Celebrity

NTDA, OSGF Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthening Tourism Development Partnership

Published

8 months ago

February 9, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGF) have taken steps to revitalize their existing partnership, following a courtesy visit by the Director General of NTDA, Mr. Ola Awakan, to the Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. Abdulganiyu A. Adebomehin, FNIS, FCE, at the OSGF headquarters in Abuja.
Welcoming the NTDA delegation, the Surveyor General described the OSGF as one of Nigeria’s oldest public institutions, with a history that predates 1908.

He spoke on the rigour and precision of the surveying profession, noting that it involves extensive fieldwork across challenging terrains and increasing integration of technology.

While acknowledging technological advancements, he emphasized that professional expertise and experience remain central to achieving accuracy.

He highlighted the growing economic opportunities within the tourism sector and underscored the importance of mapping and wayfinding in tourism development.

Drawing from personal experience during his first international trip, he noted how accessible and accurate maps improve navigation and visitor confidence. He added that the OSGF possesses valuable geospatial data, including street guide maps, which can be better deployed to support tourism growth.

The Surveyor General expressed readiness to collaborate with NTDA on the development of digital mapping solutions to improve access to tourism destinations and enhance visitor experience.

He stressed the need for reliable, homegrown mapping platforms that can complement existing global tools, noting that widely used digital maps are not always fully accurate. He also referenced ongoing interest in mapping and supporting tourism locations, including coastal and leisure destinations.

In his response, the Director General of NTDA thanked the Surveyor General for the warm reception and acknowledged the historical importance of the OSGF. He described tourism as a major economic driver with a wide value chain and noted the strong alignment between tourism and surveying, as both are fundamentally linked to movement, navigation, and spatial planning.

The DG reiterated NTDA’s mandate as the apex regulator of tourism in Nigeria, responsible for developing tourism destinations and promoting Nigeria’s tourism assets and cultural heritage to domestic and international markets.

He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology, digital platforms, and innovation to increase visibility of Nigeria’s vast tourism potential, citing ongoing collaborative efforts with states, including recent engagements in Katsina State.

He welcomed the areas of collaboration proposed and expressed NTDA’s commitment to revitalizing the existing partnership framework between both institutions.

He stressed that practical inter-agency collaboration remains critical to advancing national development and delivering tangible benefits to Nigerians.

In his closing remarks, the Surveyor General affirmed the need to rekindle the existing synergy between NTDA and OSGF and proposed the establishment of a joint committee to drive renewed collaboration.

The meeting concluded with mutual appreciation and a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in support of tourism development and national growth.

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Mariaa Voice expands gospel music mission with ‘Akoko Mi’ and four-volume CCC Hymns series

Published

1 month ago

August 31, 2026

The Gleamer

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

“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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