Bayo Lawal, deputy governor of Oyo state, presented the awards at the grand ceremony, which celebrated individuals and organisations contributing significantly to tourism, culture, media, and creative development within the state and beyond.

The event was organised by the Oyo state government through the Oyo state ministry of culture and tourism under the leadership of Wasiu Olatunbosun, the commissioner for culture and tourism.

Adams received the youth in tourism award in recognition of his growing impact in media and cultural storytelling.

Chatta was honoured with the outstanding tourism start-up / SME award in recognition of the remarkable contribution of the Ibrahim Chatta Film Village to tourism, filmmaking, and cultural preservation.

The summit gathered stakeholders from the tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and creative sectors to discuss strategies for strengthening tourism development and promoting Oyo state as a major cultural and tourism hub in Nigeria.

Speaking after receiving the award, Adams said the honour would inspire him to do more meaningful work that “positively represents our heritage and society”.

“This recognition means a lot to me because storytelling has always been beyond filmmaking for me,” he said.

“It is about preserving our culture, documenting our people, and projecting our stories to the world.

“I’m grateful to the Oyo state government, ministry of culture and tourism for this honour. It will only inspire me to do more meaningful work that positively represents our heritage and society.”

The post Nollywood actor Ibrahim Chatta, multimedia journalist Ayo Adams honoured at Oyo tourism awards first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In the rich tapestry of Oyo state’s cultural renaissance, one name gleams like a golden thread intricately woven through every ceremonial spectacle, traditional reverence, and heritage promotion — Dr. Wasiu Adewale Olatunbosun, the honourable commissioner for culture and tourism.

With the spirit of a statesman and the vigour of a visionary, he has become the relentless rhythm behind the cultural heartbeat of Oyo state, moving with a purpose that is both profound and prophetic.

If leadership were a drum, then Dr. Olatunbosun is the talking drum of Oyo — echoing the spirit of tradition, communicating the soul of the people, and amplifying the legacy of our ancestors.

His approach to public office is not perfunctory; it is passionate, proactive, and purposeful. He has turned what many consider a ceremonial portfolio into the epicentre of cultural diplomacy, economic stimulation, and civic pride.

Occupying a position is one thing. Functioning in it with fervour and foresight is quite another. Dr. Olatunbosun has chosen the latter, not resting on the padded cushions of political privilege, but rising daily to answer the sacred call of public service. For him, leadership is a lantern, not a ladder, not a means to climb above others, but a beacon to guide them.

Across the scenic towns and traditional corridors of Oyo, his presence has become both expected and electrifying. Whether in the royal ambiance of a monarch’s coronation or the pulsating rhythm of a cultural carnival, he shows up, not merely in body, but in full essence, with a team of committed media professionals trailing his every strategic step, ensuring that Oyo’s stories reach the world.

Under his watch, every state event becomes a spectacle, not just of ceremony, but of deep-rooted meaning and well-orchestrated purpose. His strategy is simple yet sophisticated: take every cultural occasion and turn it into a billboard for the state’s heritage and hospitality.

At the historic installation of the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, Dr. Olatunbosun was more than just a commissioner; he was a cultural custodian. From coordinating the interface between the palace, the media, and the government, to orchestrating the flawless representation of tradition, his input gave the world a front-row seat to Yoruba royalty at its most regal.

The coronation of the new Eleruwa of Eruwa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegboola, was no less iconic. Dr. Olatunbosun’s deft handling of protocols and promotion ensured that the event did not just announce a new king — it announced to the world that Oyo’s culture lives, breathes, and leads.

The globally celebrated Egungun festival, a colourful cascade of ancestral homage and masquerade majesty, has enjoyed unparalleled state support and global visibility under his leadership.

Tourists, researchers, media crews, and culture enthusiasts now see Oyo as the epicentre of Yoruba masquerade mystique, thanks to the promotional prowess of his ministry.

From burial rites steeped in spiritual symbolism to festivals exploding with folkloric fanfare, the honourable commissioner has mastered the art of turning culture into capital, social, political, and economic.

As a media analyst, it is impossible not to note the meteoric media mileage of the ministry of culture and tourism in Oyo state. No other ministry under Governor Makinde’s administration enjoys as much coverage across print, broadcast, and digital platforms. And this is no accident.

Dr. Olatunbosun understands that in today’s world, “if it’s not seen, it’s not celebrated.” He attends every function with his own agile and articulate media team, ensuring that no moment of cultural glory goes undocumented. Through vibrant visuals, detailed reports, and social media storytelling, the Ministry has become a moving museum and media marvel.

His media team, professional, proactive, and passionate, deserves commendation. They have become the camera through which Oyo projects its pride, the pen through which history is written, and the microphone through which the culture speaks.

It would be remiss not to applaud the man who made all this possible — His Excellency, Engineer Abiodun Oluseyi Makinde, the executive governor of Oyo State. In a political landscape where portfolios are often ornamental, Governor Makinde has proven himself a rare breed: a leader who empowers his appointees to perform, not just pose.

By appointing a round peg like Dr. Olatunbosun into the round hole of culture and tourism, the governor has sown a seed that is yielding a harvest of heritage, harmony, and hospitality. It takes a secure leader to allow others shine — and Governor Makinde has done just that.

I recall with deep admiration the honourable commissioner’s attendance at the adaptation programme between Room to Read and Accessible Publishers Ltd.

His presence added a magnetic mix of glamour and gravitas to the event. Beyond ceremonial attendance, he engaged with stakeholders, interacted with sponsors, and showcased Oyo state as a business-friendly, investment-ready, and culturally rich destination.

To the delight of the sponsors, his representation was more than diplomatic — it was deeply strategic, articulate, and assuring. He projected not just the image of a ministry, but the vision of a government.

Let this be a mirror and a mandate to every appointed official: Leadership is not a title, it is a task. Responsibility is not about occupying an office, but about operationalising a vision.

Dr. Wasiu Adewale Olatunbosun has become a template of tenacity, a model of ministerial might, and a shining example of what it means to work the work, not just walk the walk.

Oyo’s cultural story is being rewritten — not in silence, but in splendour. And at the centre of that rewriting is a man who sees culture not just as tradition, but as transformation.

To every political office holder: The bar has been raised. The baton has been passed. Will you run your race with the same resolve?

Olufemi Timothy Ogunyejo is the registrar, Best in Print Academy/ Training and Development Manager, Accessible Publishers Ltd.

The post A crown for culture: The tireless torchbearer of Oyo’s heritage: Wasiu Adewale Olatunbosun in Action first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In the vibrant theatre of governance in Oyo state, where policy meets the pulse of the people, one man stands as a beacon of insight, innovation, and influence — Wasiu Adewale Olatunbosun, the commissioner for culture and tourism.

With the grace of a statesman and the grit of a strategist, he has become not just a custodian of tradition but the cerebral compass guiding the cultural awakening under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Engineer Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde.

Let us behold his persona through the prism of the human head — that symbolic seat of intellect and identity — and explore how each feature mirrors his immeasurable contributions to statecraft and society.

Keen and kaleidoscopic, Dr. Olatunbosun’s eyes do not merely see; they envision. He sees the unseen potential in heritage sites, the hidden artistry in indigenous crafts, and the quiet strength in forgotten traditions. His perceptive gaze has transformed overlooked relics into revered landmarks, turning culture into currency and history into harmony. With foresight as his forté, he has crafted a cultural roadmap that places Oyo not only on the national radar but the global map.

Attuned to the whispers of the grassroots and the symphony of stakeholders, his ears are ever open to the voices that matter. He listens — not with the formality of a functionary but with the empathy of a leader. From local artisans in Oje to cultural icons in Ibadan, Dr. Olatunbosun hears the hopes of his people, and more importantly, he acts on them. His policies are not proclamations from the top but responses from the heart.

Gifted with a golden tongue and grounded in wisdom, his words are not mere soundbites but signposts. He speaks with the eloquence of an academic and the conviction of a crusader. Whether addressing the media or mentoring young creatives, his rhetoric radiates purpose. His speeches spark minds, stir spirits, and shape narratives — reinforcing the role of culture as both soul and strategy in state development.

Like a seasoned sommelier of social change, Dr. Olatunbosun possesses a nose for nuance. He sniffs out subtle trends in tourism, discerns delicate shifts in public sentiment, and anticipates policy pitfalls before they rise. This instinctive intellect allows him to stay one step ahead, ensuring that Oyo’s cultural journey is both timely and timeless.

The crown jewel of his contribution lies in his brilliant brain — an intellectual powerhouse fused with emotional intelligence. With a Ph.D. in Communication, he brings scholarly depth to strategic delivery, blending research with relevance. His mind maps out sustainable models for cultural management and tourism marketing, making him not just a commissioner but a craftsman of continuity and change.
The head itself

Altogether, Olatunbosun stands as the symbolic head of Oyo’s cultural rebirth — not in title alone, but in thought, theory, and thorough action. His leadership is not loud, yet it is luminous. Not forceful, yet formidable. He embodies what it means to lead with the mind and serve with the soul.

As Governor Oluseyi Makinde continues to champion a new era of integrity, inclusion, and innovation in Oyo State, the invaluable role of Dr. Wasiu Adewale Olatunbosun remains unquestionable. He is the sentinel of our stories, the voice of our value, and the mastermind behind the mosaic of Oyo’s modern identity.

Indeed, in the grand anatomy of governance, Dr. Olatunbosun is the head that holds the heritage.

 Olufemi Timothy OGUNYEJO, is the registrar at the Best in Print Academy Ibadan and also the training and development manager, Accessible Publishers Ltd, Ibadan

The post Thinking head of heritage: A portrait of Wasiu Olatunbosun, the visionary voice behind Oyo’s cultural renaissance first appeared on The Times of Abuja.