Olofa of Offa urges FG, States to create virile institutional framework for diverse culture
Federal and state governments have been urged to establish a virile institutional framework to rejuvenate the nation's diverse cultural values.
Speaking at the ninth edition of Ijakadi festival in the ancient town of Offa Offa local government area of Kwara state on Thursday, Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, and his chiefs said that cultural production is an important area for investment and a means of boosting cultural identity.
“More strategically, it aids the diversification of national and global economies. In most parts of the world, the cultural industry sector makes significant contributions to GDP. I believe that the many advantages derivable from cultural awareness, tapping and development should not be lost on government at both the state and the federal level”, he said.
Also speaking, the Asiwaju of Offa, Chief Tajudeen Owoyemi, said that the annual Ijakadi Festival, is a depiction of everything that Offa means, adding that, “it is those unique aspects that we thought we must preserve for generations yet unborn. It is the essence of our yearly Ijakadi Festival”.
In his speech, president of the Offa Descendants' Union (ODU), Alhaji Muideen Olaniyi Salako, appealed to the Kwara state government to
incorporate the annual ljakadi Festival as part of the state Ministry of Art, Culture and Tourism annual work plan and activities.
“If incorporated by the Kwara state government, it has a high potential of boosting the economy of Offa LGA and the state at large. This will also ensure sustainability and continuity of the ljakadi festival.
Furthermore, the venue of the grand finale of ljakadi has been Offa Stadium in the last few years and unfortunately, the proud stadium has been in deplorable state. Your excellency has shown interest to upgrade the stadium and the entire Offa people, are looking forward to the actualization of this upgrade soonest.
“We are seizing this opportunity to thank His Excellency for all your good work, programmes and unmatched developmental projects and progress in the state. Offa people are greatly indebted to you for your consideration and love for our dear town Offa”.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state, who was represented by commissioner for Energy, Alhaji AbdulWahab Femi Agbaje, described Ijakadi festival as a celebration of culture and rich heritage of a unique community of valiant people, saying that his administration would continue to identify with and promote rich cultures in the state as a strategy to keep the legacies of forebears evergreen.
“Offa people are hard working, brave, and self-reliant. Offa people are self-driven. These are the great qualities that continue to define you and your place in not just Kwara State but Nigeria as a whole.
“Our administration identifies with the rich culture of our peoples — from the Durbar in Ilorin, Awon in Shao, Ganni in Batonu speaking areas of Kwara North, Regatta in Nupe speaking axis, and Ijakadi Festival here in Offa, among many others. These are rich traditions which speak to the histories and aspirations of our peoples”.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Fatimat Saliu Abubakar Abdullahi Bata Oniwasi Agbaye Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf Olatunji Ibrahim Lukman Adeloyin Assayomo International Aviation College 07039448763 Abdulganiyu Salahudeen Belgore Abubakar Suleiman Shaykh Luqman Jimoh Kulende-UITH Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan Veterinary Teaching Hospital Olatunji Ayeni Femi Agbaje Bolaji Aladie Aminu Adisa Logun Amule Elementary School Sayomi Akanbi-Oke Ilorin West Maja Abdulwaheed Musa Irepodun Alaro Cornelius Fawenu Ariyo Theophilus Oyebiyi Kwara State Geographic Information Service Abdullateef Abdussalam Mansurat Amuda-Kannike Olomu Saheed Alakoso Oloye Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs David Oyerinola Adedunmoye Raliat Elelu-Habeeb Adesoye College Gbugbu Owode Market Ado Ibrahim Shonga Kayode Ishola Iyeru Grammar School ASMAU PLAZA Abiodun Musa Aibinu Sarkin Malamai CCEPE Raji AbdulRasaq Alfa Belgore James Ayeni 2023 Elections Ishaq Oloyede Yeketi Muhammad-Mustapha Suleiman Bello Oyedepo Fatai Garuba Labaka Salaudeen Oyewale Awoye Adeniyi Ojo Wahab Agbaje PharmAccess Foundation Olaiya Lawal Turaki Of Ilorin Adeleke Ogungbe Wahab Issa Ishola Abdullahi Moshood Kashimawo Abiola Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria Olomu Of Omu-Aran Gwanara Alabe Government High School (GHS), Adeta

