OBATALA FESTIVAL 2015
OBATALA FESTIVAL: Adams, Monarchs harp on the role of Cultural promotion to community development:
The National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress , Otunba Gani Adams and some raditional rulers in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State have emphasized importance cultural promotion as a means of enhancing growth in rural community. .
Adams. and the monarchs in their separate remarks at the 2015edition of the Obatala Festival , which took place in Igangan in Oyo State appealed to governments and individuals to dedicate more efforts to cultural promotion
The Oodua Progressive Union founder in his remark at the occasion , emphasized the importance of promoting cultural events. and other tourism programme to some of the underdeveloped communities in Nigeria .
The Olokun Festival Foundation’s chief promoter also stated that the tourism potentials of these towns are so huge that they can attract foreigners but the refusal of Nigerians to tap into the potential has been an obstacle
Adams said ” . the celebration of festival in honour and to pay homage to Yoruba gods and goddesses is the Olokun Festival Foundation’s way of contributing to the growth and development of tourism as a potential and unexplored alternative revenue earner that can accentuate our common quest for economic development
The OPC chief also added that ” religious tourism , whether within or across state or national boundaries, is an important economic developer that Nigeria has over a long time failed to recognize ”
” Religious tourism offer huge tourism potential to economic patronage and development. . Each time our people travel outside the country for religion pilgrimage , they assist the economic development of their countries of their destination” the OPU founder said
Adams. , while speaking on the deity itself , described Obatala as the most senior Orisa, the King of white clothing. He’s the image of Eledumare on Earth. He is maker, sculptor and the one who deals in choice clay. Obatala is Eledumare’s representative on earth and the moulder or the creator of human bodies, which were brought to life by Eledumare’s breath. Obatala is the father of all Orishas, the owner of all Ori (Destiny)
The monarch of Igangan town , Oba Lasisi Adeoye while speaking at the occasion commended the organizers of the festival for what he described as” a foresight to the future development of some towns ”
Oba Adeoye appealed to government, private institutions and individuals to emulate Gani Adams in celebrating the culture and tradition of the people of Nigeria, noting that such celebration will ginger economic and other developments. .
Oba Emmenual Okeniyi , the monarch of Ayete also identified the role of cultural promotion in rural communities to engender social ,economic and even political development .
Dignitaries at the event include : Oba Rafiu Mustapha , the Onijo of Oke Iho , Oba Fasasi Jimoh , the Onisaganwu of Saganwu , Oba Aderoju Onikola , the. Onidere of Idere land , Oba Sameul Adeleye ,amongst others