Michael Omolayo
International Council for ifá Religion, (ICIR) on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism and Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA).
The leadership of the Council, led by its President, Oluwo Solagbade Popoola (PhD) met with the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bosede Mercy Adaran and other top staff of the Ministry.
Oluwo Popoola while speaking on the purpose of the visit, said it was to inform the Ministry of the date fixed for the annual World Ifa Orisa Festival and Pilgrimage and to also discuss ways to further enhance the effectiveness of the collaboration already existing between the Ministry and Council.
Welcoming the visitors, Mrs Adaran commended ICIR for the role being played by the organization in promoting the rich heritage and history of Ekiti State. She assured them of the Ministry’s support.
The Permanent Secretary, who was billed to retire the next day, Friday 21st April, 2023, explained that the Director of Tourism, Mr Adebanji Adelusi would be relating with them on behalf of the Ministry to ensure that the collaboration achieves it’s expected purposes.
Later same day, the ICIR team also paid a courtesy visit to the office of EKDIPA where various matters relating to heritage tourism development in the State were discussed.
Oluwo Solagbade Popoola, shared with officials of EKDIPA the various incidences that birthed the annual heritage festival, the 9th edition of which is slated for May 20, this year.
He expressed hope that Ekiti State Government would begin to show serious commitment and contribute towards the sustainability of the annual tourism event due to its high economic prospects.
Oluwo Popoola further hinted that the major interest of ICIR was the spiritual essence of the festival and it forms just about 20% of its total significance. He disclosed that the festival offers 80% advantage to the State in terms of economic prospects through tourism.
Mr. Adebanji Adelusi, while briefing the EKDIPA officials on the level of collaboration that had existed between the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism and the Council, explained how the Ministry had gone to Oke-igeti with members of the Ifa organization 12 years ago to authenticate their claims that a deity called Orunmila had lived on the mountain many centuries earlier.
He also explained that the Ministry endorsed the annual event having seen its tourism prospect in it as well as its inherent economic advantages.
He said efforts to preserve the various sites being visited by Ifa pilgrims during their annual event are in progress and that the delay was due to the need to ensure that all necessary official procedures are taken.
The Director-General, while responding, commended International Council for Ifa Religion for its persistence and sustained hosting of the annual festival. He expressed the readiness Ekiti State Government to embrace anything that could bring economic development to the State.
He assured the Council that EKDIPA and the Ministry of Tourism would present the demands of the Council in respect of the required access to the portion of the Oke-igeti which the Council considers very important to their annual pilgrimage.
The DG however advised the Council to inaugurate the Ekiti State chapter of the Council as well as local organizing committees for the festival. This, he said, would assist the Council in no small measure in following up their requests from government .
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Ekiti Tourism & Hospitality News
EKITI HERITAGE TOURISM: IFÁ COUNCIL PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SEEKS ACCESS TO OKE-IGETI AND GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE SITES IN THE STATE.
April 23, 2023
Michael Omolayo
The global body of all Ifa and Orisa adherents, International Council for ifá Religion, (ICIR) on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism and Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA).
The leadership of the Council, led by its President, Oluwo Solagbade Popoola (PhD) met with the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bosede Mercy Adaran and other top staff of the Ministry.
Oluwo Popoola while speaking on the purpose of the visit, said it was to inform the Ministry of the date fixed for the annual World Ifa Orisa Festival and Pilgrimage and to also discuss ways to further enhance the effectiveness of the collaboration already existing between the Ministry and Council.
Welcoming the visitors, Mrs Adaran commended ICIR for the role being played by the organization in promoting the rich heritage and history of Ekiti State. She assured them of the Ministry’s support.
The Permanent Secretary, who was billed to retire the next day, Friday 21st April, 2023, explained that the Director of Tourism, Mr Adebanji Adelusi would be relating with them on behalf of the Ministry to ensure that the collaboration achieves it’s expected purposes.
Later same day, the ICIR team also paid a courtesy visit to the office of EKDIPA where various matters relating to heritage tourism development in the State were discussed.
Oluwo Solagbade Popoola, shared with officials of EKDIPA the various incidences that birthed the annual heritage festival, the 9th edition of which is slated for May 20, this year.
He expressed hope that Ekiti State Government would begin to show serious commitment and contribute towards the sustainability of the annual tourism event in spite of its high economic prospect.
Oluwo Popoola further hinted that the major interest of ICIR was the spiritual essence of the festival and it forms just about 20% of its total significance. He disclosed that the festival offers 80% advantage to the State in terms of economic prospects through tourism.
Mr. Adebanji Adelusi, while briefing the EKDIPA officials on the level of collaboration that had existed between the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism and the Council, explained how the Ministry had gone to Oke-igeti with members of the Ifa organization 12 years ago to authenticate their claims that a deity called Orunmila had lived on the mountain many centuries earlier.
He also explained that the Ministry endorsed the annual event having seen the tourism prospect of the annual and its inherent economic advantages.
He said efforts to preserve the various sites being visited by Ifa pilgrims during their annual event are in progress and that the delay was due to the need to ensure that all necessary official procedures are taken.
The Director-General, while responding, commended International Council for Ifa Religion for its persistence and sustained hosting of the annual festival. He expressed the readiness Ekiti State Government to embrace anything that could bring economic development to the State.
He assured the Council that EKDIPA and the Ministry of Tourism would present the demands of the Council in respect of the required access to the portion of the Oke-igeti which the Council considers very important to their annual pilgrimage.
The DG however advised the Council to inaugurate the Ekiti State chapter of the Council as well as local organizing committees for the festival. This, he said, would assist the Council in no small measure in following up their requests from government .
Leave a Reply
Logged in as Ekitourism. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Notify me of new comments via email.
Notify me of new posts via email.
Notify me of new posts on web and Jetpack App via notifications.
2021 Pendant © All Rights Reserved
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