Oyo State Acting Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, has declared that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s administration is committed to strengthening the promotion of culture and tourism to achieve the vision of an expanded and diversified economy for the state.
Barr. Lawal made this statement on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 2024 World Sango Festival held at the Festival Arena, Aafin Oyo, Oyo, Oyo State. He noted that the festival’s designation as a UNESCO Heritage site is a significant achievement for the state.
The Acting Governor emphasized that the state government will continue to support religious harmony and peace, as well as promote traditions and cultural heritage that unify the people. According to him, the Sango Festival will continue to gain recognition because culture and tourism are interconnected. Although Sango is a Yoruba deity and traditional worship is part of Yoruba culture, the festival’s tourism value is immense. This was contained in a press release signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor on August 18, 2024.
He said: “I am delighted because today’s event is a fulfillment of the promises that Governor Makinde made in 2023 when we were campaigning for a second term in office. Wherever we went, he gave committed assurances that our culture would be lifted to higher heights. And today’s event is the manifestation of that commitment. So, I am happy.
“Again, I need to remind us that we also made a commitment that, like many other religions in Nigeria, we would declare Isese Day, and I am happy we have fulfilled that promise. Indeed, next Tuesday, August 20, has been declared as Isese Day, and a holiday has been declared to that effect.
“Today’s event is to mark the World Sango Festival. As you know, Sango is and was one of our leading spiritual deities. He was an Alaafin in Oyo Kingdom and became a god worshipped by many adherents to this day. That has become an important part of our culture.
“But, fundamentally, you will agree with me that culture and tourism are intertwined and interrelated, and what we are doing today is an encapsulation of culture and tourism. The benefit of this event is that it adds more to our revenue generation drive; adds fun to our environment, and tells us about our history and culture.
“We are happy that UNESCO has recognized the Sango Festival as part of the heritage that must be protected and observed. And, to this end, Oyo State will lend stronger support to that recognition. Whatever is required to lift this culture higher, the Governor Makinde-led administration is ever prepared to do it.
“We know that having distinguished personalities such as the Minister of Culture, Ambassadors of various countries, and other top Diplomats among us this afternoon eloquently tells the history that Sango is one of the recognized deities worldwide.”
The Acting Governor also commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment and support towards promoting cultural heritage as part of individual constitutional rights to freedom of worship.
In her speech, the Honourable Minister for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musawa, affirmed that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to safeguarding and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage. She noted that the government is “determined to support initiatives that protect traditions, encourage cultural expressions, and harness the power of our heritage for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
She assured the Oyo State Government of her Ministry’s support for these laudable initiatives and appreciated the Yoruba race for promoting cultural heritage. The Minister said: “This recognition by UNESCO is not just a milestone for Oyo State, the Yoruba people, and the Kingdom of Oyo, but a victory for Nigeria. It affirms my Ministry’s commitment to the global significance of our rich traditions, our stories, our values, and our way of life. This tells the world that the Sango Festival is not just an event, but a living testament to the vibrancy and resilience of our culture.”
In his goodwill message, the representative of the Diplomatic Community, His Excellency, Ambassador of Portugal, Mr. Paulo Santos, reiterated the festival’s impact as it gained global recognition, assuring 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 the 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 UNESCO’s efforts in recognizing and supporting the sustainability of the veritable World Sango Festival Heritage of Humanity in December 2023, which has served as a means and pedestal for fostering unity among the adherents and the general community.
Olatunbosun added that the festival’s success is also a testament to the Makinde administration’s fulfillment of the need to use culture and tourism to drive the state’s economic growth under Omituntun 2.0.
In her remarks, the Cultural Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo, Dr. Paula Gomez, thanked the Oyo State Government, the people of Oyo, the traditional religion adherents, the traditional council in Oyo, corporate bodies, and relevant stakeholders for supporting, upholding, and preserving the cultural heritage, which is celebrated in 42 countries worldwide.
The event had in attendance Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Santos; Consular, Embassy of Portugal in Nigeria, Ms. Cunha Johana Prata; Diplomats from Spain, Brazil, Cuba, among others, as well as the Member representing Oyo East, Oyo West, Afijio, and Atiba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi.
On the entourage of the Acting Governor were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor, Hon. Fola Oyekunle; Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade; his counterpart in the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Professor Soliu Adelabu; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Homeland Security, Mr. Segun Adegoke.
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