Oyo State to Herald 2025 in Grand Style with the Debut ‘Oyo Countdown’ Festival Across Three Senatorial Districts
Dr. Olatunbosun further affirmed the State Government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the culture and tourism sector in the state. “The administration of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, is committed to unlocking the vast cultural and tourism potential of Oyo State.
In a continued effort to enhance the tourism sector of the state and drive economic growth, leading entertainment and tourism production company, Naija Ninja Incorporated, in partnership with the Oyo State Government, is set to host the first-ever New Year’s Eve Countdown event to welcome 2025.
The festival will showcase the talent and creativity of local artists and performers from across the state.The Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, affirmed the state government’s support for the Festival, and expressed his excitement about the state’s partnership with Naija Ninja Incorporated for the innovative Oyo Countdown festival.
“This event is a testament to our government’s commitment to promoting tourism and developing the creative economy by leveraging the state’s cultural and creative assets for socio-economic growth,” said Dr. Olatunbosun. “Through this partnership, we aim not only to attract visitors but also to provide opportunities for local businesses and talents to flourish.” He added, “We believe that this New Year’s countdown will be a catalyst for growth and development in our state, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to join in the festivities.”
The administration has formulated a robust blueprint to drive the growth and development of this important sector, and we’re also collaborating with other stakeholders in the public and private sectors to develop tourist potentials across the state,” he stated.“To further boost tourism, we’ve organised the International Tourism Summit Oyo State (ITS Oyo State 2024), a two-day immersive event that brings together stakeholders to facilitate the growth and development of the sector.
Our goal is to position Oyo State as a leading cultural and tourism destination, and we’re making significant strides in achieving this objective.” Festival Director, Dare Fasasi, popularly known as Baba Dee, while sharing the Festival highlights, stated that Oyo Countdown 2025 will be preceded by a week-long series of creative and cultural activities.
These will include traditional oral chanting competitions, traditional and contemporary dance performances, music and DJ competitions, and a grand musical presentation on December 30th and 31st. Additionally, the event will feature food, drinks, and various leisure activities for attendees.
Fasasi also emphasised that the epic highlight of the event will be the countdown to the New Year, which will culminate in a breathtaking display of fireworks and lights to mark the arrival of 2025. “The debut Oyo Countdown will be an unforgettable fusion of fireworks, live musical concerts, dance performances, and various forms of entertainment to welcome the New Year in a grand style,” Fasasi stated.
“This unique event will be held simultaneously across three major locations in the state—Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Iseyin—creating an unparalleled experience for attendees.” Speaking on the tourism and socio-economic impact of the Festival, Fasasi, a respected Swedish-Nigerian-born movie director and dancehall artiste, further explained that Oyo Countdown is designed to not only explore the tourism potential of Oyo State but also to stimulate the creative industry, contributing to socio-economic growth.
“The Oyo Countdown is part of the Oyo State Government’s broader efforts to enhance the state’s tourism sector,” he said. “This event provides a platform for fun lovers and tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of larger cities. It offers a peaceful and vibrant destination to enjoy end-of-year celebrations in one of Nigeria’s most serene locations.”
The Project Director, Dare Fasasi, gaveacknowledgments to the State Government and expressed gratitude to Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for providing Ninja Naija Incorporated the opportunity to contribute to the development of the state’s creative and cultural assets by partnering with the state government to host the Oyo Countdown.
