An Ibadan chief, Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, has said the annual World Twins Festival, Igbo-Ora, if sustained and properly coordinated, would attract foreign tourists and, in return, boost the economy of not only Ibarapaland but the entire Oyo State.
Adegoke, a governorship aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform, stated this at the weekend while speaking as the chairman of the 2025 World Twins Festival, Igbo-Ora.
He commended the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, for creating the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and noted that this decision shows that the governor loves cultural developments.
He maintained that if the annual World Twins Festival, Igbo-Ora, is sustained and properly coordinated, it will attract foreign tourists, which will, in return, boost the economy of not only Ibarapaland but the entire Oyo State.
He states, “If we all come together to celebrate this festival every year, if we come together to organise it perfectly, that will attract tourists from other countries like the Caribbean nations and Latin America, and it will help catapult the economy of IIbarapaland.
“And you know Ibarapa is a subset of Oyo State. Therefore, if the economy of Ibarapa improves, the economy of Oyo state will invariably improve.
“If this festival attracts tourists from overseas, it will definitely attract development. It will boost the economy of Ibarapaland because people will invest in hotels and tourism.
“People will invest in transportation, and the government will invest in security, electricity, and other infrastructural developments.
Also speaking, the Olu of Igbo-Ora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, said it’s the collective aspiration of all that the Igbo-Ora Twins Festival continues to grow.
He said, “Not only as a global celebration of our uniqueness but as a platform for youth development, peace–building and empowerment. Together let us uphold the value, tradition and spirit that make Igbo-Ora great while praying for a better future for generations yet unborn.’’
