Oyo State set to celebrate 2024 Yemoja festival

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The Oyo State Government has announced its readiness to celebrate the annual Yemoja Festival, slated for October 10 to October 27, 2024, at Popoyemoja in Ibadan.

The event is expected to draw participants from Yoruba-speaking states and the diaspora.

During a press conference at the Council for Arts and Culture in Ibadan, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatubosun, emphasized the importance of the festival in showcasing the state’s cultural heritage.

He also linked it to the state’s ongoing cultural tourism initiatives under the Omituntun 2.0 Agenda, led by Governor Seyi Makinde.

“This festival is not just a celebration; it is an opportunity to showcase our rich heritage and strengthen our economy through cultural tourism. The festival will draw participants from across Yoruba-speaking states and the diaspora, promoting cultural exchange and unity among communities,” Olatubosun explained.

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The 17-day festival will include a variety of events, such as traditional rites, cultural performances, and community gatherings. Olatubosun also highlighted one of the festival’s main attractions: the Effigy of Ogunieki, a statue representing a mother breastfeeding her child, symbolizing motherhood’s enduring strength and legacy.

“We invite everyone to come and partake in this vibrant celebration, which recognizes the importance of mothers and their role in our society,” he added.

Olatubosun urged residents and visitors alike to join in celebrating the spirit of Yemoja and the values she embodies.

In his remarks, Baale Omikunmi Egbelade also stressed the festival’s importance in boosting the state’s economy, encouraging all Yoruba people to return to their cultural roots and uphold the legacies of their forefathers.