In his determination to enhance development of culture and tourism, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orumogege III) last Saturday inaugurated a 15-man committee to organise a benefiting ‘Tourism Carnival’ to showcase the culture and tradition of Ogbomoso.
Aimed at promoting domestic tourism and attracting tourists to the ancient city, the maiden edition of the carnival is scheduled for December 2024.
According Oba Olaoye, the planned carnival is part of his 25-year development plan, aimed at transforming Ogbomosoland into a model city.
During the inauguration at the palace, the Soun of Ogbomoso saddled the Committee with the responsibility of planning and executing comprehensive events and activities that would contribute to the socio-economic development, promoting cultural enrichment and attracting local and foreign tourists to the historical city.
The Planning Committee is headed by a former Special Assistant to the President on Media, Prince Williams Adeleye.
Members of the committee are Hon Segun Dokun Odebunmi, Bashorun Akinwole Akinwale, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Oyo State Commissioner for Information; Hon Bisi Oluranti Michael, Dr Oladejo Akanni, Olori Nike Olugbodi, Hon Bisi Oluranti Micheal, Mr Kareem Adebayo, Mrs Fisayo Alabi and Engineer Tunde Ige. Others include Prince Samuel Oyebamiji Bolanta, Mrs Janet Akintoyinbo, and Mrs Victoria Mosun Olojede.
Responding shortly after the inauguration, the committee chairman, 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,, unsin 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 sort 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 agriculral value chain thereby creating jobs and stimulating increase 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, private sector, and deploy available resources to make this event memorable.
