The Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Olanipekun Jimoh Oyetunji has debunked allegations that sacred lands in the Osun groove are being sold to developers.
This is as Oba Oyetunji called on stakeholders and sponsors of the Osun Osogbo Festival to invest and develop the Osun groove by siting permanent infrastructures and construction of protective wall across the landmass.
This call by the Osogbo monarch was made during a summit organised in preparation for the 2025 edition of the Osun Osogbo Festival on Saturday in Osogbo.
The summit is themed; Tradition, Trade and Transformation: Building Africa’s Global Cultural Future
Oba Oyetunji said, “The land separated by the state government for UNESCO for the Osun Osogbo groove has not been encouraged upon. The land is still intact and under the watchful eyes of the Osun groove custodians.
“The groove has facilities for relaxation and also to prevent open defecation online with the government action.
“As the custodian of the Osun groove, we want the sponsors of the festival to put in place permanently structures and also to build a protective wall round the groove. This will stop any kind of perceived encroachment and also prevent bush burning.”;
On his part, the Osun Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Ojo described the summit as one designed to expose the workings of the state government in the area of culture and tourism.
Noting that culture is all about identity, Ojo stressed that the festival is one of the major cultural heritage and one of the two UNESCO recognised heritage sites in Nigeria.
“Culture is all about identity and promotion. Osun Osogbo is one of the major cultural heritage and one of the two UNESCO recognises heritage sites in Nigeria after the one in Adamawa State.
The Commissioner also stated the maintenance and sponsorship of the festival came with sacrifices.
He also advocated for creative economy for youths to be gainfully employed.
