The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged the Ondo State Authorities and conventional rulers to harness the potential of cultural tourism as a catalyst for financial progress and improvement.
Adams made the decision on the 2026 version of the Okota Competition held on the Palace Sq., Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State.
He mentioned institutionalising the Okota Competition alongside different cultural festivals and heritage websites as main occasions may increase tourism, create jobs, stimulate the native financial system and place Ondo State as a number one cultural vacation spot in Nigeria and past.
In line with him, greater investment in cultural tourism may turn into an necessary software for driving socio-economic improvement throughout the state.
Adams mentioned: “Whereas the Okota Competition is primarily a religious celebration honouring the benevolent Okota river goddess — identified for her therapeutic powers and historic position throughout pre-colonial conflicts — it transcends spirituality by serving as a vibrant expression of Yoruba tradition, historical past, and unity.”
Drawing comparisons with the globally recognised Osun Osogbo Competition, the Aare Ona Kakanfo mentioned Okota Competition possesses the potential to turn into a serious image of cultural delight and tourism.
He famous that the annual celebration already attracts guests from completely different locations, offering financial alternatives for native merchants and hospitality suppliers.
Adams defined that actions surrounding the competition generate earnings, encourage entrepreneurship and contribute thousands and thousands of Naira to the economies of Arigidi-Akoko and Ondo State.
He consequently referred to as on governments throughout the Southwest to accentuate efforts in direction of creating and sustaining cultural heritage websites able to attracting vacationers from all over the world and stimulating improvement in host communities.
Adams additionally highlighted the position of conventional rulers as custodians of Yoruba tradition, urging them to actively protect and promote the heritage of their communities.
He appealed for unity amongst Yoruba folks, stressing that tradition stays elementary to identification and social cohesion and shouldn’t be deserted.
The Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, in the meantime, counseled Adams, the Olokun Competition Basis and members of the Oodua Folks’s Congress for his or her dedication to organising the Okota Competition yearly.
Olanipekun additionally referred to as for peaceable coexistence amongst indigenes and residents of Arigidi-Akoko, stressing that unity remained important to the progress and improvement of the neighborhood.
Chairman of the event, Prince Daniel Omolola, described the Okota Competition as a wealthy celebration of Arigidi-Akoko’s distinctive historical past and Yoruba tradition whereas commending the organisers for sustaining the occasion.
Omolola additionally urged little children of Akokoland, each at dwelling and in the Diaspora, to determine an annual cultural gathering just like the Ojude-Oba competition of the Ijebu folks.
He mentioned such an occasion may function a rallying level for Akokoland and supply a platform for advancing socio-cultural improvement throughout the area.
The Royal Father of the day, Oba Owa Ale of Ikare-Akoko, additionally described the annual Okota Competition as a lovely initiative and sought the assist of the Olokun Competition Basis to duplicate the same celebration in his area.
Oba Ale disclosed that discussions amongst conventional rulers of Akoko extraction have been already at a complicated stage in direction of organising cultural festivals inside their respective domains to advertise Yoruba tradition and custom whereas fostering religious and socio-economic progress.
By means of the Olokun Competition Basis, the Oodua Folks’s Congress celebrates greater than 24 festivals yearly throughout the Southwest as a part of efforts to advertise the cultural heritage of the Yoruba folks.
[wpadcenter_ad id=’745970′ align=’none’]
