NAN-H-43
Tourism
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Aug. 16, 2017 (NAN) The Osun Government has set machinery in motion to develop all the tourist sites and festivals in the state to boost it tourism potential and attract tourists.
Mrs Taiwo Oluga, the Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola said this in a press statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Oluga said that the state is blessed with cultural potential such as cultural festivals, natural tourist sites, cuisine, arts and craft as well as an enigmatic landscape.
“Popular among the various festivals in the State of Osun are the Olojo Festival, Iwude Ijesa, Egungun Festival, Ayan (Drummers) Festival, Oke-Itase (World Ifa Day) Ogiyan Festival, and the internationally acclaimed Osun Osogbo Festival which we are celebrating now.
“The Government of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has given proper attention to tourism sector through the establishment of the Office of Culture and Tourism, Osun Tourism Board, Osun Tourism Authority and Osun Council for Arts and Culture.
“They are all saddled with the task of developing, promoting, marketing and protecting all tourist assets in the State.
“Steps are already being taken to give the tourist sites a facelift,’’ she said.
The sites are Olumirin Waterfalls, Erin Ijesa, Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls, Oke-Ila, Osun Osogbo Grove, Oduduwa Grove, Ile-Ife and others. They are classical examples of tourist sites that now attract national and international tourists,’’ Oluga said.
She said that government’s interest in developing tourism was not just to increase revenue generation, adding that “government is sincerely interested in protecting and preserving the cultural heritage and values.’’
Oluga, however, appealed to the Yoruba race to stop seeing their cultural heritage, ethics and values, religion, festivals, arts and crafts as fetish or devilish.
“Rather our God-given cultural assets should be seen as robust inheritance that other nations are jealous of and may wish to acquire if we forsake them.
“As we celebrate this year’s Osun Osogbo Festival, let us have it in mind that the festival is now being embraced by a broad spectrum of visitors from across the globe.
“We enjoined all participants to observe only those aspects of the festival for which they are allowed and leave others to the devotees,’’ she said.
Oluga appreciated the state government for the facelift given to the expressway from Olaiya junction to the grove to enhance the tourist potential of the Osun Osogbo Festival.
She expressed appreciation to the Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc for identifying with the state for the annual celebration over the years, especially in the austere time.
“Participants at this year’s festival are encouraged to enjoy the variety of social activities being organised across the peaceful city of Osogbo.
“They should also remember to take home with them the beautiful adire, batik and other souvenirs and memorabilia that make Osun Osogbo festival both a unique and exciting Yoruba World Heritage.’’ (NAN)
CMY/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf