Ijakadi Festival: Lai Mohammed hails revival of centuries-old festival, promises support
The Minister gave the assurance in Abuja on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the Offa Descendants Union (ODU), which came to formally invite him to the festival, scheduled for Offa 29 Dec. 2016, on behalf of the town's monarch.
He said the decision to revive the traditional wrestling festival, which dates back to the 14th century, is in line with the ongoing efforts by the present administration to leverage on the creative industries in the diversification of the nation's economy.
Alhaji Mohammed said the festival has the potentials to attract domestic and international tourists to Offa, thus impacting positively on the economy of the town and the state.
''We will provide the enabling environment for the festival, as well as similar ones across the country, to achieve their full potentials,'' the Minister said, adding that he was ''humbled and honoured'' to receive the delegation that was led by ODU President, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin.
While accepting the invitation to attend the festival, he commended the ''resilience, honour, principle and industry'' of the Offa people, saying the qualities are responsible for the uniqueness of the town.
Speaking earlier, the ODU President urged the federal government to support the festival to enable it achieve its full potentials and boost culture and tourism in the community as well as the entire Kwara State.
''We want the Ijakadi Festival to be included in the list of festivals being promoted by the Ministry because of its rich cultural content,'' said Alhaji Yasin, who noted that his delegation came to invite the Minister as a Special Guest of Honour.
While congratulating the Minister on the first anniversary of his assumption of office, the ODU President commended him for bringing to his new assignment the same passion with which he successfully carried out his responsibility as the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Ijakadi Festival, which was revived in 2012 after a three-decades lull, reinforces a tradition that encourages strength and determination, in addition to addressing the notion of equality among the indigenes of Offa.
Also on the ODU delegation were the 1st Vice President of ODU, Alhaji Bashir Adetokun Adepoju; the ODU Treasurer, Mrs. Mulikat Aliyu, and the ODU Secretary-General, Chief (Mrs) Wasilat Tinuke Macarthy,
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Isa Aremu Abdulkadir Jimoh Mustapha AbdulGaniyu Shagari Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye IEDPU Logun Samuel Olusegun Adedayo Ibrahim Abdulkadir Abikan Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria Salake Kwara State Council Of Chiefs Valsolar Consortium Kulende Salihu Alhaji Musa Iyeru Grammar School Forgo Battery Company Limited Senate Presidency Issa Manzuma Facemasks Abdulbaqi Jimoh Eleja Alfa Modibbo Belgore Saba Mamman Daniel Emir Of Lafiagi Asa Yusuf Zulu-Gambari Adamu Attah General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Ilorin Sadiq Umar Amusement Park Toyin Abdullahi Raimi Iyanda Oko-Olowo Yahya Mohammed Maigida Soludero Transit John Dara UNIFEMGA Modibo Kawu Arik Ministry Of Women Affairs And Social Development Kayode Zubair Ganmo Power Sub-Station Nigeria Governors\' Forum COEASU BECE Budo-Egba Yusuf A. Usman Alikinla Agor Market Shettima Of Ilorin Kale Belgore Abdulwahab Ololele Sarakite Babs Iwarere Yusuf Lawal Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye KWASSIP Ishak Mohammed Sabi Elesie Of Esie Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kwara State Fish Farmers Association Monthly Sanitation Exercise Dan-Kazeem Omu Aran Adebayo Salami CELF Ilorin Curfew Kayode Ishola Akume Ilorin Likeminds Foundation Modibbo Kawu Chief Imam Of Offa UITH Smart School Ibrahim Mashood Ajia-Bako

