Alaafin’s Cultural Ambassador, Paula Gomez honoured with Tourism Excellence Award
Dr. Paula Gomez, Cultural Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo, has been honoured with the Tourism Excellence Award at the 2025 Oyo State International Tourism Summit.
The award was presented during a gala dinner on Friday, July 25, at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan. The event marked the conclusion of the two-day summit which drew stakeholders from across Nigeria and beyond, including government officials, captains of industry, traditional rulers, and over 2,000 international tourists.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who presided over the event, praised Dr. Gomez for her dedication to cultural preservation and tourism development, describing her as “a woman of devotion who embodies the virtues of dignity, patience, wisdom, and courage.”
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, represented at the event, highlighted Dr. Gomez’s key role in the successful UNESCO inscription of the Sango Oyo Festival in 2023. The listing recognizes the festival as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Officials noted that the 2024 edition of the Sango Festival attracted tourists from 167 countries, boosting Oyo’s hospitality sector and reinforcing its global tourism profile.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Gomez expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engr. Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, and the summit organizers. She dedicated the award to the Alaafin and reaffirmed her commitment to promoting Yoruba culture on the global stage.
Dr. Gomez, a Portuguese researcher and cultural advocate, was praised for her personal discipline and mindfulness techniques, which have helped sustain her commitment to cultural diplomacy over the years.
The Tourism Excellence Award recognizes individuals and institutions advancing sustainable tourism and cultural heritage preservation.
