Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has urged Nigerians to preserve their culture and prevent it from fading away.
Makinde made this appeal on Thursday in Ibadan, the state capital.
He spoke during the grand finale of the 2025 World Egungun Festival.
Our correspondent reports that the event took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in the Oke Ado area of Ibadan.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures including the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, represented by the Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Lekan Alabi; the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Osun State, Hon Ojo Abiodun; the President of Oje Parapo Worldwide, Prince Adeola Adelakun; and Oyo State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun.
Representing the governor, his Deputy, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, reiterated the call for Nigerians to safeguard their cultural heritage.
Makinde also took the opportunity to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to broadening the cultural sector.
He explained that this focus would help the state generate more revenue from cultural tourism while boosting the economy.
Addressing the crowd, the governor emphasized that culture and tourism are priorities for his administration.
“We must not allow our culture to go into extinction and I am happy, because it is not only the old people that are here today,” he stated.