Osun-Osogbo festival: Adeleke reaffirms commitment to creative sector

..Be more traditional than political, Gani Adams tells Yoruba monarch

TUNDE ADELEKE, Osogbo

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his commitment to reform the creative sector of the state economy covering tourism, entertainment and craft sub-sectors. The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, made the pledge at the grand finale of the 2024 Osun Osogbo festival held at the Osun Osogbo groove.

“Our Government is reforming and expanding various sectors of the economy. The creative industry is receiving special attention because of its potential as employers of labour and a booster of internally- generated revenue.

“We are supporting the private sector as the driver of the creative sector expansion agenda. This will speed up the rejuvenation of the sector.

“We have huge potentials to tap into in the tourism sector. Osun is the cradle of Yoruba race, the host of key Yoruba cultural assets. We are not relenting in our plans to make Osun the first tourism destination within and outside the federation”, he said.

Meanwhile, in his remarks the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has urged traditional rulers to be more trades than being political.

“As custodians of Yoruba culture and tradition, it is the responsibility of the traditional rulers to sustain the cultural identity of Yoruba race. Yoruba Obas should be more traditional than political.

“As we celebrate Osun Osogbo festival today, I am appealing to our traditional rulers across the southwest to keep the hope alive by playing their roles as custodians of Yoruba culture and tradition in their respective towns and communities”,  Otunba Adams said.

During the grand finale of the festival on Friday, the calabash carrier left the palace with the king, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, in procession to groove where they worshipped the goddess of the river with other worshippers.

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