Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde has assured that before the end of 2024, it will partner reliable investor that can face-lift Festival of Arts and Culture Center, Mokola hilltop, Ibadan.
The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatubosun, gave the assurance during a briefing on Isese day celebration and World Sango festival 2024, held at the centre.
According to the commissioner, numbers of investors have shown interest in bringing back its past glory of promoting and preserving Yoruba culture and arts.
He further said that all traditionalists will on August 20th converge at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan for Grand Finale of Isese day that will be celebrated in all zones of Oyo State between August 10th and 16th.
The commissioner also said that World Sango Festival that was recently approved for inclusion in the UNESCO list will be celebrated in grand style at Aafin Oyo, Oyo Town, 10am daily from 8-17 August 2024.
Dr. Olatubosun added that part of the events lineup by Ministry of Culture and Tourism the Festival, is a symposium to celebrate an icon of theatre, Duro Ladipo, at his Bode Wasimi residence in Ibadan on Tuesday, 13 August 2024.
On her part, Cultural Ambassador to Alaafin, Dr Paula Gomes, who said the festival to showcase cultural heritage, would witness participants from home and abroad include envoys from Portugal, Cuba, Brazil, Spain and other diplomatic communities from the diaspora.
Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde had in August 2023, approved 20th of August as a public holiday in Oyo State in honour of Isese Day which had hitherto been set aside by traditional adherents as a day of worship annually.