Creative Industry
FG Eyes Guinness World Record with 3.6km Longest Dining Table at Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Mega Event
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has announced plans to attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest dining table in the world, a 3.6-kilometre setup expected to seat between 2,000 and 3,000 participants, during the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival slated for December in Abuja.
The ambitious initiative was unveiled on Thursday at a joint world press briefing addressed by the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.
This year’s festival, themed “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” will celebrate Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage while advancing economic opportunities across the hospitality and creative sectors — aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Fagade disclosed that the record-breaking attempt will take place on the morning of December 6, after which the table will be transformed into a communal dining space later in the day.
“We plan to break the record in the morning of December 6 and use the same table for a dining event later. There will be food, culture, music, and comedy in the evening. It will show that Abuja can also host major cultural events in December,”
he said.
He added that the initiative is part of NIHOTOUR’s broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism value chain through skills development, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment, while attracting investors and expanding business prospects in food, hospitality, and agribusiness.
Speaking at the briefing, Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa described the event as a strategic platform for economic inclusion and youth participation in the creative economy.
“When we talk about economic growth and youth development, gastronomy plays a role just like film, music, and fashion. People eat every day, and Nigeria has made significant progress in showcasing its food globally,”
she noted.
Musawa also highlighted how Nigerian cuisine continues to enhance cultural diplomacy, emphasizing the creativity of Nigerian chefs and food entrepreneurs who have deepened the country’s global cultural footprint.
The week-long festival will feature culinary masterclasses, food tastings, exhibitions, cultural displays, and investment dialogues, attracting local and international stakeholders.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to formally unveil the Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival and the Guinness World Record attempt in Abuja.
Creative Industry
NTDA Moves to Transform Gelede Festival into a National Cultural Event with Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom
Cyril Ogar
The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Ola Awakan paid a courtesy visit to the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, Yaba as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration for cultural tourism development.
The delegation was received by His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeshina Adeniyi (Maforunyomi I), the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom, Yaba; Olori Mosunmola Anike Adeniyi; the Bales of the kingdom; and members of the White Cap Chiefs. The visit commenced with a vibrant cultural procession by the revered Gelede Masquerades, showcasing the rich heritage of the community.
Addressing the Director-General, the monarch applauded him for honouring the invitation and commended his efforts in leveraging his office to drive innovation within Nigeria’s tourism sector.
The monarch applauds the NTDA Boss for his initiatives towards repositioning the country’s cultural heritage on a global stage.
Oba Adeniyi further expressed his interest in fostering a strategic partnership between the Igbobi-Sabe Kingdom and the NTDA, emphasizing the community’s readiness to actively participate in ongoing efforts to develop and promote tourism across the country.
He highlighted key cultural assets within the kingdom, including the Gelede Masquerades; an important cultural symbol associated with fertility and childbirth; and two ancient iroko trees within the community, each over 250 years old.
In response, the DG appreciated the traditional ruler for the invitation, honour, and warm reception, stating that the visit was not only culturally enriching but also strategically important to the Authority’s mandate.
He continued by emphasizing the role traditional institutions play in advancing Nigeria’s tourism sector.
He stated that effective storytelling is essential to unlocking the value of cultural heritage, explaining that documenting and sharing the stories behind cultural elements such as the Gelede Masquerades and the ancient iroko trees would enhance their appeal to both local and international tourists.
The NTDA DG further proposed featuring Igbobi-Sabe’s tourism assets in the ongoing NITOUREY Project, the first-ever tourism dedicated streaming platform in Africa aimed towards showcasing Nigeria’s rich and vibrant tourism assets to the world.
The meeting proceeded with a guided tour of one of the iroko tree sites located in Abule Ijesa, Yaba, where the Director-General observed that the site holds significant potential for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
He encouraged the traditional ruler to work closely with the NTDA in developing initiatives that would revitalize the historic landmarks, positioning them as prominent symbols of Nigeria’s cultural tourism.
The Director-General received royal blessings from the Monatch who wished him wisdom and success in his tenure, while expressing confidence in his leadership and vision.
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