• Visits Osun-Osogbo sacred grove

Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The Director General, Voice of Nigeria, VON, Jubrin Baba Ndace has called for collaboration between the agency and traditional rulers in the country to the nation’s rich cultural diversity.

Speaking at the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji’s palace in Osogbo, he disclosed that traditional rulers being the custodians of culture and tradition are in a better position to sell the beauty of Nigeria to the world.

According to him, the UNESCO-recognised Osun-Osogbo grove and the festival project rich Nigerian culture and should, through partnership with VON, be projected more on the global map.

“Since I assumed duty as the DG, I have been focusing on repositioning Voice of Nigeria, and part of my drive is to go down to meet with my staff and colleagues who are in the zonal offices within Nigeria and especially in Osogbo the Southwest Zonal office because of the historical position of the town.

“The town is not just for the Yoruba race, it is for the entire people of the world. I decided to visit you and I have also visited important places like the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove endorsed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2005.

“We will use VON’s platform to promote the traditional institutions of the town and all other unique cultural activities of the people. The purpose of this collaboration would be to tell the good stories emanating from the state and also to present Osogbo as a tourism hub that people around the world would want to come and experience.

“I’m determined with my team to be delibrate and intentional about sharing good stories about Nigeria and Africa and the only way we can do it is to say that if you come to Nigeria and you come to Osogbo there is something special you can see.

Responding, The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji lauded the DG’s effort to repositioning VON as well as his commitment to promoting the culture, traditions of the people of Osogbo and Nigerians generally.

Oba Oyetunji prayed for the success of the DG, the Minister of Information, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria as a whole.