By Demola Akinyemi Ilorin
Cross section of Stakeholders have resolved that governments at all levels can realise unquantifiable source of income in the cultural sector noting that importance of culture to foreign earnings and economic development cannot be overemphasized.
The Olofa of Offa kingdom, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, and other stakeholders said this recently at the annual Two-day annual event IJAKADI festival organised by Offa Descendants Union(ODU) at the King’s palace in Offa.
The monarch said if cultural heritage and traditions are well and carefully remodeled,it “could be another source of income for the state and federal governments.”
Oloffa further told newsmen in his palace that culture can be added to the lists of business: “provided it enjoys due and unfettered support and push from governments at all levels.”
The Olofa also described the year’s celebration as more beautiful than last years.
He further craved government’s support to the yearly event as well as urged Offa indigenes home and in the diaspora to regard the annual event a must to attend.
“I want my people to always attend the annual event with possessed grace and flamboyance.
” We want to see you at home while you are alive. Offa is not a cemetery they bring you for burial, please come home from anywhere you are, come and identify with your community,” the monarch urged.
Representing the governor, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, said, culture is a dying aspect of human life.
She disclosed that the state government has been on a ceaseless revival of culture in the state with the constant support of Ijakadi.
“The Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s decision to repair the township stadium the usual venue of this yearly project is another testimony to his love for culture,” she informed.
Also speaking at the event , the Chairman media, publicity, marketing and sponsorship, Waheed Olagunju, who explained the essence of the annual rite, described culture as a special way of life, saying: “It’s use and relevance to the modern day remodelling can not be over emphasised.”
He, however, charged: “what business can we bring out of culture and how can we generate money should be an utmost consideration by the federal government, we can open business with cultural advancement.”he stressed.
Comrade Lukman Afolabi, a cultural enthusiast and Director, Biohistocultural Resource Hub, said: “Ijakadi festival is symbolic as it represents fairness, justice and equity.”
According to him: “It is one of the town’s totem. The two Ijakadi wrestlers started from a fair and equal positions of strength.
“Also, the cutting of yam into two equal halves by blindfolding one of Oba Olofa Chief, Odofa , is similar to symbol of Justice of a bindfolded women holding two swords in the two hands.
“There is need to package Ijakadi well to gain the UNESCO recognition and meet the African union’s vision 2063 challenges for every Community to protect it’s heritage and build shared values with deliberate actions, shared responsibility and sustained investment in the traditions that define it’s identity,” the Kwara State chairman Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) prayed.
In his contributions, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Marble capital, Abdulhakeem Oyewale said the weekend’s event was a brazen display of Offa as a force to reckon with in Yorubaland.
According to him, “government can generate substantial income from this project,” adding that, in five years time: “it is going to be mind blowing, people will come from far and near to grace Ijakadi festival.”
The event was toned with plays about the origin of Offa, Ijakadi, fashion and beauty contests as well as a show on Moremi Ajansoro, put up by TAPAN, Offa branch.
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