Tourism: Oyo Government Advocates Unified Egungun Festival
Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan
The Oyo State Government has met with Egungun worshipers (Alagbaas) and other stakeholders, to set aside a day in the year for a uniform celebration of the Egungun Festival to boost the tourism sector in the state.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Thursday, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the new move was part of the present administration’s bid to set the tone for harnessing tourism and culture in Oyo State under Omituntun 2.0.
Speaking with the stakeholders, Olatubosun noted that tourism had become a focal point of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 Agenda, saying the grand Egungun Carnival would herald the commencement of various Egungun Festivals across Oyo State.
He explained that a unified date for the cultural festival would further promote the state’s culture and boost the tourism potential of the state, by bringing tourists from all over the world to witness the festival, asserting that the display by the various Egungun worshipers would make the celebrations more attractive to the tourists.
Olatunbosun stated: “Oyo State, being a Pacesetter State, would be hitting the ground running on this dignified cultural propagation and promotion, thus writing history for others to follow.”
The ‘Alagbaas’ in their response, unanimously agreed to the concept, promising to work in synergy with the Ministry and rally their members to give unwavering support towards achieving the desirable outcome, to make the concept a success.
The Egungun Festival is celebrated annually between June and July in Oyo State to pray for peace in the land and entertain the people in a peaceful and relaxed manner.
