Segun James
Lagos State Governor, Mr.Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured the people that the state government would support cultural initiatives in the state.
Speaking at the just concluded Olokun/Olosa festival in Badagry, Sanwo-Olu,who was represented by the Director General of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Idowu Johnson, said the Lagos State Government was ready to explore the tourism sector by using cultural events as templates for cultural promotion.
“Lagos State Government is ready to use all within its capacity to support any initiative that is geared towards driving cultural activities in the state,” he said.
The governor applauded the initiator of the festival, Iba Gani Adams’ zeal at sustaining the cultural promotion activities in the state and beyond.
“What Iba Gani Adams is doing with Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) is exactly what is needed at this time when Yoruba culture and tradition is dwindling. But I want to assure you all that the state will do everything to support this lofty initiative,” he said.
In his remarks, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Adams, urged the federal government to diversify Nigeria’s economy, saying until Nigeria was restructured along regional lines, the country would continue to experience the same problem it is experiencing now.
“There is urgent need for complete overhauling of Nigeria’s structure, and until Nigeria is restructured along regional lines by allowing the federating units to operate at their own pace, Nigeria will continue to experience the same problems it is experiencing now.
“The Federal Government must diversify Nigeria’s economy in order to save the country from possible economic crisis that has been setting the nation backwards.The foundation of Nigeria’s structure is faulty. And we are yet to realise the fact that Nigeria is moving a step forward and three steps backwards.
“And until we restructure the country along regional lines by allowing the federating units to operate at their own pace, Nigeria will continue to experience the same problems we experience today,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Akran of Badagry, Oba De Wheno Aholu Toyi, who was represented by Oba Abiodun Whedoku Pativoh, expressed appreciation to the Aare Ona Kakanfo for using cultural promotion activities like the Olokun Festival to boost the economy of the town during the festival.
