Egungun festival: Makinde pledges sustained investment in culture, tourism

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, reiterated his pledge to continue to support culture and tourism as means of enhancing its economic value chain in the state.

The governor made this pledge in his speech during the World Egungun Festival grand finale, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, the state capital.

Makinde, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde, noted that culture and tourism had been one of the fundamental factors used to improve the state’s economy and that it had generated more revenues under Omitutun 2.0 than in previous years.

He stressed that the Egungun Festival is one of the cultural heritages that has been underrated due to the beliefs of some people that it is all about spirituality and violence.

The governor said the state government put together the festival to change the wrong narrative and to explore the economic potential of the heritage.

Makinde said, “Let me again reiterate the commitment of the State Government to continue to support culture and tourism as means of enhancing its economic value chain in the state.

“Culture and tourism had been one of the fundamental factors used to improve the state’s economy, and it had generated more revenues under Omitutun 2.0 than in previous years.”

Commending all stakeholders, sponsors and different masquerades for their efforts and performances, the governor called on the organisers to put in more efforts in support of the festival.

In a goodwill message, the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Simon Field, commended Makinde’s uncommon leadership and, especially, his initiative in promoting culture and tourism in the state.

Also speaking, the royal father of the day and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who chairs the festival, commended Makinde’s administration for showcasing and promoting culture, traditions and customs in the state.

Represented by the Asipa of Ibadanland, Oba Hamid Ajibade, Ladoja offered special prayers for the continuous development, progress, and prosperity of Ibadanland and the state in general.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatubosun, also appreciated Makinde for his unwavering commitment and support to the promotion of tradition, customs and for the opportunity to showcase the cultural values and heritage of the state since the inception of his administration.

He hinted that plans were underway to enlist the Egungun Festival as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity, so as to ensure its recognition globally in order for it to contribute to boosting and expanding the economy of the state.

Olatubosun appreciated stakeholders, associations, groups and individuals for their support, while also calling for more partnership and support from corporate and international organisations, noting that such support would go a long way in ensuring that the culture and tradition do not go into extinction.

Dignitaries at the event were the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, Kazeem Adeniyi; President of the African Association for Japanese Studies, Adedoyin Aguoru; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ogun State, Olusesan Fagbayi; Araba of Osogbo, Ifayemi Elebuibon; President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Ajeniyi Ajewole; traditional rulers, religious leaders, Head of Missions, Diplomatic Corps, and ambassadors, among others.

At the event, which proved to be a festival of culture, drums, dance and all sorts of arts related to the Egungun phenomenon, witnessed by about 18,000 people, masquerades from the five geo-political zones of Oyo, as well as those from Ogun, Osun, Ekiti states, and the Republic of Benin, performed.