Osun-Osogbo Festival Ends With Funfair

-As Adeleke Reiterates Commitment To Reform Creative Sector

The grand finale of the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival ended on Friday, August 9, with funfair and merriment at the site of the Osun-Osogbo groove in Osogbo, 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.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who spoke with journalists on the sideline of the festival, reaffirmed the determination of his administration to reform and expand the creative sector of the state economy covering tourism, entertainment and craft sub-sectors.

The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye said government is reforming and expanding various sectors of the economy.

He further said: “The creative industry is receiving special attention because of its potential as employers of labour and a booster of internally generated revenue.

“ We are supporting the private sector as the driver of the creative sector expansion agenda. This will speed up the rejuvenation of the sector.

“ We have huge potentials to tap into in the tourism sector. Osun is the cradle of Yoruba race, the host of key Yoruba cultural assets. We are not relenting in our plans to make Osun the first tourism destination within and outside the federation.

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

“ Our best wishes to all adherents of the Osun Osogbo at home and abroad. We will continue to support all cultural festivals as a tool for local development and preservation of our tradition and culture”, the Governor noted.

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