Iganmode 2021 Festival: Olota Promises Robust Celebration As He Seeks Government Patronage

 

Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, The Olota of Ota, has called on Ogun state government to accord the annual Iganmode Festival the privilege of being part of the tourism calendar in State, like other festivals such as ‘Ojude Oba’, ‘Lisabi Day’, ‘Oroona Day’ and ‘Odun Omo Olowu’.

The Monarch called for the state government’s patronage in the celebration of the Iganmode Festival in order to further put it on the national and global map.

The statement was made by Obalanlege at a press conference which was part of the activities set to mark the 2021 Iganmode Festival scheduled to hold between 13th and 19th December.

The Olota also called on the state government to come to the aid of his kingdom by fixing the deplorable roads in the area and giving them a fair share of their contributions to the state and the country’s economy.

According to him, to attract tourists in appreciable number to the state, there is a need to develop infrastructure in the area and generally upgrade the environment.

‘To attract tourists in appreciable number, we need to develop our infrastructure and generally upgrade our environment, that is why I will call on the state government to come to our aid and fix the deplorable roads in Ota and give us a fair share of our contribution to the state economy,’ he said.

‘On our part, we will continue to sensitize our people not only to be of good behaviour but to be loyal and support the government of the day by paying their taxes regularly.

‘We request a partnership with the state government on this cultural festival and its mainstreaming in the tourism calendar of the state like the Ojude Oba, Lisabi Day, Orona Day or the Odun Omo Olowu that continue to enjoy government patronage.

‘We will encourage Governor Dapo Abiodun not to rest on his oars in fulfilling his electoral promises to our people. For us, we would continue to support all his efforts to develop the state.

‘Through the festival, we have resolved to sustain the cultural heritage of Ota people and Awori in general. It is a festival that reminds the people of their rich culture and through it, we celebrate love and unity among ourselves,’ Olota stated.

In his address, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the 2021 Iganmode Festival, Aare Dele Bankole, said this year’s edition of the festival is being used as a point to call people’s attention to other tourist attractions in Ota.