In a move to have a uniform celebration of Egungun Festival, the Oyo State Government on Thursday, August 3, held a meeting with worshippers (Alagbaas) and other stakeholders to set aside a day in the year for the celebration.
The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, who chaired the meeting, said that the new move is part of the current administration’s bid to set the tone for promotion of tourism and culture in the pacesetter state under Omituntun 2.0.
Addressing the stakeholders, Dr. Olatubosun said that tourism has become a focal point of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 Agenda.
According to him, the grand Egungun Carnival will herald the commencement of various Egungun Festivals across Oyo State.
Olatunbosun explained that a unified date for this cultural festival would further promote the State’s culture and boost the tourism potentials of the State, by bringing tourists from all over the world to witness the festival.
The display by the various Egungun Worshipers would make the celebrations more attractive to the tourists, he said.
He stated further: “Oyo State being a pacesetter state will be hitting the ground running on this dignified cultural propagation and promotion, thus writing history for others to follow.”
The ‘Alagbaas’ in their response, unanimously agreed to the concept, promising to work in synergy with the Ministry to make the concept a success.
They also promised to tell their members to give unwavering support towards achieving the desirable outcome.
The Egungun Festival is celebrated annually between June and July in Oyo State to pray for peace in the land and entertain the people in a peaceful and relaxed manner.
