Lagos State government, Akran of Badagry, Oba De-Wheno Aholu Toyi 1 and prominent diaspora organisations have endorsed the Olokun World Festival as a significant cultural fiesta in Lagos state.
The endorsements were made at the grand finale of the 2024 edition of the Olokun Festival, held in Badagry, in recognition of the foundation’s efforts to sustain the festival over the past 22 years.
According to the organizers, the annual festival attracted over 50,000 participants, with 50 monarchs from the Republic of Benin, Badagry, and other parts of the southwest in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Idowu Johnson, who stood in for the Lagos State commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson, said it is interesting to note that the Olokun Festival Foundation(OFF) has been sustaining the celebration of the annual festival now for 22 years.
He added that the best thing to do is to support the foundation by making it a World Festival with global appeal.
“Though the Osun Osogbo festival is celebrated in Osun State, it is very much recognised by UNESCO. We are part of the success story of Osun Osogbo, but today, we are celebrating Olokun Festival’s consistent efforts in promoting the cultural fiesta for 22 years. That is why we are endorsing the fiesta as Olokun World Festival, as part of the efforts of the Lagos State government to promote culture and tradition in the state.’’
In his remarks, Akran of Badagry, Oba De-Wheno Aholu Toyi, praised the Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, for transforming the annual fiesta into a global event. He said Badagry and Yoruba monarchs would continue supporting any idea or initiative to ensure Yoruba land’s progress.
In his speech, Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Adams took a trip down memory lane, highlighting the spiritual and economic gains of celebrating the Olokun festival in Badagry over the last 22 years.
