*Restates commitment to cultural promotion activities in Yorubaland
Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has urged Governor Abdul Rahman Abdul Rasaq of Kwara State to make the Oya Grove in Ira a tourist destination that could add to the Internal Generated Revenue of the state.
Aare Adams added that Kwara State is blessed with many sites that can be transformed into a global tourists destination.
Speaking at the 2023 edition of Oya Festival held at Ira Grammar School, Kwara State, Iba Gani Adams maintained that the state government should construct a road leading to the grove, insisting that Oya remains the great deities and goddess of Yoruba race.
“Yoruba land is blessed with great ancestors, deities and goddess that are very important to the progress and development of the South-West.
“For instance,in Abeokuta, Ogun State, we have the Olumo Rock. In Osun State, we have Osun river goddess in Osogbo. In Oyo, we have the Oranmiyan and in Ibadan, there is Okebadan. In Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State we have Okota river goddess and several others.
“In Nigeria today, Osun Osogbo festival remains one of the most celebrated festivals in the country.
“We must commend the Osun State Government’s giant strides in renovating the Osun Osogbo groove. The new facelift of the groove is a good development that will help in boosting the state’s tourism potentials. And the state will be better for it.
“I am appealing to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq to work on giving the Oya groove a new look, making it retain the respect as an historical site.
“The Kwara State Government should create the myth that showcases the history and facts about Oya.
“Oya goddess is a global deity that needs to be rebranded and well-packaged.
“In Brazil, the popular Santos football club of the legendary Pele adopts Oya as their deity.
“Her image and myth can be seen around the Santos football Club stadium/Arena and every other historical places in Brazil.
“If Brazilians can appreciate our goddess and deity to that extent, it is a big challenge for us to come to terms with the spiritual importance and value of promoting our deities and ancestors”,he said.
In his remarks,the Onira of Ira,Oba Abdul Wahab Oyetoro, expressed great appreciation to the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Adams, for his efforts in pushing the Oya festival to the global state.
He added that efforts would be made to reposition the festival and make it the most celebrated in the town.
Oba Oyetoro, however,urged the Ira Progressive Union to work with Aare Gani Adams and his team in ensuring that the coming edition of Oya festival enjoy the best publicity and standard.
“We are happy that Aare is doing this in Ira.The most important thing for us is to support his efforts and we will do everything that is possible to support the initiative.
Meanwhile,the Guest lecturer, Abiodun From Kwara state college of Education,said Yoruba can only be liberated if they continue to promote the culture of the race.
While urging the Yoruba generallissimo to continue his cultural promotion activities,he stated further that Aare Gani Adams remains the torchbearer in cultural promotion activities across Yoruba land and beyond adding that the best the Yoruba could do is to support his activities.
Other royal fathers present at the event include the Arigbamu of Agbamu Kingdom Oba Olushola Dare,and members of the Ira Chiefs in Council,the National Executive Council (NEC)National Coordinating
Council (NCC) of the OPC and all prominent sons and daughters of Ira town.
