The Oyo State government, in continuation of its campaign to promote Yoruba cultural values in the state, has canvassed strong Collaboration with the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners, ANTP, and the Curator, Tunde Odunlade Arts and Culture Connexions.
The desire for the collaboration was expressed at separate meeting held with the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Thursday, to discuss moves to consciously promote the state’s rich cultural and tourism potentials.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Olatunbosun paid eloquent tributes to the two stakeholders, adding that the state government was ready to tap into their wealth of experience in promoting culture in the state.
Olatunbosun described Chief Odunlade, who owns Tunde Odunlade Arts and Culture Connexions, as a leader who is committed to promoting Nigerian culture across the globe.
Commending Chief Odunlade, whose arts gallery in Ibadan, has helped promote tourism in the state, Olatunbosun also promised his office’s readiness to support the forthcoming Yoruba World Culture Festival, scheduled to hold in Abeokuta.
He said, “You are an iconic artist, whose outstanding works have significantly impacted the tourism industry by positively showcasing Nigerian arts and culture, locally and abroad over the years.”
Also speaking during the ANTP visit, Olatunbosun noted that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration is actively investing in Oyo State’s creative industry, reiterating that his vision for the industry’s growth is in tandem with theirs.
The commissioner reiterated the importance of passing cultural legacy to the future generation, such that the Yoruba cultural development story will not go into extinction.
He therefore sought for a collaboration with both stakeholders in promoting culture and tourism, through revived advocacy, sensitization and promotion of Yoruba cultural values in schools.
He added, “Judging from your experience as an established group, which have exhibited and taught the public on cultural values, we would like to partner with you, to teach the younger generations the essence of our culture.”
In his response, Chief Odunlade said that there is need for government at all levels to lease at least 5 per cent of public buildings to arts designs, saying this will go a long way in reawakening the arts and culture awareness in children.
He said that his passion is also to witness the establishment of a National Gallery of Arts in Ibadan, adding that this will add to the development of the state’s tourism sector.
In a similar vein, the state governor of ANTP, Mr. Gboye Abidoye, sought for the state government’s support towards its forthcoming Yoruba Arts and Culture Revival Festival, 2021; revealing that the festival is aimed at discovering young ones with talents early, so that they would be groomed appropriately.
Abidoye said that the association is keying into the state government’s efforts to instil the long gone cultural values into the younger ones, especially at this 21st century age.
