Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured promoters of cultural events that the state government will partner with them in driving the cultural promotion initiatives of the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave this assurance while speaking at the just – concluded Olokun/Olosa Festival held in Badagry, Sanwo Olu, saying that the state government was ready to explore the tourism sector by using cultural events as template for cultural promotion.
The governor, who was represented by the Director – General, Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Idowu Johnson, however, applauded the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams’ zeal at sustaining the cultural promotion activities in the state and beyond.
“Lagos State government is ready to use all within its capacity to support any initiative that is geared towards driving cultural activities in the state.
“What Iba Gani Adams is doing with Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) is exactly what is needed at this time when Yoruba culture and tradition is dwindling.
“But I want to assure you all that the state will do everything to support this lofty initiative,” Sanwo-Olu assured.
Iba Adams, who is also the Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), in his remark, reiterated his call on the Federal Government to urgently diversify Nigeria’s economy, saying the country would continue to experience the same problem it was currently experiencing until it was restructured along regional lines.
“There is urgent need for complete overhauling of Nigeria’s structure,
and until Nigeria is restructured along regional lines by allowing the Federating units to operate at their own pace, Nigeria will continue to experience the same problems it is experiencing now.
“The Federal Government must diversify Nigeria’s economy in order to save the country from possible economic crisis that has been setting the nation backwards.
“The foundation of Nigeria’s structure is faulty. And we are yet to realize the fact that Nigeria is moving a step forward and three steps backwards.
“And until we restructure the country along regional lines by allowing the Federating units to operate at their own pace,Nigeria will continue to experience the same problems we experience today,” the Yoruba generalissimo stated.
Also speaking, the Akran of Badagry, Oba De Wheno Aholu Toyi represented by Oba Abiodun Whedoku Pativoh, expressed appreciation to Iba Adams for using cultural promotion activities like the Olokun Festival to boost the economy of the town during the festival.
“I appreciate Aare Gani Adams for using Olokun Festival to improve the economy of Badagry. Every year, he comes to Badagry with people in their thousands and by this, they inject several millions into the economy of the town.”
The Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi, urged the Lagos State government to support Iba Adams in his desire to step up the template of promoting Yoruba culture and traditions, saying doing that would go a long way in sustaining the cultural identity of Yoruba race.
“Let me appeal to the Lagos state government to support this worthy initiative as that will go a long way in sustaining the cultural identity of Yoruba race,” the monarch said.
Other monarchs that spoke at the event include the Onibereko of Ibereko Kingdom, Oba Isreal Adewale Okoya; the Aholu Henwa of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Sejiro Ogungbe James JP Okiki Arolagbade; the Alapa of Egun Awori, Apa Kingdom, Oba Oyekanmi Ajose, and other traditional rulers from Benin Republic.
Also in attendance were directors, Lagos State tate Council for Arts and Culture, Busola Odedina and her team; members of the Aare-In- Council, members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) National Executive Council (NEC) and National Coordinating Council (NCC) among others.
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