The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, has revealed the creation of an economic expansion fund of $100bn towards advancing and safeguarding the cultural heritage of President Tinubu’s administration.
Musa-Musawa who was represented by the Director of Cultural Industry and Heritage, Rev. Ben Ugo, at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival held at the Ojude Oba Pavilion in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday, acknowledged the cultural diversity of Nigerians, noting that the Federal Government is working towards making the nation a cultural hub by the year 2030.
He likewise said that the annual Ojude Oba festival, is being viewed to be listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s World Cultural Heritage.
While speaking, the Ogun State Lead Representative, Dapo Abiodun, said that his administration was ready to make the Ojude Oba festival a global event.
As indicated by him, the yearly event has grown from a simple get-together of Ijebu people to felicitate the Awujale, to an event that draws in both national and global audiences.
He made sense of the fact that the festival, which has turned into a tourist attraction, symbolizes and mirrors the aggregate solidarity of the people known for hard work, diligence, and industry.
“Ojude Oba festival is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland but has now become a significant event that attracts local and foreign tourists to Ogun State, showcasing our hospitality and enviable tradition of Ijebuland to the national and global audience,” he said.
“This festival serves as a symbol of our unity, tourism and a rallying point to all the Ijebu sons and daughters to celebrate the life and times of our tradition, culture, and revered monarch.
“It has become a catalyst for the development of Ijebuland, and this undoubtedly underscores the importance of preserving our traditions for future generations.
“By standing for unity and harmony, we elevate our community and set an example for others to follow. The essence of unity and harmony in Ijebuland can be seen willingly in cultural events like this festival.
“Our administration is deeply committed to supporting the initiative to make it a permanent event in the global tourism industry,” he said.
The event, the Lead Representative marked, creates open doors for advancement which has brought about the socio-economic development not exclusively to the hub however the state as a whole.
While thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing interest in expanding the festival, particularly with plans to include it in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage, the Lead Representative said his administration was focused on providing a favorable climate for business to flourish.
He said the festival creates an opportunity for the Ijebu people to assess the situation and project the future. He called for solidarity and concordance from people across the state, adding that the time had come to cooperate to construct a virile state.
“The state government will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for community development across the state and I solicit the support of the people, especially all the sons and daughters towards the 20th National Sports Festival, Gateway Games, 2024, part of which will be hosted right here in Ijebu-Ode,” the governor concluded.
Chairman of the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, appreciated the Lead Representative for his support for the festival and the people for turning up in large numbers to grace the event.
