•Chief
Host & Convener, Amb. Yeye LARA FASHOLA Gives Details
On
the 26th & 27th of August 2022 at the Monarch, Lekki in Lagos the 2022
Olokun Festival will take place. The festival is usually organised by Amb Yeye
Lara Fashola, who is the Chief Host & Convener. In October 2021 she was
made a Culture Ambassador to the African Union-ECOSOC Nigeria National chapter for
the development of Africa's Cultural sector.
A
few days ago, she hosted a Press Conference where she revealed what to expect
at this year's Olokun Festival. Below is her speech.
Our
Host, The Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Governor Babajide
Sanwo-Olu, The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Dr Femi Hamzat,
The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, The Oba of Lagos,
Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akinolu, His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Ooni
Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja the II, All Royal fathers here present, Mr Oba Olasunkanmi, the Country
representative of the African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council AU-ECOSOCC
Nigeria, Mr Suwardy Abd Shukor, Trade attaché Malaysia High Commission Nigeria.
Hon.Quadri-adu Kehinde, head of Culture and Tourism for AU-ECOSOCC Nigeria. The
Chairman Olokun foundation, Chief Architect City of Atlantus Olo Sears. All
Priests and Priestesses Present, devotees of Olokun, Gentlemen of the press.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It
gives me great joy to address Nigerians and Africans through this medium on the
forthcoming year 2022 Olokun festival. Olokun Festival is a cultural festival
celebrated throughout Yoruba land including Edo State, the main purpose is to
unite our people and showcase the cultural value and heritage of our dear
people to the whole world. The festival, which has been held since 2002, is
organized by the Olokun Festival Foundation and has become so popular that
tourist now marks the date in their calendars to attend. It has promoted
tourism and cultural value chain to the world at large and makes Africa Culture
ripe with potential and promises. It is high time that all hands are put on
deck to systematically transform it into an economic force. This requires concerted efforts, time and attention of every African.
The
Theme for this year's event; “The Role of African Culture in the Promotion and
Development of Young Africans.” is very timely and apt to the present situation
in the country. My belief is that, if Culture is properly harnessed, it will
increase the GDP of Nigeria and of course, of the entire African continent.
There is a need to enlighten our youths to take their destiny into their hands,
they should take due advantage of the continent's rich cultural diversity to
develop themselves economically. The promotion of our culture in Africa should
have an impact on the way we view life, this gives us an edge over other continents.
But contrary to this statement, our culture is been pushed aside for foreign
cultures in terms of food, languages, entertainment and fashion. Promoting the
Yoruba Culture through the Olokun festival has come to mend the gap by
showcasing our culture in the best way possible with our local cuisine, music,
fashion, folklore and others. As a Cultural Ambassador of the African Union-
ECOSOCC Nigeria, my job is to support the work of the regional body which is to
promote greater unity and solidarity between African countries and their people
and also to defend Africa's position on issues of the common interest. The better
way to achieve these goals is by promoting and driving the relevance of our
cultural heritage to our coming generations.
The
support of the Africa Union-ECOSOCC Nigeria for the Olokun festival is something
worth mentioning. Olokun festival is in line with aspiration 5 of the African
Union Agenda 2063 which is meant for the future to accelerate progress
towards continental unity and integration for sustainable culture and heritage,
growth, trade, exchanges of goods, services, free movement of people and
capital through establishing a United Africa and fast-tracking economic
integration. This aspiration which is in progress is fundamental to our growth
as Africans, and if this is properly harnessed, it will surely take our
continent to where we all want it to be in future. Ambassadors and High
Commissioners from Africa and from other countries like Brazil, Venezuela,
Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Malaysia, France, China, America, Spain, and Britain, have been invited to come and be part of this year's event on the 26th
August 2022. Part of the programme expected at the event will include but is not
limited to; cultural display, ewi recitation, dance performances, inspired
African shows, display of African artefacts, life Band of a contemporary
African Music.The window of collaboration is open to all who are interested in
working with us at Olokun Foundation, I am sure that this is an healthy
beginning of greater things to come to Nigeria and our dear continent in
general. Once again, I want to say a very big thank you to our dear Governor,
His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu for creating an avenue for people of
different culture and religion to thrive and live together in harmony in Lagos state. Kudos to you, Mr Governor. To
men and women who had toiled endlessly in making this event successful, I want
to say thank you! Long live Lagos State, long live Nigeria, long live Africa!”
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