Olojo Festival: Buhari Advocates Promotion Of Cultural Values

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

President Muhammad Buhari has contended that the culture of a people is their identity as it afford them due recognition.

Buhari made this known on Saturday during the 2019 Yoruba cultural festival in Ile-Ife (Olojo festival) held in at the palace of Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Represented by Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, President Buhari said people and culture are inseparable since there is no denial of the fact that what makes human society is its culture.

The president who said he was very glad to see how people of Ile-Ife , the cradle of Yoruba have been so personate and committed to the preservation of cultural heritage said for a society to be societal it must be cultural, saying society and culture are also intertwined

“The culture and tradition of a people are their identities as it affords them due recognition.

“It is their underlying distinguishing factor from other peoples and cultures. In fact, all societies across the globe have various and divergent cultures which they cherish and practice.

He therefore prayed God to continue to protect Ooni, his chiefs and entire people of Ife so as to be able to continue to promote and protect Yoruba cultural heritage.

Also Speaking, Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola congratulated the people of the ancient town for the success of this year festival.

Oyetola who was represented by his deputy, Mr Benedict Alabi described Olojo festival as significant because it affords Yoruba people to showcase their God given cultural heritage.

He said : ” Olojo festival is promoting our culture and tradition to the whole world. The festival has shown to the whole world that Yoruba culture is very reach.

The governor reiterated the present administration’s readiness to ensure that the state realise its aims of developing its culture.

“We are doing so much in the promotion of our culture and we will not relent. We want the people to have confidence in our ability to get things done and support us.

The Olojo Festival is a culture festival in the calendar of the Ile-Ife, Osun State which is located in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. It is the celebration of the remembrance of “Ogun”, god of Iron, who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba people. The festival is held annually

Present at this year Olojo festival are reprsentaive of Olubadan of Ibadan, Obi Eze Ngwu, Orangun of Oke-Ila, wife of former Governor of Ogun, Mrs Funsho Amosun, Speaker, Osun state house of Assembly,Hon Timothy Owoeye, cultural troupes from across Yoruba speaking States, traditionalists among other.