The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its avowed commitment to promoting culture and tourism to expand and improve the economy of the state as envisioned by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde in the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development.
The state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, stated this on Monday at a press conference heralding the 2024 Alaragbo International Cultural Festival, held at the Council for Arts and Culture, Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan.
He maintained that the state government through his Ministry will not relent in its efforts to showcase, promote, develop as well as preserve the cultural heritage of the state through strategic collaborations with relevant stakeholders and adherents to repackage and redefine various cultural festivals to UNESCO standard.
Dr Olatunbosun explained that the Alaragbo International Cultural Festival started on Friday, November 1 and that the grand finale will hold on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Christ High School, Olosan, Ayegun Oleyo, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Ibadan.
He added that the festival usually lasts for eighteen (18) days and that it would serve as a platform to boost cultural tourism in the state and also draw participants, adherents and devotees from all walks of life including those in the Diaspora.
Speaking on the essence of the festival, Olatunbosun explained that Alaragbo; a powerful deity, operates as an independent unifier as well as the arrowhead that unites all the ‘Egbes’ (societies).
The festival, according to the commissioner, will feature activities such as distribution of food items to 300 widows and underprivileged, visitation to motherless babies’ homes, appeasement of the Yoruba god of iron ‘Ogun’ and ‘Esu’, Ifa and the worship of ‘Imole’ and its consecration, paying homage and performing of ritual to Yoruba ancestors, among other.
In her remarks, the Yeye Alaragbo Oodua, Omo’ba Yeye Abiye Osunbunmi Ifasemilore, appreciated Governor Makinde for his support and commitment to traditional adherents and promotion of culture and tradition.
She added that the governor had also been fostering unity among the diverse religions in the state, saying that the Yoruba cultural heritage is not fetish as insinuated by some contemporary believers.
The press briefing had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr Muftau Ayoola; General Manager, Council for Arts and Culture, Chief Mrs Adeyinka Adedeji; Alaragbo devotees and others.
November 4, 2024.