The 14th Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has given the reason for the unveiling and transformation of the annual Olokun Festival to Olokun World Festival.
The Yoruba generalissimo made the disclosure at the grand finale of the 2024 edition of Olokun Festival at Suntan Beach, Badagry, Lagos.
Iba Adams said the week-long activities of the festival climaxed with the new initiative, adding that the Olokun Festival Foundation had the royal blessing and full support of the Akran of Badagry, Oba De Wheno Aholu Toyi, and other stakeholders of the ancient town, determined to advance the cause of the annual cultural fiesta, promoting it beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Adams, also the chief promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation, said the 2024 edition of Olokun festival was historic as it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the organization.
He emphasized the need for cultural rejuvenation, stating that the OFF has a big projection to make Badagry a global world tourists destination and a replica of the Papaya tourist spot in Thailand.
“Today,,” Aare Adams said, “we are breaking a new ground in our cultural promotion activities as this festival will be formally unveiled as Olokun World Festival.
“We started the journey exactly 22 years ago today at Alpha Beach,and
today, Tuesday, October 22, is an important date in the calendar of Olokun Festival.
“For us as an organization, this is a big step in our desire to drive our cultural promotion programmes beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“It will earn the foundation the global respect as it opens a window of opportunities for Badagry to attract tourists and investors from all over the world.
“Today, it is our projection to explore the tourism potentials of Badagry.
“We intend to build a mini-stadium here in Badagry. It is our plan also to have our permanent site here in Badagry, where we will build a world-class hotel near the Olokun. The hotel will meet all global standard, with over 300 rooms for accommodations, and luxuries as well as three different halls for conferences and events. All these are our projections and future plans in Badagry.”
In his remarks, chairman of the planning committee of the 2024 Olokun Festival, Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, said that the success recorded with the grand finale was the direct result of the collective efforts by all members of the committee.
He acknowledged the fatherly role of the chief promoter in making the epoch possible, even as he appreciated the guests for finding time to be part of the success story.
This year’s turnout, the organizers confirmed, was well over 50,000, with
more than 50 traditional rulers gracing the grand finale from Lagos,
Badagry and Republic of Benin, among others.
The Akran of Badagry, Oba De Wheno Aholu Toyi, was represented by five prominent Obas from the ancient town. Leading the monarchs
were: the Aholu of Akarakumo, Oba Nunayon Awogbemi Travil, the Aholu of Yafin Kingdom, and Oba Dr. Abiodun Whedoku Patinvoh.
The royal father of the day, who is also the Olowu of Owu Kuta in Osun State, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, praised the Aare Onakakanfo for the new initiative, saying that the traditional institution under the Yoruba Obas will continue to support initiatives tailored toward the progress of Yorubaland.
The Oniladaba of Ladaba Kingdom, Oba Nureni Ebudola Odedina Alugbin, the Onirokun of Irokun Kingdom, Oba Buhari Ola Balogun, and the Onimapara of Mapara Kingdom, Oba Lateef Amodemaja.
Members of the Aare Onakakanfo Chiefs in Council, National Executive Council (NEC), National Coordinating Council (NCC), and OPC members from across the country attended the festival.