In a move to prepare for the upcoming 2024 World Sango Festival, the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, has inaugurated a ten-member organizing committee.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, saw the commissioner acknowledge the contributions of two key individuals – Mr. Emmanuel Odekanyin, who represented the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Division and the International Cultural Relations Department of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, and Dr. Paula Gomez, the Cultural Ambassador to the Alaafin of Oyo. The commissioner expressed his gratitude for their efforts in securing UNESCO’s approval for the World Sango Festival last year.
The recognition and inscription of the Sango Oyo Festival in the UNESCO World Heritage list has positioned Oyo State as a major player in the tourism industry.
The 2024 Sango Festival, which will be held in Oyo Town in August, is expected to attract over 15,000 local and international tourists.
Olatubosun urged the committee to show respect to the memory of Duro Ladipo, the founder of Sango promotion, by including his family members in the planning process. He also emphasized the importance of attracting an international audience by ensuring the festival meets international standards.
The commissioner also advised the committee to accord great respect to the Sango worshippers they will be interacting with and to respect their culture.
The committee is headed by the general manager of the Cultural Center, Ibadan, Chief Mrs. Olayinka Adedeji, and co-chaired by Dr. Gomez. The committee comprises stakeholders and officials of the ministry.
Olatubosun tasked the committee with securing sponsorships, promoting the festival locally and within UNESCO member countries, finding a safe and appropriate venue, and identifying cost-effective solutions that enhance the festival’s value.
The festival will be a week-long event and will include a symposium with a distinguished speaker, various Sango performances, entertainment, and parades.
