As the Ogbomoso Cradles Festival kicks off on Thursday, December 19, a group of concerned indigenes under the banner of the Ogbomoso Development Agenda (ODA) has called on the organisers to redirect their efforts toward addressing pressing infrastructural needs in the town.
In a statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Mr. Owolabi Ezekiel, ODA emphasized that the town’s immediate needs lie in economic and social development, which directly impacts the well-being of its residents.
The statement reads in part:
“As a group committed to the overall development of Ogbomoso, we urge the organisers of the Ogbomoso Cradles Festival to focus their energy on initiatives that can drive sustainable growth and development in our community.
“This festival comes at a time when Ogbomoso is grappling with significant challenges, including disunity among traditional rulers in the five local governments that make up the town, poor road infrastructure, rising insecurity, and other socio-economic issues. Organising a festival at this time appears misplaced when there are more pressing concerns to address.
“Moreover, the exclusion of indigenous artistes in favor of non-native performers raises concerns about the economic benefits of the festival. Payments to these external artistes amount to capital flight, depriving local talents of opportunities to contribute to the town’s economic growth.”
The group concluded by urging the festival organisers to reconsider their priorities and focus on initiatives that would transform Ogbomoso into a model town for infrastructural and economic development.
“We call on the organisers to channel their resources and creativity into projects that will uplift the town, foster unity, and position Ogbomoso as a beacon of progress and prosperity,” the statement added.
