The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege 111, has inaugurated a 15-man committee on Ogbomoso Culture and Tourism Carnival.
The carnival, which is aimed at promoting domestic tourism as well as attracting tourists to the ancient city is scheduled to hold in December 2024.
Inaugurating the committee at his palace, the paramount ruler of Ogbomosoland said the committee is saddled with the responsibility of planning and executing comprehensive events and activities that will contribute to the socio-economic development, promoting cultural enrichment as well as attracting local and foreign tourists to the historical city.
The monarch added that the development is part of his 25-year development plan which aimed at transforming Ogbomosoland into a model city.
The committee is headed by Prince Williams Adeleye, a former Special Assistant to the President on Media; also has Hon Segun Dokun Odebunmi; Bashorun Akinwole Akinwale; Prince Dotun Oyelade; Oyo state Commissioner of Information, Hon Bisi Oluranti Michael; Dr. Oladejo Akanni; Olori Nike Olugbodi; Mr. Kareem Adebayo; Mrs Fisayo Alabi; Engineer Tunde Ige; Prince Samuel Oyebamiji Bolanta; Mrs Janet Akintoyinbo; Mrs Victoria Mosun Olojede; and others.
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In his remark, the chairman of the committee, Mr Williams Adeleye said, “Ogbomosoland is endowed with unique and rich cultural heritage that, if fully harnessed, has the potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of the city. There is virtually no family compound in Ogbomosoland, from my little research, that has no unique tradition – be it Egungun; deity, ijala, Oroo, etc. Even Soun’s palace is a repository of a tourist site.
“In the creative industry, Ogbomoso men and women, old and young, are making their marks, making Ogbomoso proud in the money-spinning industry. Talk of Baba Lere Paimo (Ogbori elemoso), Kolawole Ajeyemi, Kunle Afolabi, 9ice, Laolu Gbenjo, and Dunsin Oyekan to mention a few, are notable faces in the Nigerian creative industry. Our food, amala and gbegiri, eko yangan (Pap), bean snacks (Akara Ogbomoso), as well as our unique agricultural products ( mangoro ogbomoso, cassava and cashew), are much sought after by people from other towns and cities across the country and in the diaspora.”
“Organising cultural and tourism such as the one conceived by our revered King has the potential of attracting local and foreign investors to tap into the inherent agricultural value chain thereby creating jobs and stimulating increased economic activities in our land.”
While assuring Oba Olaoye of the committee’s commitment to the event, Adeleye said ” Let me assure Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty, of the determination of all members of this committee to work assiduously for the success of the first Ogbomoso culture and tourism festival. We shall give our all, leveraging on our expertise, contacts with relevant culture and tourism institutions in Nigeria, the private sector, and deploy available resources to make this event memorable”.
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