Oyetola Harps On Potential Of Osun Osogbo Festival For Economic Growth

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has stressed the importance of the annual Osun Osogbo Festival to the economic growth of the state.

Speaking at the festival Oyetola expressed delight at the international dimension Osun festival has attained.

His words: “The Osun Osogbo festival has, over the years, contributed to the socioeconomic development of the State in no small measure. Your conduct and carriage during the celebrations has showcased us as an organised, hospitable and peaceful people.

“As a government, we will not relent in our efforts to exploit the opportunities offered by this festival to ensure its growth and sustainability for socioeconomic development of Osun.

“As an administration, we continue to seek ways of mainstreaming our unique potential as a cultural and tourist destination. This desire, you will recall, motivated the design of a culture and tourism master plan which has guided our interventions in the sector.”
Also speaking, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, Laaroye ll while congratulating his people, Osun devotees, tourists and the entire Yoruba race urged the people to live in peace that Osun represents.
Meanwhile, the devotees of Osun Osogbo on Friday openly defied the warning of Osun State government on the danger inherent in drinking the contaminated water.
The state government through the commissioner for Health Dr. Rafiu Isamotu had earlier advised devotees that the river has been contaminated through indiscriminate mining activities carried out along the flow of the river.

Thousands of devotees and tourists besieged Osogbo, Osun State capital for the annual festival throng the river site where libations were performed by the priest of Osun.