Celebrity
NTDA Intensifies Preparations for a World-Class Eyo Festival 2025
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has begun strategic engagements to reposition the Eyo Festival as one of the nation’s leading cultural tourism attractions, with a courtesy visit by the Director General, Dr. Ola Awakan, to the Iga Idunganran Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I.
The visit forms part of NTDA’s renewed commitment to transforming Nigeria’s major cultural festivals into globally competitive tourism assets, with the Eyo Festival identified as a flagship event capable of drawing both domestic and international visitors.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Awakan noted that the Eyo Festival represents the soul of Lagos culture and stands as a powerful tool for destination branding.
“Our focus is to work closely with the Lagos Royal Institution to elevate the Eyo Festival into a world-class cultural attraction that mirrors the vibrancy, identity, and history of Lagos,” he said.
He emphasized the Authority’s dedication to providing technical support, strengthening promotion, and enhancing cultural preservation.
Oba Akiolu welcomed NTDA’s renewed interest, expressing strong support for a more coordinated national approach to the festival’s promotion.
“The Eyo Festival is a heritage treasure and the heartbeat of Lagos tradition. We welcome collaborations that will help safeguard its legacy and promote it as a cultural pride for future generations,” he said.
The monarch urged the NTDA DG to remain steadfast in advancing tourism values that reflect integrity, heritage protection, and cultural growth.
Both parties discussed opportunities to transform the 2025 edition of the Eyo Festival into a more structured cultural tourism experience—one that not only preserves tradition but also enhances visitor participation, creates economic opportunities for local communities, and strengthens Lagos’ position as a premier cultural destination.
At the end of the palace engagement, the Director General and his team were received by the Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government and Chairman of the 2025 Eyo Festival Planning Committee, Hon. Taiwo Oyekan. He welcomed NTDA’s involvement and assured the Authority of the committee’s readiness to work collaboratively to deliver a successful, tourism-driven festival.
Dr. Awakan was accompanied by the NTDA South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Alice Akinsola, and other senior officials.
Celebrity
Mariaa Voice expands gospel music mission with ‘Akoko Mi’ and four-volume CCC Hymns series
Maria Abimbola Iyaomolere, popularly known as Mariaa Voice, is expanding the scope of her gospel music ministry with a growing body of work that combines original inspirational music with a deliberate effort to preserve and promote the rich hymn tradition of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC).
Following the release of her inspirational single, “Akoko Mi (My Season),” Mariaa Voice has continued to build on a musical journey that increasingly reflects both her artistic identity and her desire to use music as a vehicle for faith, learning and spiritual upliftment.
“Akoko Mi,” which translates to “My Season,” carries a message of hope, patience and divine timing. Re…
[9:59 am, 31/08/2026] Wikipedia Guy: Mariaa Voice expands gospel music mission with ‘Akoko Mi’ and four-volume CCC Hymns series
Maria Abimbola Iyaomolere, popularly known as Mariaa Voice, is expanding the scope of her gospel music ministry with a growing body of work that combines original inspirational music with a deliberate effort to preserve and promote the rich hymn tradition of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC).
Following the release of her inspirational single, “Akoko Mi (My Season),” Mariaa Voice has continued to build on a musical journey that increasingly reflects both her artistic identity and her desire to use music as a vehicle for faith, learning and spiritual upliftment.
“Akoko Mi,” which translates to “My Season,” carries a message of hope, patience and divine timing. Released in 2026, the song presents a declaration that seasons change, doors open and transformation comes at the appointed time. Its accompanying visual further reinforces the message of trusting the process and remaining hopeful for what lies ahead.
For Mariaa Voice, however, the song represents only one part of a broader musical assignment.
A particularly significant aspect of her recent work has been the CCC Hymns project, which has now grown to four volumes. The project brings together hymns from the Celestial Church of Christ, with Mariaa Voice intentionally selecting many songs that are not among the more commonly known hymns regularly heard in church settings.
According to the gospel minister, some of the selections also draw from newer hymns contained in the CCC New Revised Standard version, allowing the project to introduce listeners to a wider range of the church’s musical heritage.
“So far I have done CCC HYMNS VOL 1, 2, 3 & 4,” she said, explaining the motivation behind the project.
“The majority of the hymns in each album are not the common ones, some are new hymns included in the CCC New Revised Standard version.”
For Mariaa Voice, the project goes beyond recording and releasing music. It is also an effort to help people discover and learn hymns that they may otherwise have little opportunity to encounter.
“The main reason behind it is not just to showcase the beautiful and spirit-filled hymns God has given the church, but it’s also an avenue for people to actually learn to sing these hymns,” she explained.
That approach has given the project a distinctive place within her growing catalogue. Rather than concentrating solely on contemporary gospel sounds, Mariaa Voice is using her vocal ability and recording experience to bring renewed attention to a repertoire rooted in the worship tradition of the Celestial Church of Christ.
Her official catalogue now features four volumes of the CCC Hymns project alongside original songs including “IRE,” “ORI MI,” “Sin Oluwa,” “Se’yanú” and “Oti Funmilayo.”
The development represents a natural progression for an artiste whose musical journey began in the church.
As previously documented, Mariaa Voice’s early exposure to music came through the church choir, including her time with the “Little Angels” choir, before her talent was recognised and she was encouraged to pursue music professionally.
Over the years, that foundation has developed into a career spanning gospel music, songwriting, recording, performance and voice-over artistry. Her repertoire has also demonstrated a willingness to explore different contemporary gospel influences while maintaining a strong emphasis on positive and uplifting messages.
With “Akoko Mi,” that message remains central.
The song is built around the reassurance that delay does not mean denial and that every individual has a season ordained for them.
“Akoko Mi (My Season) is not just a song, it’s a declaration,” Mariaa Voice said.
“A reminder that no matter how long it takes, your time will come. Transformation will happen. Doors will open. Grace will speak. Nothing can stop what God has already ordained for you.”
That message has become particularly consistent with the direction of her recent work, music that does not merely entertain but seeks to encourage listeners, strengthen their faith and point them towards hope.
While the CCC Hymns series looks back to a rich worship tradition and helps bring lesser-known hymns to a wider audience, “Akoko Mi” looks forward, offering a contemporary expression of faith and expectation.
Together, the two strands of her recent work reveal an artiste increasingly defining her ministry around both preservation and inspiration, preserving hymns that deserve to be heard while creating new music that speaks to the experiences and expectations of today’s listeners.
With four CCC Hymns volumes now completed and “Akoko Mi” adding another chapter to her catalogue, Mariaa Voice continues to carve out a distinctive space for herself as a gospel minister committed to using her voice not only to perform, but also to teach, inspire and preserve a musical heritage for the next generation.
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