The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called on Nigerians to promote culture and tradition in every part of the country.
Mohammed made the call on Saturday at the Grand Finale of the 2021 World Sango Festival in the Palace of Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, in Oyo Town.
The minister was represented by Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
Mohammed said that cultural heritage of the people should be promoted through various traditional festivals that abound in our respective localities. He commended Oba Adeyemi III for sustaining the rich cultural heritage of Yoruba people.
The minister described the annual Sango Festival as a befitting cultural heritage in the history of Yorubaland.
According to him, Oba Adeyemi is an embodiment of knowledge, who has been good ambassador of the Yoruba culture across the globe.
In his remarks, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, described Sango Festival as a well recognised cultural festival in African and the entire world.
Adams said that celebration of Sango Festival was a generational festival which had been in practice for decades. The Are Onakakanfo urged Yoruba people to embrace their cultural heritage, irrespective of their religion beliefs.
He charged the traditional rulers, as custodians of culture and traditions in Yorubaland, to do more in the promotion of culture of their people.
According to him, there is economic benefits attached to the celebration of festivals such as Sango Festival. He said that the celebration of Sango festival would definitely boost the economic activities in the ancient town and the state at large.
READ ALSO: Sheikh El-Zakzaky, wife dying, need urgent treatment, IMN writes UN, EU, others
Adams said that celebration of festivals would also bring peace, promote harmonious relationship and popularise the community and bring it to limelight in the world of culture and tourism.
According to him, celebration of such festivals is not about religion, but celebration of culture and traditions.
“Any traditional ruler that did not celebrate unique festivals will be regarded as a guest in his domain,” the Aare Onakakanfo said.
In his remarks, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, urged Nigerians, especially the Yoruba race to embrace their culture.
