documentary specialist; Ishaq Sidi Ishaq – an actor, writer and producer of “Kamilu”,‘‘Wasila’’; Charles Novia – an avant-garde Nollywood ﬁlmmaker, scriptwriter, producer, director and creative entrepreneur; Hakeem Kae Kazim – a supremely talented actor, producer, director of great cinematic portrayal of George Rutugunda in the Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda, as well as playing leading roles in The Librarian.

The Triangle, and knack for creating feisty and deeply thrilling characters; Sihle Hlophe – director with multiple awards and over 15 years of experience; Ronya Man – an acting coach and creative arts specialist with handles on Lahira, SIN.

The Johnsons, as well as Juliet Ibrahim – a bilingual (French and English) speaking multiple award-wining producer, director, entrepreneur with over 100 movie appearances. Zaiyanu Tanko Waziri, a veteran filmmaker and broadcaster with over two decades of professional experience was also named as member of the jury.

In the statement, Dr. Ali Nuhu, NFC’s Managing Director & Chairman, Festival Organising Committee, on behalf of its partner, the FCTA, congratulated Stephanie Okereke – Linus for emerging as Chairperson of the Jury. Dr. Nuhu said that the Jury Chairperson and her team’s roles are critical to the overall success of the Film Festival brand, which no effort has been spared in its organization in terms of content, attendance and participation. NFC; Nuhu averred, remains committed to achieving the objectives of sustaining the positive narratives that Nigeria with a huge creative economy, is indeed the hub of film production in Africa.

Zuma International Film Festival 2024, the 14th in the series and themed: Digital Renaissance: Embracing The Future takes place December 1st – 5th at Chida Event Centre, Abuja Nigeria. Meanwhile, Etuk added that the online registration portal of the film festival has opened, and intending participants can register through the link :- https://zumafilmfest.com/zuff-2024-registration.

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