Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Monday urged the people of the state to support the state government’s policies and programmes aimed at boosting cultural festivals in the state.

Aregbesola made the call during the “Iwo-Popo ceremony” which signals the beginning of the annual Osun Osogbo festival at the place of the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun.

Aregbesola, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mrs Taiwo Oluga, thanked the Ataoja and indigenes of Osogbo for their support of government.

He said the people had been supportive and cooperative with his administration, especially in the area of peace and security which had ensured stability in the state.

Responding, the Ataoja of Osogboland, thanked the government for the massive infrastructure development in Osogbo in the last seven years.

He pledged his loyalty to the Aregbesola administration and assured the governor of sustenance of peace in the ancient town.

The monarch also commiserated with the governor over the demise of his mother and prayed that God grants her eternal rest.

(NAN)