By Miracle Okoro, Abeokuta
Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi has described festivals as an important tool in promoting cultural heritage and unity among the people.
The Commissioner made this known in an interview with journalists at 2025 Aje Olofin festival celebrated by the Isheri Olofin descendants and the Awori communities in Isheri area of Ogun State, saying festivals stand as a reminder of the enduring strength of cultural identity and community spirit.
Fagbayi called on all Traditional Councils and Community Leaders in Awori kingdom, to form a formidable team towards promoting the aged long Aje Olofin festival, resuscitated by the Olofin of Isheri and Adimula of Awori Kingdom, Oba Sulaimon Bamgbade.
He said the Ministry would not relent in promoting and preserving the tradition of the people, promising that the Ministry would integrate the festival into the cultural calendar, recognising it as an Awori event.
In his remarks, Oba Bamigbade said the Festival had now come to stay and would be celebrated annually, saying that, it was more than just a ritual but it brings commercial emancipation and continued prosperity to the axis and a testament to the community's identity.
While commending the present administration's commitment in recognising the cultural importance of the festival, Oba Bamigbade emphasised the importance of preserving cultural practices in the face of modernisation.
The highlights of the festival was the appeasement ritual dedicated to the deity Yemoja and the Aje Olofin deity which was invoked to bless the community with continued economic abundance.
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