By Dapo Akinrefon, LAGOS

THE Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, yesterday, urged state and local governments, as well as traditional rulers across the South-West to support the revival and sustenance of cultural festivals.

He made the call while emphasising the dual spiritual and economic benefits of cultural festivals at the 2026 edition of the Grandmothers’ Festival organised by the Olokun Festival Foundation, OFF, in Epe, Lagos.

Similarly, the lawmaker representing Epe Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Abiodun Tobun, stressed the need for the elite in Yorubaland to begin to support cultural festivals because they embody our heritage as a people.

Iba Adams said festivals are not only spiritual celebrations but vital economic drivers that foster cultural preservation, social unity, and community empowerment.

He said: “Spiritually, festivals reinforce cultural identity, communal bonds, and provide platforms for thanksgiving and renewal.

“Economically, they attract tourism, stimulate commerce, create employment, and promote entrepreneurship. For instance, we can see examples in festivals such as the Osun-Osogbo, Ojude-Oba, and Olumo-Lisabi festivals, which generate billions of naira annually.”

Also speaking, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Tobun, commended Adams and the OFF for championing cultural renaissance in Yorubaland and beyond.

He, however, pledged to rally support of the elite and political class in Epe for future festivals to make them more colourful.