The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting Yoruba cultural heritage, particularly among young people.
The state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatubosun, gave the assurance while receiving members of the Itansan Arts Festival team during a courtesy visit to his office in Ibadan.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Olatubosun commended the organisers for conceiving the festival, describing it as an important initiative that would celebrate the cultural legacy of the Yoruba people and honour the contributions of past generations.
“This initiative is a commendable effort to celebrate and project the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, particularly the ancestors who laid the foundation for the present generation,” he said.
The commissioner reiterated the state government’s readiness to support programmes that would revive the interest of young people in culture and traditions.
According to him, cultural festivals remain an effective platform for preserving identity while also promoting tourism and community engagement.
“Programmes like this help rekindle the interest of young people in our traditions and values.
Cultural festivals are essential for preserving our identity and also serve as a means of promoting tourism,” Olatubosun added.
He assured the organisers that the ministry would support the event through official endorsement, participation, and publicity before, during, and after the festival.
“The ministry will provide an endorsement letter, participate in the event and also support the festival through publicity using our media platforms,” he said.
Olatubosun also encouraged the organisers to ensure proper planning and coordination to guarantee the success of the maiden edition of the festival.
Earlier, the Convener and Festival Director of the Itansan Arts Festival, Adewumi Adekunle, said the visit was to seek the government’s endorsement and formally inform the ministry about the upcoming cultural event.
She explained that the initiative was designed to promote Yoruba arts, culture, and heritage in ways that would resonate with younger generations.
“We observed that many young people are gradually losing touch with their cultural roots. Through this festival, we want to create programmes that make Yoruba culture appealing and relatable to them,” Adekunle said.
She added that the festival would also focus on celebrating Yoruba ancestors and highlighting their contributions to society.
“People hardly talk about our ancestors anymore, even though many of our traits and identities can be traced back to them. We want people to rediscover and appreciate them from a different perspective,” she stated.
Adekunle disclosed that the event, scheduled to take place in May, would feature an inter-school competition involving secondary school students.
According to her, participants would present creative works on Yoruba deities or traditions through visual arts, writing, and oratory presentations.
Other activities lined up for the festival include a stage drama titled “The Beacons of the Ancestors,” as well as the launch of a book titled “Emissaries of the Gods,” which highlights Yoruba ancestors as cultural icons.
Officials of the Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism also applauded the initiative, noting that it aligns with the state government’s vision of promoting culture and tourism while encouraging young people to actively participate in preserving their heritage.
