Governor Promises Expansion Of Sector As Osun Osogbo Festival Ends

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State in southwest Nigeria has vowed to expand the creative sector of the state for more development.

Adeleke made the declaration on Friday at the grand finale of the annual Osun Osogbo festival.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reform and expand the creative sector covering tourism, entertainment and craft sub-sectors.

He said: “Our Government is reforming and expanding various sectors of the economy. The creative industry is receiving special attention because of its potential as employers of labour and a booster of internally generated revenue.

“We are supporting the private sector as the driver of the creative sector expansion agenda. This will speed up the rejuvenation of the sector.

“We have huge potentials to tap into in the tourism sector. Osun is the cradle of Yoruba race, the host of key Yoruba cultural assets. We are not relenting in our plans to make Osun the first tourism destination within and outside the federation.”

Adeleke who recognized the positive socio-economic impact of the Osun Osogbo festival on the state, highlighted some of his administration’s interventions inside the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove.

“We are forging ahead with our support for the upgrade of the Osun Osogbo groove. Last year, we supported the organiser and managers of the site with rehabilitation of the arena. We backed up the cleaning of the stream. We are now looking at the rehabilitation of the internal roads within the groove”, the Governor noted in his address.

He congratulated the Ataoja of Osogbo Land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, for another successful hosting of the Osun Osogbo festival, expressing delight that the event annually attains new heights in terms of planning and delivery.

“Our best wishes to all adherents of the Osun Osogbo at home and abroad. We will continue to support all cultural festivals as a tool for local development and preservation of our tradition and culture”, the Governor said.

The Osun Osogbo festival is an annual celebration of the kindness of the Osun river goddess to its adherents the community at large.

It has become an international festival, celebrated to renew an abiding contract between the divine and humans.

Victoria Ibanga