By Richard Elesho/ Lokoja
The Okun speaking people of Kogi State are set to celebrate this year’s Apapo Okun Cultural festival which is expected to kick off first week of November. An indigenes of the area and widely respected artist Chief Mrs Nike Okundaiye of the famous Nike Art Galleries is expected to be the face of the event This is part of efforts to sustain and promote Yoruba culture and traditions. This was disclosed to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday by Mr. Philip Orebiyi, the Curator of the Apapo Okun Cultural Festival.
The tourism promoter, and a former member of Kogi State House of Assembly said the festival seeks to encourage the practice of cultural entertainment to attract tourists to Okun land, which he argued boasts one of the most enlightened cultures in Africa.
“We can boast the unique traditional lineage that might just be second to none in the north central and some south west states where they are found. It is this large untapped reservoir of culture/traditional talents, artistic expression, art and craft, tourism sites that the Apapo Okun Cultural Festival brings to fore during the events,” he said.
Speaking further he noted that the event will bring Okun back to its original national recognition, and it will put jobs in the hands of many and also boost the economic sector and help the revival of the Okun Cultural industry.
The five days event slated for November 1st to 5th will feature activities such as quiz competition among selected secondary schools in Okunland, Food fair with the display of Okun rich delicacies and climbing of Obagongo Hill at Kabba with tourist and visitors who arrives for the festival.
Other events are unveiling the Yeye Oge of Okunland at Lisa Palm Hotel Kabba and the Okun Culture and Tourism fair /Festival which will takes place at Kabba Mini Stadium, Orebiyi disclosed that the former Minister of Police Affairs, General David Jemibewon Rtd will chair the event.