As part of the ongoing efforts to revive and promote arts and cultural values, Oyo State Government has expressed its intention to participate in the maiden celebration of the Ona Ara Cultural Festival tagged Ijala Festival.
The government made this known on Tuesday through the Commissioner for Information, Mass Mobilization, Arts and Culture, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun while hosting the planning committee members in his office.
He commended the executive officers of Ona Ara Development Forum led by Alhaji Kola Bolomope for their efforts to refine the invaluable arts and cultural heritage deposited in the area with the Ijala festival.
Ijala rendition, as known in Yoruba land, is a popular local poetry chanted by people to eulogize influential personalities at social functions.
Olatubosun expressed his joy for the coincidence of the cultural festival with the 50th anniversary of Agbekoya Peace Movement of Nigeria established in Ona-Ara for the safeguard of the Yoruba territories from internal oppressors and external aggressors.
According to him, the Ijala Festival, slated to hold between 17th and 19th October, 2019, would enable the government to discover hidden cultural traits among young people who would participate in the festival.
The Commissioner therefore pledged the commitment of his ministry to provide all the necessary supports including adequate publicity and media coverage to project all the highlights of the celebration to the world.
He therefore assured the traditionalists and culture ambassadors of the current administration’s readiness to utilise the arts, culture and tourism potentials of the state to boost its revenues.
