Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

As part of efforts to promote culture and tourism infrastructure, Osun state government has created additional 40 festivals in order not to make culture go extinct.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Adebisi Obawale disclosed this during a joint stakeholders’ meeting.
He listed the additional festivals as Agri-tourism, Sports Tourism, Osun Yoruba Arts and Rural Tourism,Yoruba speaking extension project to mention but few which will go round a year in order to revive the dying culture.
Obawale described the state as a hub of culture and tourism in Nigeria which must be jointly developed as a tourist destination, not only for Yoruba people but for the whole of Africa.
In his presentation, Obawale mentained that, in terms of history, Osun is a place where every Yoruba can claim especially, Ile-Ife.
He added that, the map of Africa is naturally engraved on a rock at Oduduwa Grove in Ile Ife which makes Oduduwa a significant person in the African History.
He further stated that, Osun is the source of slave trade in Nigeria in which Apomu was the first slave market.
According to him “the State is planning to engrave the faces of some of the Yoruba legends on rocks that are located in different localities so that, the history of those legends will not go into extinction which will be a very good attraction for the State and Yoruba race at large.
He further disclosed that the State Government of Osun, under the administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola, is committed to building cultural and tourism Infrastructure which includes: Yoruba museum and World Heritage Centre which is to be cited in Ile Ife, Aragbiji Palace Museum, Healing Drums, Ogedengbe in Ilesha, Legends in Arts work, Owa Ooye of Oke Imesi, Ila Orangun Historical Museum, Gbongan Ancient palace and natural Museum, Ibodi ancient palace among others.
He therefore enjoined investors to key into the programmes set aside by Osun Government, assuring them of bountiful returns if they do.