The Federal Government says it has plans to list the annual Ojude Oba Festival as one of the festivals backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The Minister of Culture, Art and Creative Economy, Hannatu
Musa- Musawa, yesterday said the Federal Government is considering listing the
Ojude Oba Festival in Ogun State as one backed by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
According to Musa-Musawa, the annual festival aligns with
the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda mandate for the ministry, which
seeks to take revenue generation from tourism to over $100 billion by 2030.
The minister, represented by the Director of Cultural
Agencies and Heritage, Ben Ugo-Anama, spoke at the 2024 Ojude Oba festival held
at Awujale’s pavilion in Ijebu-Ode.
The global festival which showcases the rich cultural
heritage and endowments of the Ijebu people is celebrated the third day of
Eid-el-Adha. This year’s theme was ‘Ojude Oba: Unity and Harmony, Our Gift’.
The minister described the festival as a platform to foster
the country’s unity in diversity, and one that could diversify the economy from
oil to generate more revenue for the country.
She said: “In line with the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed
Hope Agenda, the ministry will always collaborate with stakeholders to promote,
preserve and protect the rich cultural heritage of our country to ensure it
reaches its enviable height, according to our vision for the Ministry called
‘Destination 2030’.
“This vision considers the potentials in arts, culture and
creative economy, in terms of its ability to create economic expansion. Our
ambitious goal is predicated on this drive which is capable of yielding over
$100 billion, an increase in the gross domestic product by year 2030.”
The minister also noted that despite giving the country a
good image, the festival was yet to have elements of UNESCO approval as one of
its approved festival. She said the festival, with its profound impacts on
tourism, deserves to be listed by the international body. She promised to
activate all the processes to get this done without further delay.
Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that the festival has given
Ijebuland and the people of Ogun State a distinct identity.
According to him, the festival has become a catalyst for the
development of Ijebuland, ‘and this underscores the essence of preserving our
rich cultural heritage’, he noted. He promised to partner the Federal
Government to develop the festival and make it a global tourist attraction and
destination.
Dignitaries at the event included former Governors Olusegun
Osoba and Gbenga Daniel; Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Senator Shuib
Salis (Ogun Central), Speaker of the House of Assembly Daisi Elemide; wife of
the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Abosede Adelami; wife of former President
of Nigeria, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; Accountant-General of the Federation, Mrs.
Oluwatoyin Madein, among others.