The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, yesterday, urged the southwest governors to tackle the security challenges in the zone to provide enabling environment for tourism development.

Adams made the call in Osogbo, Osun State capital during the grand finale of the 2021 edition of Osun Osogbo Festival held at L’aaro Primary School, Asubiaro Area, Isale Osun, Osogbo.

He noted with dismay that the rising insecurity in the southwest has affected the tourism industry across the region. Adams said that with the various benefits inherent in the tourism sector, it has the potential to grow the southwest zone

“By tackling the security deficit across the region, our southwest governors could easily harness the tourism industry and make it a money-spinning venture

“Osun Osogbo festival is a brand on its own. Therefore, the Osun State government must upgrade the groove to an international standard as it is done in Brazil and other Caribbean countries,

“All the six governors in southwest have the capacity to promote the cultural festivals and heritage of their states. Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos states are blessed with different heritages and festivals,

“For instance, in Oyo, we have Oke’ba dan Festival. Iyake suspended lake is another blessing to the Oyo State government. In Ekiti, we have Ogun Onire festival. In Ondo, we have Okota festival. In Ogun, we have Olumo festival in Abeokuta and in Lagos, there is Eyo festival,” the Aareonakankanfo said.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, said Osogbo town was blessed with the Osun River goddess, declaring that the festival ranked among the best in the world.

The monarch urged the state government to reinvent the glory of the Osun Osogbo Festival by providing the support that is needed to make Osogbo the business hub of the state.

Oba Oyetunji insisted that Osun Osogbo festival remained the annual fiesta for tourism attraction, adding that the state was capable of sustaining culture, tradition and heritage

(The Guardian)