CITIZENS COMPASS – The federal government of Nigeria has promised to take the annual Ojude-Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, to another level by enlisting it as one of the of the festivals backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Disclosing this on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the annual Ojude Oba festival, held at Awujale’s pavilion, Ijebu-Ode, the Minister of Culture, Art and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa-Musawa, applauded the festival saying it is in tune with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda mandate for the ministry.
She said the Agenda seeks to take revenue generation from tourism to over $100bn by 2030.
X-raying the theme for this year’s celebrations, “Ojude Oba: Unity and Harmony, Our Gift”, the Minister described the festival as a platform that fosters the unity of the country in diversity, as well as one of the country’s tourism potentials that can be tapped into to diversify the economy from oil and generate more resources for the country.
“In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry will always collaborate with stakeholders to promote, preserve, and protect the rich cultural heritage of our nation to ensure it reaches its enviable height according to our vision for the Ministry called destination 2030.
“This vision considers the potential in arts, culture, and creative economy in terms of its ability to create economic expansion. Our ambitious goals are predicated on this drive which is capable of yielding over $100bn, an increase in the gross domestic product by the year 2030”.
According to her, she had also observed that the festival was yet to get UNESCO approval as one of its approved festivals.
The Minister said the status of a festival like Ojude-Oba with its profound impacts on the tourism sector of the country deserves to be listed by the international body, vowing to activate all the processes to get this done without further delay.
Also speaking, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun hailed the festival describing it as an event that has given Ijebuland and indeed, the people of Ogun State a distinct identity.
He said that it has become a catalyst for the development of Ijebuland, and this underscores the essence of preserving our rich cultural heritage.
He promised to partner with the federal government to develop the festival and make it a global tourist attraction and destination.
The governor said that the theme of the celebration was quite apt as unity and harmony remain the bedrock of any thriving society, calling for a more united force to lift the country out of its present woes.
The Chief Host, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona was at hand to receive over 100 age grade groups of males and females (Regberegbes) decked in different attires, who came around to pay annual homage to the traditional ruler.
The horse riders who are from the warrior families in Ijebuland were also on hand to thrill the fun seekers with various acrobatic displays with their horses.
The event played host to dignitaries from all walks of life.
Some participants expressed delight at the event calling on the State Governor to boost it.
The global festival which showcases the rich cultural heritage and endowments of the people of Ijebuland is celebrated every third day of Eid-el-Adha.
Earlier, Digital solutions provider, Globacom, being a major sponsor of the festival had adorned Ijebu-Ode with its branded materials right from the flyover leading to Lagos Garage and other strategic areas in the town.
At the weekend, places like Oyingbo, Old Ondo-Benin road, Arigbabu, Itori Junction, and Folagbade Street down to Idobi among other areas were wearing different attractive looks (courtesy of Globacom) during a tour of Ijebu-Ode by Citizens Compass.
