The Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa says the recognition of the Sango festival by the UNESCO is not just a milestone for Oyo State, the Yoruba people, and the Kingdom of Oyo but a victory for the entire nation of Nigeria.

She stated this at the grand finale of the 2024 World Sango Festival held at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo , in Oyo town.

While congratulating the entire Oyo community, for their dedication, passion, and relentless efforts towards ensuring that the legacy of Sango lives on, the Minister said the President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognizes the profound importance of cultural heritage in shaping our national identity and driving sustainable development.

The Minister said her Ministry would continue to collaborate with local communities, traditional leaders, and international partners to ensure that the nation’s cultural heritage thrives in the modern world, contributing to peace, unity, and sustainable development.

“It is only a source of pride but also a vital component of our creative economy, providing opportunities for economic growth, community development and tourism.

“In line with our Renewed Hope Agenda, let me reaffirm this administration’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage. We are determined to support initiatives that protect our traditions, encourage cultural expressions, and harness the power of our heritage for the benefit of all Nigerians.

On the occasion,the acting Governor of Oyo state,Chief Bayo Lawal reaffirmed the commitment of the Seyi- Makinde-led administration to enhancing the economy of the state through culture and tourism

He assured that the state government would lend stronger support to the Sango festival as a result of the international recognition it has received.

He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for supporting the cultural heritage of the country noting that the festival is in consonance with the constitutional requirement that freedom of worship is essential in the administration of the country.

Earlier,the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun expressed joy that the festival is now being recognized as one of the country’s heritages that must be observed internationally.

In her address, the Cultural Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo, Dr Paula Gomes, the Alaafin and Sango, which festival is celebrated in 42 countries lauded the tenacity of the late Alaafin whose efforts, she said, had yeilded fritful results

Dr Gomes emphasized the need for the development and growth of the Oyo community to enable it maintain and preserve the rich cultural heritage of oyoland

Son of the late Alaafin of oyo, who is a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing AFIJIO, Oyo East, Oyo West and Atiba federal constituency, Akeem Adeyemi expressed joy that the efforts of his late father, Lamidi Adeyemi at promoting the Sango Festival to gain internal recognition was not in vain.

He urged Yoruba sons and daughters of yorubaland within and in the diaspora to uphold and sustain the cultural values and traditions of the Yoruba race

This year’s World Sango Festival which comes with a lot of coloration, is the first to be held following its recent approval for inclusion in the UNESCO representative list for intangible Cultural heritage of humanity in December 2023