By Lukman Olabiyi
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Land, Gani Adams, has emphasized the vital role of art and cultural promotion in driving national development.
Adams laid emphasizes on this while reeling out activities lined up for the 13th Edition of Eledumare Festival which kicked off on March 30.
He said the 21 days event which will end on April 22, is meant to appreciate what God has done in the lives of Nigeria and the citizens in general and to also serve as potential for tourism in the host communities and the state as well as the country.
According to Adams who is the chief promoter of the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), the organiser of the festival, investing in culture and the arts not only helps in preserving a country’s identity but also opens up numerous avenues for economic growth, fostering unity, and promoting social cohesion.
“The festival is to appreciate what God has done in our lives and to even let people know that we can appreciate God through cultural and traditional and not only through religious programmes and activities. And this festival will create commerce in the host communities and the state, and it is also a potential for tourism.
“We have been doing this programme for the past 13 years and even during the time of COVID-19, we managed and made sure that Eledumare Festival was organized.
“Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) will always make sure that it promotes the cultures and traditions and even tourism in our community, the state and the country,” he said.