Oyo State Acting Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, has declared that the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is prepared to strengthen the promotion of culture and tourism to achieve his vision for an expanded and diversified economy in the state.
Lawal stated this on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 2024 World Sango Festival held at the Festival Arena, Aafin Oyo, Oyo, Oyo State, noting that the designation of the festival as a UNESCO Heritage was a great achievement for the state.
He maintained that the state government would continue to support religious harmony and peace as well as promote tradition and cultural heritage that bind the people together.
According to him, the Sango Festival would continue to gain recognition because culture and tourism were intertwined and related, explaining that though Sango is a Yoruba god and the traditional worship of the god is part of Yoruba culture, the tourism value of the festival cannot be overstated.
The acting governor equally commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment and support towards promoting cultural heritage as part of individual’s constitutional rights to freedom of worship.
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Delivering her speech, the Minister for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, affirmed that Tinubu administration remained committed to safeguarding and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
In his goodwill message, the representative of the Diplomatic Community, Ambassador of Portugal, Mr Paulo Santos, reiterated the impact of the festival as it gained global recognition, assuring of more support through diplomatic communities.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, described the 2024 World Sango Festival as first of its kind and the most distinctive expression of the larger heritage of the Yoruba race with a cultural manifestation that cuts across the globe.
He acknowledged the effort of the UNESCO for recognising and supporting the sustainability of the veritable World Sango Festival Heritage of Humanity in December 2023, which it noted, had been serving as a means and pedestal for fostering unity amongst the adherents and the generality of the community.
