Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, have urged entrepreneurs to benefit from the various tourist centres in Ile-Ife.
They spoke at the unveiling of the Olojo Festival logo, which marks the beginning of the 2016 Olojo Festival, held at the the Palace on Friday.
Olojo is one of the oldest festivals in Ife and celebrated all over Yorubaland as Ogun, the god of iron, noted for creativity.
Aregbesola, who was represented by the Director General of the Office of Economic Development and Partnerships (OEDP), Dr. Charles Akinola, noted that entrepreneurs involvement was necessary for cultural renaissance and socio-economic development.
Explaining that Ile-Ife has no fewer than 12 tourists centres of international standards, he said many countries have generated revenue ranging from $20.2bn to $177.2 billion.
This is as Ooni called on the Federal Government to intensify investments in tourism, saying tourism was capable of bailing the country out of economic recession.
Ooni said, "What we are doing is indeed a new one, we have improved the branding and we want to show the landmark uniqueness of Ile-Ife as a tourist centre.
"Both government and private entrepreneurs should begin to use tourism for unity and economic development. Tourism is about movement. It is like a mandate that draws people from every part of the world.
"It will bail us out of economic recession. It is a product that will provide lasting solution to economic challenges in the country. We should not rely on downsize sector alone."
Aregbesola commemorated the view of the Ooni, noting that tourist centres in Ile-Ife were capable of making Osun one of the richest states in Nigeria.
The governor said, "There are at least 12 monuments and sites in Ile-Ife that are of international standard. We can tap into the Yoruba Diaspora population and make them come to Ife on an annual pilgrimage. If we get this right, this alone is enough to give Osun a buoyant economy and make her one of the richest in Nigeria.
"When these are developed and well marketed, they will generate jobs in arts and craft; tours guide; transportation services in airlines and taxicabs; hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts; and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, music venues and theatres.
"The state government already has a tourism masterplan and has been developing it within the possible financial circumstances. What is most important now is for entrepreneurs and those interested to partner with the government in order for our states and people to benefit from this tourism money-spinter."
Aregbesola, who commended the rebranding of the festival, explained that it was another way of promoting culture and the Olojo.
While describing Olojo as a famous of the festivals in Ile-Ife which echoes reverberate all over the world, he said, "It is proper therefore that it is being branded and presented in modern form. It is going to reinforce the notion of Ife as a foremost cultural centre.
"A human society is in a very profound sense of complex social relationships and interactions on the bases of common tradition, values, norms, language and world view. Culture separates one human group from another; it similarly distinguished humans from animals.
"Culture therefore is the capsule that houses the economic system, science and technology, behavioural pattern, beliefs and religion of a people."
He expressed concern that Nigerians were not tapping into the economic aspect of culture.
He added, "Beyond cultural projection, there is the economic imperative of culture foremost of which is tourism. We can build a thriving economy around our culture and monuments.
"Tourism is a silent money spinner that supports the economies of many nations. These nations include but not limited to: France, Egypt, Greece, United States, Spain, Italy, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Thailand and many island nations."
The Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, said the logo signified the commencement of the 2016 edition of the festival.
He added that it contained attributes of the Olojo Festival, the Aare sacred beaded crown, appearance of the new dawn - 'Ojo', Ile-Ife, the ori Olokun insignia, year 2016, colour purple and a red ribbon.
The Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, explained that "the Olojo Festival commemorates the descent of Oduduwa to Ile-ife is the celebration of the first dawn, the first afternoon and the first night in creation which is only celebrated in land of expansion, Ile-Ife.
"The appearance of the new dawn is what Olojo basically signifies as the day of creation and references can be sighted from evolution in science and the holy books - Quran and Bible where the creation of human existence started as cradle of mankind."
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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