Mohammed Shosanya
Ogun state governor,Dapo Abiodun,says the Ojude Oba festival was a unifying factor to the entire Ijebuland.
The festival has also brought about the cultural values of Ijebu people,he said in his comment at this year’s Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.
He also said:“It is an opportunity to display our hospitality to the world. It promotes our tourism sector. We are going to look at having a state-owned festival like this which will bring overall growth to the state.”
Also speaking,the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, maintained thatbthr festival remained a boost to tourism development in the country.
He commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for bringing investors to the state through the festival.
He said: “Today marks a new brand for the entire Ijebu people both at home and the Diaspora. Ojude Oba has become a brand of developing culture and tourism in Nigeria.
The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona,in his remarks, called also hailed the governor in showcasing the festival to the wider world and urged him to repair the bad roads within Ijebuland.
He added:“I pray God would grant the governor good health to continue to bring more dividends of democracy to every nook and cranny of the state. Ijebu has never failed and we will not fail, this will not be our last celebration. Other states should take a cue from Ogun State that has a museum right inside the palace; it’s a unique thing that has happened to the state. The museum is of international standard.”
Speaking,the special guest of honour, Dr Clement Okeowo,implored the Federal government to fix the remaining portion of the Sagamu–Benin Expressway, especially the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode axis.
