Amidst Economic Hardship, Adherents, Tourists Throng Osun Osogbo Festival

• Adeleke Pledges More Commitment To Creative Sector

Adherents, tourists, and people from all walks of life attended the 2024 edition of the Osun Osogbo festival, which climaxed on Friday.

As early as 7 am, devotees of the Osun goddess, traditionalists, cultural organisations, and other stakeholders trooped to the Osun Grove, Isale Osun, to participate in the grand finale.

There was heavy traffic along the routes leading to the sacred grove, which houses the Osun River and the Osun deity, with adherents and visitors trooping to the river bank to make prayer requests and present their offerings of sacrifice to the river goddess.

Osun Defender reports that despite the biting economic hardship and the raging #EndBadGovernance protests, adherents and tourists from all parts of the world still thronged to the grove following the procession led by the maiden Virgin, (Arugba) as armed security operatives adorned every corner leading to the grove.

As usual, various cultural displays, as well as the paying of homage to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Laroooye II, by the traditional chiefs, community leaders, and the people of the ancient town, marked the event.

Notable among the dignitaries that attended the grand finale was the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams.

READ: #EndBadGovernance: Protest Continues After Osun Festival – Take-It-Back Movement

In his remarks, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke re-echoed the determination of his administration to reform and expand the creative sector of the state’s economy.

Adeleke, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, said his government will not relent in making Osun the first tourism destination within and outside the federation.

Adeleke said, “Our government is reforming and expanding various sectors of the economy. The creative industry is receiving special attention because of its potential as an employer of labour and a booster of internally generated revenue.

“We are supporting the private sector as the driver of the creative sector expansion agenda. This will speed up the rejuvenation of the sector.

“We have huge potential to tap into the tourism sector. Osun is the cradle of the Yoruba race and the host of key Yoruba cultural assets. We are not relenting in our plans to make Osun the first tourism destination within and outside the federation.

“We are forging ahead with our support for the upgrade of the Osun Osogbo groove. Last year, we supported the organiser and managers of the site with the rehabilitation of the arena. We backed up the cleaning of the stream. We are now looking at the rehabilitation of the internal roads within the groove.”

He also congratulated the Ataoja of Osogbo Land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, for another successful hosting of the Osun Osogbo festival.

“Our best wishes to all adherents of the Osun Osogbo at home and abroad. We will continue to support all cultural festivals as a tool for local development and preservation of our tradition and culture.”

While addressing the gathering, the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Oyetunji Olanipekun, commended devotees and foreign tourists for paying homage to the Osun River goddess.

Oyetunji also thanked the state government for supporting the festival.

According to the traditional ruler, the 2024 edition of the festival ended a huge success despite the challenges facing the country.