Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, has described the Ijakadi Festival of Offa people in Kwara as a socio-cultural event capable of uplifting the socio-economic fortune of the community.
Muhammed declared this in Offa on Thursday at the 2022 Ijakadi Day festival.
Represented by Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Kwara Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), the minister congratulated the Offa people for sustaining the festival.
Muhammed said the event was a demonstration of love, commitment and loyalty, expressing optimism that the next Ijakadi festival will be bigger than today.
Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, described the festival as a celebration of culture and the rich heritage of this unique community of valiant people.
The governor was represented by his Commissioner for Energy, Mr Femi Whyte, at the event.
“Offa people are hard working, brave and self-reliant. Offa people are self-driven. These are the great qualities that continue to define you and your place in not just Kwara State but Nigeria as a whole.
“Our administration identifies with the rich culture of our peoples — from the Durbar in Ilorin, Awon in Shao, Ganni in Batonu speaking areas of Kwara North, Regatta in Nupe speaking axis, and Ijakadi Festival here in Offa, among many others.
“These are rich traditions which speak to the histories and aspirations of our peoples. We will continue to identify with and promote these rich cultures as a strategy to keep the legacies of our forebears evergreen,” AbdulRazaq said.
He said one of the signature projects, the Visual Arts Centre, has been conceived to promote the state’s rich heritage as a people.
“We want to bring people from across the world to appreciate our beautiful culture, our unique artworks, and our great artefacts and talents. The project will encourage a rich exchange of cultures and in turn boost the local economy along eco-tourism value chains,” he said.
The Oloffa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, said the celebrations were ancient and the history of their origins veiled in the mystics of the past.
“But the true meaning it brings forth is timeless and will never be aged in as much as we continue to stay true to our traditions and culture amidst overwhelming civilisation and modernisation.
“The fundamental culture of ‘Equity, fairness and Justice’ must be sustained and passed down to the next generation in order for them to be in tune with their root and lineage, and this cultural fiesta will not only help us achieve that feat but also improve our community’s image projection to the world,” Oba Gbadamosi said.
The President of Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Alhaji Muideen Salako, appealed to the Kwara Government to incorporate ljakadi Festival as part of the state Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism annual work plan and activities.
He explained that, if incorporated by the Kwara government, it has a high potential of boosting the economy of Offa local government and the state at large, adding that it will also ensure sustainability and continuity of the ljakadi festival.
The Oloffa of Offa later won the symbolic wrestling match between him and Eesa, Chief Yunusa Oyewale, his highest ranking chief at the grand finale. (NAN)
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