Oyo State government has had an interface with the traditional religion leaders in the State in preparation for the forthcoming 2021 Omituntun Pacesetter Festival of Culture and Tourism, scheduled to hold between 1st to 6th of April, 2021.
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism organised an interactive program at the Ministry’s Film Theater, with varying traditional religious groups in preparation for the commencement and success of the festival, which took place on Monday.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun used the occasion to affirm the readiness of Oyo State government to successfully hold the event.
In his address at the interactive session, he enjoined the stakeholders to see the event as a means to promoting the state enormous cultural values and heritage to the whole world.
“The Omituntun Pacesetter Festival of Culture and Tourism has so much to do with the Yoruba culture and tradition and we cannot do this without engaging those who are the custodians of the Culture.
“We appreciate your love for the present administration, which prompted you to show interest in this and other programmes that the government put forward for the benefit of the citizens, we promise that we will not fail you,” Olatubosun assured.
He charged the various religious groups to be united towards enhancing the success of the festival, urging them to prepare their regalias for the event .
Dr Olatunbosun, explained that Oyo state would have participated in the last year’s national festival of culture at Abuja, but was stopped by the ravaging Corona virus spread in the country at that time, assuring that parcitipants would be carried along against 2021 Abuja Festival.
In his contribution, Honourable Isiaka Tunde Kazeem, chairman House Committee on Culture and Tourism in the State House of Assembly, urged the Traditional groups to be united and shun discrimination.
He advised them to uphold our traditional and cultural legacy, so that it won’t be forfeited to foreigners and also asked them to collaborate with government in showcasing the native values as Africans, condemning the rate at which most of Yoruba’ cultural heritage are now being exported abroad .
On his part, Mogaji Abass Oloko, Vice Chairman, Board of Culture and Tourism, reiterated the importance of the traditionalists in the process of coronation for Africans Traditional leaders, while emphasizing the need to brainstorm on improving and promoting the traditional cultural heritage.
Reacting on the issue, the Aare Isese of Yoruba , Surveyor Adefabi Dasola, while appreciating Oyo state government for organizing the festival, advised the government to include and appoints traditionalists as special assistant on Cultural and Tourism board.
He urged the government and the house of Assembly to vote substantial fund to the Ministry of Information , Culture and Tourism for it to carry out its statutory roles in propagating the Yoruba culture as a means of promoting values and good behaviour among the citizens.
Dignitaries present at the session include, Chief Oke Adejare Adisa, Asa Orisa Alaafin Oyo, Dr Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, Secretary Traditional Religion Worshippers Association of Oyo State, Chief Awotunde Akanni Adedeji, Mosifa Ogbomosho, Mr Adegbemiga Alade, Director of Culture and others.
