The People of the ancient City of Offa in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, have concluded plans to upgrade the Ijakadi festival in Offa. In Offa Local Government Area of the state to a world class standard.
Speaking at the event by the Chairman and Publicity Sub- Committee of Ijakadi Festival Planning Committee, Dr Waheed Olagunju explained that the desire of Offa town was to leverage on the age-long festival to impact Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and boost local economy for the benefit of the natives of the community.
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Olagunju, who is the former acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry stated this at a media briefing to herald the festival slated to hold between 27th and 30th of December this year in Offa town.
According to him, their aspiration is to upgrade Ijakadi festival to a world class compared to what people see across the country and around the globe and to be able to attract interest of Nigerians from all nooks and crannies stressing that what they want to achieve is to reach people all over the world.
Addressing Journalists alongside the Lawmaker representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency of Offa Local Government in Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr David Olu’seun Ogunniyi; and former General Manager, Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara), Mr Abdullateef Adebowale Adedeji; the former acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry, described the festival as a veritable avenue to further open Offa town to visitors and investment opportunities with a view to empowering the people.
Olagunju disclosed that it is a festival that reinforces a tradition that abhors laziness and docility but encourages strength and determination, showcasing a culture that projects equality among the indigenes and between the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Mohammed Gbadamosi Esuwoye II and his subjects.
He disclosed that Offa is currently implementing 10 years development plan that was unveiled in 2022.
“In our development plan, we are building an industrial park. We have Offa Innovation Hub to stream the festival live. For us to be relevant in the world of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), we need to build the digital literacy of our people. It is part of what we are doing so that Offa town will not be left behind in digital skills”, he said.
Olagunju added that Offa is working with Federal Polytechnic, Offa to present value chain of sweet potato, which is replete with Offa adding that Offa people in the Diaspora are actively involved in the preparation for the festival.
The Chairman, Media and Publicity Subcommittee of the festival praised the Olofa of Offa, for reviving the cultural festival after almost three decades of lull and stated that the week – long programme for the 14th- century event will attract innovation and corporate presence.
The Lawmaker representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency of Offa Local Government, Ogunniyi, who also spoke said, “Our aspiration in Offa is to elevate the brand of Ijakadi festival”.
The Lawmaker requested the Federal Government to pull resources, financially and otherwise to make the event achieve it’s full potentialities.
Ogunniyi equally appealed to the Minister of Tourism , Lola Ade-John to support the Ijakadi Festival in putting all mechanisms in place to see that tourism in Kwara State gets the desired attention to attract patronage and investment to boost economic activities.
Ijakadi Festival was conceived to serve as a platform to encourage, reward stimulate and develop the practice of community, valours, courage heroism and determination in Offa land .
“Ijakadi I’ori Offa, “ is a Yoruba phrase, meaning ” Wrestling is a festival in Offa.
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