As indigenes and residents of Ijabe in Odo-Otin North Local Council Development Area of Osun State, held the town’s fourth edition of cultural day celebration on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, has restated the commitment of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to cultural renaissance in the State.
Egbemode, who described the celebration as necessary for increasing interaction level among indigenes and residents of Ijabe, said Governor Oyetola’s administration sees culture and tourism as tools for addressing crime rate and empowering citizens.
“This is the fourth edition of this celebration, and it provides us the opportunity to celebrate Nigerian artistes. We are grateful that we have a government in Osun that has identified culture and tourism as tools of integration, lowering crime rate and empowering the youths.
“The government of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is doing a lot of empowerment in different areas, including culture and tourism, agriculture, trade and commerce, sports, and so on. This explains why the State is also organising a Sports Festival in a bid to discover talents and nurture them. There are also other initiatives like the annual essay competition for secondary schools and tertiary institution students.
“The current administration also has provisions in place to help youths with seed money to start businesses, while linking some others with international donors especially those venturing into agriculture.
“Governor Oyetola’s approach to youth empowerment is such that transcends the Ministry of Youths and Sports. His approach is such that as many ministries as possible are involved in empowering youths in the State.
“So, this kind of celebration, which is a reflection of the cultural renaissance programme and policy of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration, is aimed at bringing people together, especially the youths, for the purpose of bonding, discussing and celebrating. It affords us the opportunity to look at what we are lacking as a people and see how we can help one another.
“It allows those who are losing hope to find motivation through the experiences of indigenes who are making headway, those who have turned the challenges in the country to ladders for ascending to great heights”, Egbemode said.
