The Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, has announced the establishment of a $100 billion economic expansion fund aimed at promoting and preserving cultural heritage under President Tinubu’s administration.
Musa-Musawa, represented by the Director of Cultural Industry and Heritage, Rev. Ben Ugo, made this announcement at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival held at the Ojude Oba Pavilion in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday. She highlighted Nigeria’s cultural diversity and the Federal Government’s efforts to position the country as a cultural hub by 2030. Additionally, she mentioned that the annual Ojude Oba festival is being considered for inclusion on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, expressed his administration’s commitment to making the Ojude Oba festival a global event. He noted that the festival, which has evolved from a local gathering to honor the Awujale into an event attracting national and international audiences, is a symbol of the unity, hard work, perseverance, and industry of the Ijebu people.
“The Ojude Oba festival is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland but has now become a significant event that attracts local and foreign tourists to Ogun State, showcasing our hospitality and enviable tradition of Ijebuland to the national and global audience,” Abiodun said.
He emphasized that the festival, a catalyst for the development of Ijebuland, underscores the importance of preserving traditions for future generations and serves as a symbol of unity, tourism, and a rallying point for Ijebu sons and daughters to celebrate their culture and revered monarch. “Our administration is deeply committed to supporting the initiative to make it a permanent event in the global tourism industry,” he added.
Governor Abiodun also acknowledged the festival’s role in the socio-economic development for the region and the state. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his interest in expanding the festival and including it in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage. He assured that his administration is committed to creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and called for unity and harmony across the state to work together for progress.
“The state government will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for community development across the state and I solicit the support of the people, especially all the sons and daughters towards the 20th National Sports Festival, Gateway Games, 2024, part of which will be hosted right here in Ijebu-Ode,” the governor concluded.
Chief Olu Okuboyejo, Chairman of the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, thanked the governor for his support and appreciated the people for their massive turnout at the event.
