The Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Mrs. Hannatu Musa-Musawa, has announced the setting up of a $100 billion economic expansion fund to support and preserve the cultural heritage component of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The festival, held annually on the third day of Eid-el-Kabir, has as its theme “Ojude Oba: Unity and Harmony, Our Gift”, took place at the Ojude Oba Pavilion in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday.
The Minister, represented by the Director of Cultural Industry and Heritage in the ministry, Rev. Ben Ugoat, stated that the federal government has plans to nominate the annual Ojude Oba festival for inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Cultural Heritage list.
The minister added that the ministry would ensure it reached its enviable height according to the vision for the ministry tagged “Destination 2030.”
“This vision considers the potentialities in arts, culture, and the 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.
Ogun Gov. Dapo Abiodun expressed his administration’s commitment to elevating the Ojude Oba festival to a global phenomenon.
He underscored the festival’s evolution from a local gathering of Ijebu people to honor the Awujale to an internationally recognized event drawing visitors from across the nation and around the world.
“The Ojude Oba festival not only embodies the cultural heritage of Ijebuland but has evolved into a significant occasion attracting tourists to Ogun State, showcasing our hospitality and the rich traditions of Ijebuland to a global audience,” Abiodun said.
He emphasized the festival’s role as a unifying force and a platform for celebrating tradition, culture, and the revered monarch, while also serving as a catalyst for the development of Ijebuland and beyond.
Abiodun expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his interest in expanding the festival and integrating it into UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to fostering an enabling environment for business growth.
Highlighting the festival’s socio-economic contributions, the governor called for unity and collaboration among the people of the state to ensure progress and prosperity.
“The state government remains committed to fostering community development and seeks the support of all citizens, especially during the upcoming 20th National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, part of which will be hosted here in Ijebu-Ode,” Persscondnews quotes Governor Abiodun as saying.
The chairman of the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, expressed gratitude to the governor for his unwavering support for the festival while also thanking the attendees for their overwhelming participation in the event.
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