The Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun has said that the much anticipated World Oyo Egungun-Fuji-Amala Festival will hold on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
The Commissioner said that the cultural event tagged “Our Culture, Our Heritage”, is aimed at expanding the state’s economy through cultural tourism.
Dr. Olatunbosun noted that the festival will hold at the Race Course, Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
The Commissioner also stated that the festival will be a rich package of the cultural potential and heritage of the state and is intended to attract both local and foreign tourists for investment opportunities in line with the vision of the state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde.
He maintained that the festival, which is first of its kind in the South-West, will equally create a platform to showcase and promote talented upcoming cultural artistes in the Fuji and Apala music genres.
According to him, masquerades hold deep historical significance, embodying the spirit of resilience and unity, which defines the state’s identity and is a testament to the enduring legacy of Oyo’s traditions, while the state also produced Fuji greats, including the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Iyanda Sawaba, Rasheed Ayinde Merenge, Abass Akande Obesere, Saheed Osupa and Taye Currency, to mention a few.
He added that the Egungun/Fuji/Amala Festival aligned with Governor Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 agenda, which has incorporated tourism for the expansion of Oyo State’s economy.
Dr. Olatunbosun said that the event will feature major masquerades offering a dynamic showcase of culture and dance, as well as music, and a savoury flavour of Amala with gbegiri, Eko and moinmoin cuisines.
The commissioner also stated that the Makinde-led administration, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has been working towards ensuring that the festival is enlisted by UNESCO just like the World Sango Festival, as it has been packaged with good contents through rich cultural heritage and preservation of tradition for coming generations.
