The yearly Ojude Oba Festival is to be included on the list of festivals supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), according to the Federal Government. At the 2024 edition of the festival at Awujale’s pavilion, Ijebu-Ode, on Tuesday, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, the Minister of Culture, Arts, and Creative Economy, made this statement.
According to her, the ministry’s goal was to generate over $100 billion in revenue from tourism by 2030.
The minister characterized the yearly celebration as a venue for promoting national unity and one of the nation’s tourism assets.
According to Musa-Musawa, it might be used to diversify the country’s economy away from the oil industry and produce more resources.
She stated that the ministry would always work with stakeholders to promote, conserve, and protect our country’s rich cultural legacy in accordance with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister went on to say that the ministry will make sure it achieved its coveted peak in line with the “Destination 2030” strategy for the ministry.
“This vision considers the potentialities 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 billions and increasing the Gross Domestic Product by the year 2030,” she said.
She said that the Presidential Renewed Hope Agenda, especially for the ministry demonstrated unwavering commitment to diversify the economy and move away from the country’s over-dependence on oil revenue.
Musa-Musawa rejoiced with the sons and daughters of Ijebuland over the success of the festival and the good image it had given the country over the years.
She said that she had observed that the festival had not received any elements of UNESCO approval as one of its approved festivals.
According to the Minister, an international organization ought to include a festival such as Ojude-Oba on its list because of its significant influence on the travel and tourism industry.
But she promised to start all the procedures right away in order to finish this as soon as possible.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun praised Ojude-Oba and said that it had given Ijebuland and the Ogun people a unique identity.
According to Abiodun, the festival has also acted as a spur for Ijebuland’s development, which emphasizes how important it is to preserve the region’s rich cultural legacy.
He added that the theme of the celebration was quite apt, as unity and harmony remained the bedrock of any thriving society.
He called for a more united force to lift the country out of its present woes.
NAN reports that the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the chief host of the event, was also on the seat to receive over 100 age grade groups of males and females (Regberegbes), decked in attractive and impressive attire.
They came around to pay annual homage to the traditional ruler.
The horse riders, who were from the warrior families in Ijebuland, were also on hand to thrill the fun seekers with various acrobatic displays with their horses.
