Oyo targets local, foreign tourists

Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, said its maiden edition of the 2024 World Egungun/Fuji/Amala Festival, tagged “Our Culture, Our Heritage”, will target the expansion of the state’s economy through cultural tourism.

The state Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Wasiu Olatunbosun, gave this indication in a statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Suleiman Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, the state capital.

He said the festival would be a rich package of the cultural potential and heritage of the state and is intended to attract both local and foreign tourists for investment opportunities in line with the vision of Governor Makinde.

Olatunbosun said, “Masquerades hold deep historical significance, embodying the spirit of resilience and unity, which defines the state’s identity and is a testament to the enduring legacy of Oyo’s traditions, while the state also produced Fuji greats, including the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Iyanda Sawaba, Rasheed Ayinde Merenge, Abass Akande Obesere, Saheed Osupa and Taye Currency, to mention a few.

“The Egungun/Fuji/Amala Festival aligned with Governor Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 agenda, which has incorporated tourism for the expansion of the state’s economy.”

The commissioner, who noted that the cultural event would be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Race Course, Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, said it also will feature major masquerades offering a dynamic showcase of culture and dance, as well as music, and a savoury flavour of Amala with Gbegiri, Eko and Moin Moin cuisines.

He said, “The maiden edition of the World Egungun Festival will be held on Thursday at the Race Course, Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Ibadan. The festival will be the first of its kind in the state, South-West and probably Nigeria, and it is also going to be an annual event.

“We are going to make sure that we improve on whatever we do this year. Our target is to get it enlisted by UNESCO just like we did for the Sango Festival, and one of the criteria is for us to do the programme seamlessly for a minimum of five years.

“I believe strongly that we have laid a very strong foundation and we are helping the Engineer of Modern Oyo State, the governor himself, to also make another first in this regard.

“We are going to have Egungun, Fuji and also Amala on parade. We believe that the state should start doing something to recognise what Baba Barrister did in the area of Fuji’s creation. So, we are giving him a posthumous award. We also adopted all his songs as our official songs for the event.

“Also, we believe that we should also create a platform where we can promote upcoming artistes who are looking for such platforms to perform. So, we decided to use the day to accommodate them so that they can have the opportunity to showcase their talents.
We have discussed with the food vendors and the official foods that will be served include Amala and Abula soup, Moinmoin and Eko and Akara.

“Fuji legend, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, an indigene of the state, will also be honoured with a posthumous award in appreciation of his lasting legacy in promoting Fuji music to the world.”

Speaking on security before and during the festival, the commissioner assured the attendees of safety, stating that Governor Makinde’s security architecture has ensured the effective security of lives and property in the state in the last five years.