Osun-Osogbo festival: Osun to become Nigeria’s top tourism destination – Gov Adeleke
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing the tourism sector in Osun State, citing the state’s rich cultural heritage as a major asset.
According to Governor Adeleke, Osun State being the cradle of the Yoruba race and host to key Yoruba cultural assets has huge potentials to tap into in the tourism sector.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye made the pledge at the grand finale of the 2024 Osun Osogbo festival held at the Osun-Osogbo groove.
He said that his administration is working tirelessly to make Osun the first choice tourism destination within and outside Nigeria.
He said, “We have huge potentials to tap into in the tourism sector. Osun is the cradle of Yoruba race, the host of key Yoruba cultural assets. We are not relenting in our plans to make Osun the first tourism destination within and outside the federation.
“Our Government is reforming and expanding various sectors of the economy. The creative industry is receiving special attention because of its potential as employers of labour and a booster of internally generated revenue.
“We are supporting the private sector as the driver of the creative sector expansion agenda. This will speed up the rejuvenation of the sector.
“We are forging ahead with our support for the upgrade of the Osun Osogbo groove. Last year, we supported the organiser and managers of the site with rehabilitation of the arena. We backed up the cleaning of the stream. We are now looking at the rehabilitation of the internal roads within the groove”, the Governor noted in his address.
He congratulated the Ataoja of Osogbo Land for another successful hosting of the Osun Osogbo festival, expressing delight that annually, the event is attaining new heights in term.of planning and delivery.
“Our best wishes to all adherents of the Osun Osogbo at home and abroad. We will continue to support all cultural festivals as a tool for local development and preservation of our tradition and culture”, the Governor noted.
