Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his commitment to creating an atmosphere for religious harmony in the State.

Governor Makinde stated this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Local Organizing Committee for the annual World Sango Oyo Festival, held at the Conference Room, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.

While inaugurating the committee, Makinde, who spoke through his Deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, noted that his Government would support every religion.

He assured the committee of maximum support and robust engagement with a view to making the festival more attractive to both the local and international communities.

He noted that as a mark of honour for traditional worshippers, the current administration had declared August 20 every year as a public holiday to celebrate Isese Day.

He said: “I thank all of you for working earnestly to achieve a common goal. The foundation of our living is our culture, our tradition. Even if you have been to Vatican City where the Pope lives several times, if you are black, you are still black. It does not change you from who you are.

“When we were campaigning, our people were hammering on Isese Day and we thank God that this administration and other administrations in the South West States of Nigeria declared August 20 of every year as Isese Day. This is an achievement for all of us.

“It is so gladdening that we have devotees of Sango here. We have Ogun worshippers. We have Yemoja worshippers. There are Laalu and Oya worshippers too. Osun worshippers too are here. I welcome all of you. This Government is for everybody. So, the Government will cater and look after everybody and religion.

“That is why the forthcoming Sango Festival will be embraced by this administration and we will give the Local Organising Committee necessary support.

“It is also gladdening to know that Sango Festival has been listed by the UNESCO, which has made it become a world-class festival.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, said, the World Sango Oyo Festival would commence on August 8, 2024, while the grand finale would be held on August 17, 2024 at Alaafin Palace, Oyo town, noting that, part of the activities earmarked for the festival is to propagate some of the works of the late Duro Ladipo, who was the founder of Sango promotion, with a symposium to be held in Ibadan.

He hinted that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has enlisted the Sango Oyo Festival in the lists of World Heritage which has ranked Oyo State as a giant in the tourism and culture industry.

Speaking, the Desk Officer, International Cultural Relations Department, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Niyi Emmanuel, thanked Governor Makinde for the opportunity to promote Sango festival and other cultural heritage in the State, pledging maximum support to the success of the programme.

The Co-Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, who is also the Cultural Ambassador to Alaafin of Oyo, Dr. Paula Gomez, said Sango festival has become a world heritage which is celebrated in 42 countries of the world, adding that the festival is a good potential for tourism, to increase revenue for the State.

While appreciating the State Government for promoting culture, she explained that different countries of the world are interested to come to Oyo town and participate in the festival as scheduled, noting that the event is not just for Sango but to showcase the rich history of Nigeria’s cultural diversity and the importance of cultural element to the world.

Ahead of the 2024 World Sango Festival in Oyo State, the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the State, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, on Tuesday inaugurated a ten-man organising committee.

In his opening remarks, the commissioner acknowledged the contributions of two key individuals: Mr. Emmanuel Odekanyin, who represented the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO Division) and International Cultural Relations Department, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Desk, and Dr. Paula Gomez, the Cultural Ambassador to Alaafin of Oyo. He expressed his appreciation for their effort in securing UNESCO’s approval for the World Sango Festival last year.

Recall that UNESCO recognition and inscription of the Sango Oyo Festival in the lists of World Heritage has ranked Oyo State as a giant in the tourism industry.

The next Sango Festival in Oyo Town, which will be held in August 2024, is expected to attract over 15,000 local and international tourists.

Olatubosun urged the committee to show respect to the memory of the founder of Sango promotion, Duro Ladipo, by including his family members in the planning process. He also emphasised the importance of attracting international audiences by ensuring the festival meets international standards.

He also counseled them to accord great respect to the Sango worshippers they will be interacting with and respect their culture.

The committee is headed by the general manager of the Cultural Center, Ibadan, Chief Mrs. Olayinka Adedeji, co-chaired by Dr. Gomes. The committee comprises stakeholders and officials of the ministry.

The commissioner tasked the committee with securing sponsorships, promoting the festival locally and within UNESCO member countries, finding a safe and appropriate venue, and identifying cost-effective solutions that enhance the festival’s value.

The festival will be a week long and some of the activities to be carried out include; a symposium with a distinguished speaker, various Sango performances, entertainment and parades.

The Organising committee of first International Tourism summit in Oyo State (#ITSOyoState 2024) has called for Governor’s Tourism award nominations

The awardees are to be recognized for their contributions to the State Tourism development at an award ceremony during the summit.

The two-day international summit is slated for International Conference center, University of Ibadan, between April 17 and 18, 2024.

The Governor’s Tourism Award ceremony, accordingly to Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, Chairman of ITSOyostate2024 Planning Committee, who doubles as the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, is to publicly acknowledge the contribution of individuals and facilities to the growth of the State’s tourism sector.

He said, “As we intend to take tourism in the State to a higher level, it is apt that we recognize those who, over the years, have contributed to the growth of the sector in the State. This, we believe, will challenge them to do more and encourage others to also contribute their own quota to the development of the sector.”

Speaking about the international tourism summit, Dr. Olatubosun said it is meant to showcase the State’s tourism endowments with a view to attracting investors who will develop them to global standards.

The awards come in seven categories. These are, Tourism Person of the Year, which is an award for the foremost driver of tourism in Oyo State.

The Special Contribution to Oyo State Tourism Award is for an individual or group that has made invaluable contributions towards the development of tourism in Oyo State. Five individuals/groups will win this award.

The Oyo State Tourism Ambassador goes to a creative person or group renowned for contributing to the growth of tourism in Oyo State. The award targets journalists, travel bloggers, skit makers and content creators whose activities support tourism.

The Oyo State Tourism Facility of the Year award is for a privately owned facility that attracts the most tourists in the State because of its state-of-the-art facilities, superb customer service and attention to environmental sustainability.

The Oyo State Tourism Destination of the Year award is for destination that receives some of the highest number of visitors/tourists in the year and gives the greatest visibility to tourism in Oyo State.

The Oyo State Emerging Tourist Site Award is for a new is tourism destination that attracts a high number of visitors/tourists in the year, thus giving greater visibility to tourism in the State.

The Oyo State Cultural Presentation Winner of the Year will be conferred on the zone with the best presentation during the opening ceremony of #ITSOyoState2024.

Those who wish to nominate individuals or facilities for any of the award categories are to visit

https://tourism.oyostate.gov.ng/itsoyostate2024/nomination-page/ to make their nomiantions.

At the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Monday, the Honourable Commissioner received the founder of a non-governmental organization, Ebunlobinrin Foundation, Hon Michael Olusanya Okoya alongside the eminent members as regards an upcoming event tagged- “AsaYan” to commemorate World Culture Day of May 21st.

A complimented effort and collaboration was assured by the Ministry, as sought by the foundation in their quest to support and promote the Yoruba culture both in tangible and intangible form, to prompt and i incorporate development in the Society.

The Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture has held auditions for new artistes, as it works towards the expansion and rebrand of the Oyo State Performing Troupe.

Speaking at the auditioning which took place today at the open space of the Cultural Centre, Mokola Ibadan, the Commissioner for the Ministry, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun stated that the rebranded performing troupe will promote Oyo State’s cultural heritage, norms and values thus projecting the State positively.

Olatubosun charged the auditionees on sacrificial resilience and unwavering determination to work with the visionary structure of the Ministry.

He further urged them to see the phase as an avenue to contribute meaningfully towards the progressive drive of culture and tourism development in the State; asserting that outstanding performances will surely be a source of revenue generation through public acceptability and recognition.

In her remarks, the General Manager, Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs Olayinka Adedeji admonished the participants to be good ambassadors of the Council and project the image of the State and bring their expertise to bear should they be successful at the auditions.

Youths and young adults turned out in their numbers for the auditions to display their talents ranging from praise poetry to oral poetry known as ‘Esa’ and ‘Ijala’ respectively. Others displayed singing, chanting, drumming and dancing skills.

Other special features included artistic musical performances, acrobatic display, dance drama, theatrical mimes and cross-cultural music presentation.

Panelists drawn from the Creative Industry conducted the auditions and chose the best candidates.

The panelists were Oriyomi Duro Ladipo, Biodun Adekanmbi, Christopher Abdul Onibasa and some directors of the Ministry.

The audition was birthed by a nine-member committee comprising Directors of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture as well as Creative Artists, chaired by Mr Adekunle Agboola.