Chairman of Ogbomosholand Committee for Arts and Culture, Prince Williams Adeleye has said that the ancient town is now working towards rejuvenating the cultural heritage of the town and showcasing it to the world, with the intent of promoting peace, creating jobs, and developing the city economically.
He also said that,”As part of his 25-Year Development Plan for the Accelerated Development of Ogbomoso, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Gbandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, considers tourism and hospitality development as one of the aspects that can help in rejuvenating cultural values and promoting the economy.
“He said,”To this end, a committee of relevant and committed stakeholders has been set up to champion the cause and organize an all-encompassing festival that will promote unity, progress, and make Ogbomosoland a preferred destination for local and foreign tourists.”
“We are excited to announce that Ogbomoso-born international artist, Mr. Alexander Akande Abolore, popularly known as 9ice, will be officially unveiled as the face of the festival during the unveiling of the logo and stakeholders’ forum, the date of which will be announced soon.”he also hinted.
He added that the committee which was inaugurated on the 27th of April, 2024, had since hit the ground running,” by reaching out to critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers in various communities, to seek their collaboration and support for the success of the programme. We are pleased to announce that the response has been fruitful “
Prince Adeleye also said” Festivals are celebrated annually in Ogbomosoland. The Egungun festival and Odun Oole Oba, a special cuisine festival, have been particularly popular, attracting tourists from both within and outside the country.”
Apart from the rich cultural heritage, Prince Adeleye said that “Ogbomosoland is blessed with a wealth of tourism potential, historical relics, and artefacts, including ancient palaces, shrines, cultural festivals, deities, masquerades, and various forms of cuisine that attract both local and foreign visitors.”
Going into the rich history of Ogbomosholand he said,”Let me take you on a journey through this fascinating region. Ogbomosoland is a conglomeration of over 1000 communities that span five local government areas which include Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Oriire, Surulere, and Ogo Oluwa. These communities lie within the derived savannah region and serve as a gateway to the northern part of Nigeria from the west.
“The main city of Ogbomoso is situated 57 kilometres southwest of Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, 53 kilometres Northeast of Oyo, 58 kilometres northwest of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, and 104 kilometres Northeast of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.”
He stressed that,”Ogbomosoland is known for its rich agricultural heritage, particularly the production of crops like yams, cassava, and maize. Cash crops such as cashews, mangoes, and oranges are also cultivated; farming and food production are important economic activities in the city.
“The inhabitants of the communities, though having different traditions of origin, are Yoruba people endowed with a rich cultural heritage and tradition. They speak the mutually intelligible Yoruba language and possess traditional values that can be found in any Yoruba community.”
“December 19, 2024 (Day 1): Opening ceremonies featuring Egungun, traditional hunters’ display, Bata/drummers, and so on.
“December 20 (Day 2): Odun Oole Oba. Odun Oole is a traditional festival celebrated annually by the Royal Families of Soun of Ogbomosoland. This year, Odun Oole Oba will be celebrated in a unique way.
“December 21 (Day 3): 2nd edition of Oba Ghandi Golf tournament and sports finals at the Ogbomoso Recreation Club Golfers.
“December 22 (Day 4): Masquerade parade, traditional cuisines, stage play, and musical concerts at the Ogbomoso Township Stadium.
“December 23 (Day 5): Grand Finale. Cultural displays from groups across the five local government areas and traditional homage to the Kabiyesi.
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