By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Ogun State government has reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming private sectors who are willing to promote and preserve the traditions and cultural heritage of every towns and villages in the state.

The State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, stated this at the installation of the promoter of Egbaliganza, Chief Lai Labode as the Balogun of Ijaye, Abeokuta, at the weekend.

Fagbayi, while commending the influence and impact of Egbaliganza during the last Lisabi Festival, held Abeokuta, posited that it has not just boosted the local economy, but also put state and Egbaland in the limelight for cultural heritage preservation.

He assured of government’s willingness to welcome ideas from private entities or individuals that will promote and preserve the cultural heritage and traditions of Yoruba land.

He said,” I’m here today to represent the Governor Of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to felicitate with the new Balogun of Ijaye. I’m not surprised because I knew around October last year, when they came to seek for our support on the Egbaliganza project.

“We welcome them, and since then, we have been working together on the actualization of the Lisabi Day this year, which surprised every one of us for putting up that programme within a short period. I say congratulations to you once again.

“You, being a Balogun of Ijaye today, shows that you are capable of moving the community forward, moving Egbaland forward and moving Ogun State forward.

“He has also been cooperating with us in terms of cultural heritage, festivals and all things that have to do with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and we promise to always support them as they support us”

In his remark, the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo described the new Balogun of Ijaye as an illustrious son of Egbaland, who has not only put Egba cultural heritage in the limelight, repositioning the ‘first’ of Egba to the world.

Alake, who was represented by Chief Seriki of Egbaland High Chief Tosin Fadare, tasked the new Balogun of Ijaye not to relent in his efforts in promoting the tradition and culture of Egbaland and Ogun State, praying for good health and a long life of reigns.

In his acceptance speech, the newly installed Balogun of Ijaye, Chief Lai Labode, admitted that he was inspired by the Alake of Egbaland, who urged him to re-embrace the new first in Egbaland.

He disclosed that federal government is already enhancing the cultural heritage of Yoruba land. It is a partnership that the federal government is doing with all states of the federation.

He added that he would to be working with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, to set the pace for a new time for Africa where Africa deserves to have at least $500billion fashion economy.

“Come 2026, Egbaligaza, in Egbaland, will sign a new charter for Africa. There would be a confederation of African fashion charter to be signed in Egbaland. The Nigeria Fashion Federation charter would be signed, and we would establish the first fashion Olympics in the world, so that quite a bit coming out from Ijaye, coming out from Egbaland and, of course, all of this is for Africa.

“We are inspired by the Alake of Egbaland, who has continued to preach for all sons and daughters of Egbaland to come back home and create new first for Egbaland. Ijaye are very special people and have taken charge of creating new first for Egbaland and when you create first for Egbaland, by extension you create first for Ogun State, you create first for Nigeria and you create first even for Africa.

“Ijaye is a very special place in the heart of the Almighty God, and it is time for the light of Ijaye to shine first, not just for Egbaland but for Ogun State, Nigeria and Africa, so I’m quite excited”.

“The federal government is already enhancing the cultural heritage of Yoruba land, it is a partnership that the federal government is doing with all states of the federation and we’re going to be working with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy to set the pace for a new time for Africa where Africa deserves to have at least the $500billion fashion economy.”

He submitted that “those who are conscious of how history would remember them, they’re more likely to behave better and give more when it comes to service to the community, and that’s what Ijaye stands for, and that’s what Egbaland stands for”