We intend reforming the creative sector – Adeleke

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed the determination of his administration to reform and expand the creative sector of the state economy covering tourism, entertainment and craft sub-sectors.

Governor Adeleke stated this at the grand finale of the 2024 Osun Osogbo festival held at the Osun Osogbo Groove. 

The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye said his Government is reforming and expanding various sectors of the economy as the creative sector is receiving special attention because of its potential to create jobs and boost Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

He said the government is supporting the private sector as the driver of the creative industry expansion agenda which would speed up the rejuvenation of the sector. 

Governor Adeleke maintained that the present administration is not relenting in its plans to make the state the first tourism destination within and outside the federation, stressing that Osun is the cradle of the Yoruba race, the host of key Yoruba cultural assets.

“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 the 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, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji for the successful hosting of the Osun Osogbo festival, expressing delight that annually, the event is attaining new heights in terms of planning and delivery.

In his remarks, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams advocated for a day to be set aside officially for the celebration of Yoruba tradition which would be a major boost to believers of the religion of the forebears.

Chief Adams appealed to the Ondo and Ekiti state governments to join their counterparts in the southwest region to celebrate the best of the culture and tradition stressing that four states in the southwest region including Osun, Ogun, Oyo, and even Lagos states have declared August 20 as Iseese day.

The Ata-Oja of Osogbo, in his remarks, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji,  thanked the Governor and his entourage for gracing the event, praying that they would gather to celebrate it with him again in 2025.

The grand finale of the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival ended with funfair and merriment at the site of the Osun-Osogbo groove with adherents of Osun from different parts of Nigeria and the world in Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State.

During the festival, Osun devotees, masquerades, traditionalists and royal fathers paid homage to the festival’s host, Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, at the groove.

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