http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news-update/17502-nigeria-may-host-another-festac.html
By Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo 1 hour ago

Nigeria may host the world to a cultural fiesta 34 years after the celebration of the Festival of Arts and Culture tagged: ‘FESTAC ’77.’

The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke gave this hint at this year’s edition of the Osun festival over the weekend.

According to the minister, plans are underway to project diverse cultural heritage of the nation to the outside world as was done during FESTAC ’77.

The Minister also disclosed that the Abuja carnival will be repackaged from being a mere celebration of only Nigeria states but will be elevated to the status of the World Black and Africa Festival of Arts and Culture.

He pledged that the Tourism Ministry will continue to support the annual Osun Osogbo Festival and others, financially.

Chief Duke also said that his Ministry would preserve the cultural heritage sites to make people see culture as an enterprise.

While assuring that the Ministry is set to embark on massive capacity building, Duke disclosed that at least 3,000 cultural entrepreneurs would be trained.

He enjoined the Osun State Government to make a significant contribution to the initiative.

The minister, who called on the youths to ensure that the annual Osun Osogbo festival is preserved, noted that culture is rich and must be elevated to become the biggest festival anywhere in the world.

The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola represented by his deputy, Chief Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori noted the significant contribution of the late culture icon and Osun devotee, Susanne Wenger popularly called Aduni Olorisa by her teeming admirers to the groove.

Wenger, who died on January 17, 2009, had been devoted to Osun deity since she came to Osogbo in the company of her late husband, Prof. Ulli Beier, from Austria in the early 50’s.

“Wenger was committed to our culture and the groove from the 50’s. Without her, the groove would not have been accorded the international recognition it now enjoys,” he said.

Aregbesola, who noted the contribution of some artists who have worked for the advancement of the groove and which culminated in the enlisting of Osun groove as an international tourist centre, invited the tourists to take time to visit some of the 63 tourist centres in the state, assuring them of adequate security and hospitality.

He appealed to the Nigerian Tourism Corporation to assist Osun State Government in its bid to develop all the tourist centres across the state.

“At this year festival, more than 5,000 foreign tourists have come and from each of them about $2,500 is expected to go into the economy of Osun State. Also, not less than 800 jobs have been created during this festival, including ones for tour guides.

“Our unique selling advantage is in packaging Osun State as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation and our target market is the Yoruba nation at home and the Diaspora. There are estimated 91 million Yoruba people scattered at home and abroad in West Africa, Brazil, United States, The Caribbean, Europe, Venezuela and Colombia. Of these, our target by 2013 is to bring in traffic of 10,000 tourists and rake in N3.5 billion.

“By 2014, the figure would have jumped to 15,000 and our projected revenue would be N5.6 billion. In 2015, we would have hit the 20,000 mark and attain N7.5 billion in revenue. We are determined to make Osun a tourist haven. We are going to assist every investor in every way possible,” the governor said.

As part of activities marking the festival, the Osogbo Artists Cooperative, which the international bead painter, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh serves as a patron, held a one day exhibition over the weekend at the Centre For Black Studies and International Understanding, Osogbo.

Participating artists, include two first generation of Osogbo School of Art, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh and Chief Muraina Oyelami and some Osogbo-based upcoming artists like Olajide Sadiq, Kayode Adewumi, Bolanle Oyebanji, Moruf Tiamiyu and others.

Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun flanked by his two oloris and top government officials from Osun, Ogun Oyo and Lagos prayed for the guests, worshippers and people of the state.

Olanipekun praised the immediate past monarch, late Oba Oyewale Matanmi III, for working assiduously for the recognition and elevation of the groove, saying that it was during his reign that the groove was listed as international tourist centre.

Chief Gani Adams, factional leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) led many members of the group to Osogbo in hired buses and private cars. Majority of them are worshippers of Osun goddess.

Also Eyo Masquerades from Lagos State added colour to the event.

Among the dignitaries whoo graced the occasion include the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mr. Edem Duke, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Elder Moses Adeyemo, Prince Segun Adesegun, Mrs. Adejoke, Deputy Governor of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, among others.