The Federal Government has expressed readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to harness the tourism potential of the annual Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, positioning it as a central feature in Nigeria’s growing creative economy.
According to DailyPost, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa, said this would increase economic growth, create jobs, and accelerate national prosperity.
She stated this on Sunday, while speaking at the 2025 Ojude Oba festival held at the Awujale pavilion, Ijebu Ode. Her words, “Recently, President Bola Tinubu announced a collaboration between the federal and subnationals whereby we will do a collaboration and partnership so that… we will also work with the private sector to tap into the unique peculiarities of every single state. “President Bola Tinubu is strongly committed to making us the greatest black nation on earth, to making us one of the strongest economies. One of the ways he wants to do it is for us to leverage and tap into the opportunities that abound in the cultural and creative landscape.
The Minister while stressing that Ojude Oba is a huge economic expansion, applauded the collaboration between the federal government and Ogun State. Speaking at the event, Gov Dapo Abiodun said ‘Ojude Oba is more than a festival, but a living heritage that connects us to our roots and offers direction for rapidly changing world. According to the governor, the global festival has evolved into a dynamic force for tourism, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship, and as such a true platform for fostering national cohesion, assuring that his administration will ensure that the festival’s expansion and development are not impeded.
The annual cultural celebration which holds three days after the celebration of Eid-del-Kabir provides opportunity for the people of Ijebu land, who are usually dressed in various beautiful attires to pay homage to the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona. DAILY POST reports that the highly revered 91-year old monarch was absent at the year’s celebration but was represented by his wife, Olori Kemi Adetona.
Dignitaries at this year’s celebration included the governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa represented by his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, Former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaib Salisu and the deputy governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele. Others were the wife of the state governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, the Asiwaju of Ijebu land and Chairman of Rite Foods, Alhaji Sulaiman Adegunwa, Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, Dr Sunny Kuku, Speaker of the state assembly, Daisi Elemide among others.
