Cultural festival goes beyond tourism, more of spiritual gains — Gani Adams

Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Land, Iba Gani Adams, has stated that the spiritual benefits inherent in staging cultural festivals far outweigh their tourism potential and the promotion of culture and traditions. He urged the Yoruba to engage in various cultural festivals to further develop the region.

Iba Adams made this assertion on Tuesday while speaking at an event titled “A Prayer to Almighty God,” which is part of the 2024 edition of the Olokun Festival, organized by the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF). The event took place at Oodua House in Ikeja, Lagos.

The OFF, led by Iba Adams, serves as the umbrella body for more than 20 traditional festivals and has consistently organized over 20 cultural and traditional festivals annually in the country since its establishment in 2002.

The event included prayers from Muslim and Christian clerics, as well as traditionalists, led by Khalifa Mohammed Sulaiman, Prophet Peter Oyewole, and Chief Olalekan Salaudeen, respectively. They delivered sermons and offered prayers for the success of the program, for Nigerians, and for the country in general.

According to the Yoruba generalissimo, cultural festivals provide spiritual benefits, asserting that they are not solely about tourism and cultural promotion. He cited examples to support his claim.

Adams recalled that the celebration of the Olokun festival began 22 years ago at Alpha Beach in Lekki, with the first two editions held there before it was moved to the ancient town of Badagry. He pointed out that the new location has continued to experience development through the spiritual blessings of Olokun, the river goddess.

He mentioned that the government has identified crude oil deposits in five different areas in the city. He also noted that former President Goodluck Jonathan endorsed the establishment of the largest seaport in the area during his administration. Adams called on the Federal Government to expedite the commencement of the project, which he said would create no fewer than 250,000 jobs upon completion.

“Olokun festival started at Alpha Beach, Lekki. We faced traffic issues for two years before moving to Badagry. When we arrived in Badagry, it was not yet an oil-producing area, but after 11 or 12 years of the Olokun festival in Badagry, crude oil has been discovered in five areas, in large quantities.

“The Federal Government is working on it. During our festival in Badagry, former President Goodluck Jonathan approved the establishment of the largest seaport, which would facilitate trade and enable marketers to conduct their businesses.

“The project was halted by Buhari upon taking office. If the seaport were completed, it would create nothing less than 250,000 jobs. Just imagine how many people in Lagos State would benefit from that project.

“So, we are appealing to the Federal Government to start work on the project. Badagry is a less developed zone; it needs development. You can’t find land on Lagos Island anymore,” the Yoruba generalissimo stated.

“Even in Epe, we have played a role there through other festivals. I can tell you authoritatively that after seven years of the Grandmother Festival, Epe started to develop.

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“Four years after the festival, Ambode was elected as governor of Lagos State and opened up the city; we contributed to that.

“So, cultural festivals offer spiritual benefits; they are not only about tourism or cultural promotion. There are significant spiritual gains from cultural festivals,” he added.

Speaking further, Iba Adams called on Yoruba Obas to be liberal regarding religions in their communities, stating that they should respect the adherents of Islam, Christianity, and traditional worship.

He urged them to refrain from what he termed the unwarranted attitude of criticizing traditional religion and their own traditional institutions, advocating instead for the promotion of Yoruba culture, traditions, and heritage “so that future generations will not lose focus on their roots.”

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“And we appeal to our kings to be liberal about religion in their communities. Obas should act as custodians of the three religions in their areas. Even if you are a Muslim, you must respect Christians and traditional worshipers, who are your own people as traditional rulers.

“The role of an Oba is to protect traditional institutions. It is unfortunate that some Obas criticize traditional religion and their own institutions.

 

“We are appealing to them to refrain from this unwarranted attitude; they should instead promote our culture and traditions, enhancing our heritage so that future generations will not lose sight of where they come from,” Adams admonished.

Also speaking, Barr. Yinka Oguntimehin, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the Anniversary and Asoju Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Land, noted in his opening remarks that significant achievements have been made for the country since the Olokun festival was initiated by OFF 22 years ago. He expressed confidence that this year’s celebration would be more joyful, rewarding, and glamorous.

Oguntimehin disclosed that the group has propagated Yoruba culture and traditions worldwide, mentioning that a surprise package would be announced later during the festival.

The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Parakoyi Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Land, Prof. Kolawole Raheem; Bareejiro Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Dauda Asikolaye; Akinrogun Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Kazeem Hamzat; Yeye Opeluwa Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba Land, (Mrs.) Esther Oyebola; Otun Baroyin Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Land, Chief Segun Ajiboye; and Akinluwa Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Olawale Mann.

Others in attendance included Chief (Mrs.) Talabi, Chief Taiwo Falana, Ambassador Olugbenga Onasanya, Comrade Kehinde Aderemi, and members of the National Executive Council (NEC) and National Coordinating Council (NCC), among others.

The Oodua Band entertained guests with various spiritual songs.