The Federal Government has announced plans to list the annual Ojude Oba Festival in Ogun State as one of the festivals backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Creative Economy,  Hannatu Musa-Musawa, said this at the 2024 edition of the festival at Awujale’s pavilion in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

The minister, who was represented by the Director of Cultural Agencies and Heritage, Dr Ben Ugo Anama, noted that the annual festival was in tune with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

Musa-Musawa said the mandate of the ministry was to make revenue generation from tourism to be over $100 billion by 2030.

She described the annual festival as a platform for fostering the unity of the country as well as one of the country’s tourism potentialities.

Abiodun: My govt’ll sustain infrastructural transformation in Ogun

Musa-Musawa said it could be tapped into to diversify the economy from oil and generate more resources in the nation.

She noted that in line with President Tinubu’s agenda, the ministry would always collaborate with stakeholders to promote, preserve, and protect the rich cultural heritage of our nation.

The minister added that the ministry would ensure it reached its enviable height according to the vision for the ministry tagged “Destination 2030”.

She said: “This vision considers the potentialities in arts, culture and creative economy, in terms of its ability to create economic expansion.

“Our ambitious goals are predicated on this drive, which is capable of yielding billions and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by year 2030.”

Also speaking at the event, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun commended Ojude Oba and described it as a festival that has given Ijebuland and the people of the state a distinct identity.

Abiodun said the festival has also become a catalyst for the development of Ijebuland, noting that this underscored the essence of preserving the rich cultural heritage.

The governor, while rejoicing with the people of Ijebuland over this year’s celebration, promised to partner with the federal government to develop the festival and make it a global tourist attraction and destination.

The Star