Take Ministry Of Culture From Lai Mohammed – Gani Adams Tells FG

The chief  promoter of  Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba (Dr) Gani Adams, has called on the Federal Government  to take the ministry of culture away from the office of the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and make it dependen

Adams observed that the present arrangement of fusing the ministry with ministry of information has caused serious retrogression to the sector and that the situation could get worse if not quickly arrested.

“The government should make ministry of culture independent. They should take it away from Alhaji Lai Mohammed because the arrangement is not working. If we are keen on promoting our culture, the government should as a matter of urgency make it independent and give it the necessary attention and funding that it deserves.”he said.

The national coordinator  of Odua Peoples Congress disclosed this in Lagos during a press conference held at Knight Bridge Hotel, Toyin Street, Ikeja, to announce the commencement of this year’s  Olokun Festival.

Speaking on the festival, he said: “The Olokun Festival Foundation  has become an important tourist and local attraction and this I i make bold to say ,  may not  be largely unconnected with the agility and efforts  of the organisers of the festival to sustain  in our people,  their  respect for deities.

It is our collective obligation as a people  to ensure that our culture is sustained and Olokun Foundation , through its annual celebration of Olokun Festival among other activities geared towards the promotion of our culture , has in a way, been breaking down the walls of  challenge posed by the fear of losing our culture to western education and imported faith that tend to undermine the growth and awareness of our people  around our culture.

 “It  therefore gladdens my heart to inform you that the programme continue on Tuesday, 4th of October, with a quiz competition, while the Olokun Beauty Pageant holds on Sunday, 8th of October.

Soccer enthusiasts would have the opportunity to savour an entertaining Beach Soccer match on Monday, 23rd of October. This will be followed by a Boat regatta on the morning of 25th of October,  as what has been tagged Olosa Gala Night will also  hold on the  night of the same day.”

 He further disclosed that: “The grand finale of  the ever entertaining and very competitive  Ayo Olopon and  Cultural Troupe display will round off activities  marking the festival for this year  on Thursday, the 26th of October.That same date will see us officially mentioning our new sets of Cultural Ambassadors.

I’m talking about well celebrated individuals carefully selected to be the face of Olokun Festival Foundation, they will be joining our first Ambassador Yomi Fash Lanso who has been a source of pride to the foundation. It is with great pleasure to announce the addition of ageless Toyin Adegbola, beautiful Fathia Balogun,cut across Doris Simeon,Wise Rammy Shitta Bay, experienced Lambert Dikeh and ever funny Mr. LatinWith the preparations made  so far by the organisers of the Olokun Festival,  I  believe  that with your usual cooperation, the 2017 edition  shall be a grand success.”

Adams used the opportunity to thank Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode for honouring the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo by erecting his state in the state. “I  like to thank the Lagos state government for the  honour done the Yoruba nation by immortalising  our adored, celebrated, forever -living leader and symbol of our struggle for a just and ideal society, Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose statue was erected at the LTV 8 end of Agidingbi Road, in Ikeja last week.

 “It is an honour well deserved and the government deserves   a huge commendation for this initiative.I will at this juncture implore those who have been criticising the features of the statue, to  rather focus on the laudable motive of the Lagos state government for  immortalising the late sage.