FG to list Ojude Oba as UNESCO approved festival

The Federal Government on Tuesday disclosed its desire to activate plans to list the yearly Ojude Oba festival, as one of the of the festivals backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Minister of Culture, Art and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, who said this at the annual Ojude Oba festival, held at Awujale’s pavilion, Ijebu-Ode, noted that the annual festival is in tune with the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda mandate for the ministry, which seeks to take revenue generation from tourism to over $100 billion by 2030.

The festival which showcases the rich cultural heritage and endowments of the people of Ijebuland is celebrated every third day of Eid-el-Adha. The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Ojude Oba: Unity and Harmony, Our Gift”

She said the Presidential Renewed Hope Agenda, especially for the ministry demonstrated unwavering commitment to diversify the economy and move away from the country’s over-dependence on oil revenue.

In the same vein, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said that his administration is poised to make the Ojude-Oba festival a global event. According to the governor, the festival, which has become a tourist attraction, symbolises and reflects the collective unity of the Ijebu people known for hard work, perseverance, and industry.

He said: “Ojude-Oba festival is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland but has also 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.

“This festival serves as a symbol of our unity, tourism and a rallying point to all the Ijebu sons and daughters to celebrate the life and times of our tradition, our culture, and our revered monarch. It has become a catalyst for the development of Ijebuland.

“Our administration is deeply committed to supporting the initiative to make it a permanent event in the global tourism industry.” Abiodun, while thanking President Tinubu for showing interest in expanding the festival, especially with plans to include it in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage, said his administration would provide a conducive environment for business to thrive.

He said the festival provides an opportunity for the Ijebu people to take stock and project the future, adding that it is time to work together to build a virile state.

“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 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.