The Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barr. Hanatu Musawa, on Sunday, reiterated the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to making Nigeria the greatest black nation on earth by exporting the country’s rich cultural heritage to the outside world.
Musawa has said that the federal government is ready to collaborate with the state government to develop the tourism sector to boost job creation, economic expansion, and national prosperity.
The minister stated this in her speech at the 2025 Ojude Oba festival, which was held at the Awujale pavilion in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The annual cultural celebration, held three days after the Eid-el Kabir celebration, provides an opportunity for the people of Ijebu land, who often wear uniforms, to pay homage to the Ijebu traditional ruler, Awujale, and the paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
However, the highly revered 91-year-old monarch, who was conspicuously absent at this year’s celebration, was represented by his wife, Olori Kemi Adetona.
According to an impeccable source who preferred to remain anonymous, the traditional ruler’s absence was due to old age.
Dignitaries at this year’s celebration included the Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami; Former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel; Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaib Salisu; and the deputy governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, among others.
Barr Musawa said, “President Bola Tinubu is firmly committed to making us the greatest black nation on earth and one of the strongest economies.
One way he wants to do this is for us to leverage and tap into the opportunities that abound in the cultural and creative landscape.
She applauded the people of Ijebu for putting together such a beautiful cultural festival. She praised the Awujale, Oba Adetona, for doing so much to preserve the cultural heritage even for the unborn generation.
