The Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has renovated and commissioned the Hall of Fame at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, as part of efforts to promote artistic tourism and enhance visitors’ experiences.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, said the initiative was designed to promote experiential tourism by creating visually appealing and interactive spaces that would attract tourists, school groups and cultural enthusiasts.
According to him, the renovation reflected the Ministry’s commitment to developing cultural attractions that combined entertainment, education and heritage preservation, while also creating opportunities for increased patronage and revenue generation.
Fagbayi, explained that the renovated Hall of Fame had a combination of immersive set designs with curated displays, celebrating local talent, creativity and cultural heritage.
The Commissioner commended the Visual Arts Department for demonstrating creativity and professionalism in the project, urging its personnel to sustain their efforts towards achieving greater feats in the promotion of Ogun’s artistic heritage.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Quudus Yusuff, said the renovation was part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to make cultural sites more interactive, attractive and visitor-friendly.
Yusuff, noted that the enhanced facility was designed to marry aesthetic presentation with educational value, thereby providing visitors with an engaging cultural experience.
He highlighted some of the new features to include a staged home setting, decorated with locally produced fabrics, a specialised sofa made from recycled tyres and other materials, as well as a modernised palace setting equipped with mannequins to enhance photography and visual displays.
He added that the facility also had in its kitty a private meeting room suitable for two to three people.
Also speaking, the Director of Visual Arts, Mr. Emmanuel Ikwe, said the new installation was designed to offer visitors more than conventional snapshots, providing them with opportunities to pose in carefully crafted settings that evoke the atmosphere and grandeur of royalty.
Ikwe, added that the facelift was developed in-house, with contributions from local artists and stakeholders across various visual arts disciplines, further demonstrating the creative talent available in the State.