Oyo State Acting Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, has declared that the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is prepared to strengthen the promotion of culture and tourism to achieve his vision for an expanded and diversified economy in the state.

Barr. Lawal stated this on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 2024 World Sango Festival held at the Festival Arena, Aafin Oyo, Oyo, Oyo State, noting that the designation of the festival as a UNESCO Heritage was a great achievement for the state.

He maintained that the state government would continue to support religious harmony and peace as well as promote tradition and cultural heritage that bind the people together.

According to him, the Sango Festival will continue to gain recognition because culture and tourism are intertwined and related, explaining that though Sango is a Yoruba god and the traditional worship of the god is part of Yoruba culture, the tourism value of the festival cannot be overstated.

He said: “I am delighted because today’s event is a fulfillment of the promises that Governor Makinde made in 2023 when we were campaigning for a second term in office.

“Wherever we went, he gave committed assurances that our culture would be lifted to higher heights. And today’s event is the manifestation of that commitment. So, I am happy.

“Again, I need to remind us that we also made a commitment that, like many other religions in Nigeria, we would declare the Isese Day and I am happy we have fulfilled that promise. Indeed, next Tuesday, August 20, has been declared as Isese Day and a holiday has been declared to that effect.

“Today’s event is to mark the World Sango Festival. As you know that Sango is and was one of our leading spiritual gods. He was an Alaafin in Oyo Kingdom and he became a god, who is being worshipped by many adherents to date.

That has become an important part of our culture.“But, fundamentally, you will agree with me that culture and tourism are intertwined and interrelated and what we are doing today is an encapsulation of culture and tourism. The benefit of this event is that it adds more to our revenue generation drive; adds fun to our environment and tells us about history and our culture.

“We are happy that UNESCO has recognised the Sango Festival as part of the heritage that must be protected and observed. And, to this end, Oyo State will lend stronger support to that recognition. Whatever is required to lift this culture higher, the Governor Makinde-led administration is ever prepared to do it.

“We know that for us to have distinguished personalities such as the Minister of Culture, Ambassadors of various countries and other top Diplomats among us this afternoon eloquently tells the history that Sango is one of the recognised gods worldwide.”

The Acting Governor equally commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment and support towards promoting cultural heritage as part of individual’s constitutional rights to freedom of worship.

Delivering her speech, the Honourable Minister for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musawa, affirmed that President Tinubu administration’s remained committed to safeguarding and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

She noted that the government is “determined to support initiatives that protect traditions, encourage cultural expressions, and harness the power of our heritage for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

She also assured the Oyo State Government of her Ministry’s support for the laudable initiatives, as she appreciated Yoruba race for promoting cultural heritage.

The Minister said: “This recognition by UNESCO is not just a milestone for Oyo State, the Yoruba people, and the Kingdom of Oyo but a victory for Nigeria.

“It affirms my Ministry’s commitment to the global significance of our rich traditions, our stories, our values, and our way of life. This tells the world that the Sango Festival is not just an event, but a living testament to the vibrancy and resilience of our culture.

“As we bask in the glory of this global acknowledgment, I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Oyo community, the custodians of this remarkable heritage. Your dedication, passion, and relentless efforts have ensured that the legacy of Sango lives on, passed from generation to generation, unbroken and unblemished.”

In his goodwill message, the representative of the Diplomatic Community, His Excellency, Ambassador of Portugal, Mr Paulo Santos, reiterated the impact of the festival as it gained global recognition, assuring of more support through diplomatic communities.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, described the 2024 World Sango Festival as first of its kind and the most distinctive expression of the larger heritage of the Yoruba race with a cultural manifestation that cuts across the globe.

He acknowledged the effort of the UNESCO for recognising and supporting the sustainability of the veritable World Sango Festival Heritage of Humanity in December 2023, which it noted, has been serving as a means and pedestal for fostering unity amongst the adherents and the generality of the community.

Olatunbosun added that the success of the festival is also a testament to the fact that Governor Makinde’s administration has fulfilled the need to use culture and tourism to drive the growth of the state’s economy under Omituntun 2.0.

Also in her remarks, the Cultural Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo, Dr Paula Gomez, thanked the Oyo State Government, the people of Oyo, the Oyo traditional religion adherents, the traditional council in Oyo, corporate bodies and relevant stakeholders for supporting, upholding and preserving the cultural heritage, which is celebrated in 42 countries of the world.

The event had in attendance Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Santos; Consular, Embassy of Portugal in Nigeria, Ms. Cunha Johana Prata; Diplomats from Spain, Brazil, Cuba, among others as well as the Member representing Oyo East, Oyo West, Afijio and Atiba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi.

On the entourage of the Acting Governor were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor, Hon. Fola Oyekunle; Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, his counterpart in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Soliu Adelabu and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Homeland Security, Mr Segun Adegoke.