Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Oyo State government has directed residents in the state especially students in private and pubic schools as well as workers in the state to turn out in indigenous attire on Monday, May 22nd in commemoration of 2017 World Culture Day.

The government also enjoined people across the state to celebrate the World Culture Day not only by wearing our traditional clothes but also join in this celebration by eating our indigenous food, play our traditional games and listen to our local music, emphasizing that it is the collective responsibility of all and sundry to promote our cultural norms, heritage and values.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, who announced the directive at the weekend at a press conference to intimate the general public about activities lined up to mark the day, said circulars had been issued to secondary schools, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to communicate the directive of government.

He said, "Oyo State, being the center of Yoruba race and civilization, must be seen to celebrate the World Culture Day in a unique way and that is why the State Government has directed that all students, workers and interested corporate organizations as well as private business owners to wear our traditional clothing on Monday to celebrate the day.”

He added that the celebration would commence on Sunday, May 21st with sensitization, enlightenment programmes and visits to cultural icons.  

He stated that the next day will witness a cultural carnival train across the city of Ibadan, saying that this would dovetail into a series of cultural activities at the Cultural Center, Mokola, Ibadan.

The Commissioner explained that the activities include art, crafts, fashion exhibitions plus a beauty pageant 'Awelewa Ojurabesa' for ladies with tribal marks, adding that the celebration would also attract traditional cuisine from various cultures.

"Beautiful ladies with tribal marks will be partaking in the fashion parade and the best among them will go home with good prizes. This is in line with the resolve of Governor Ajimobi's administration to promote cultural tourism in the state,” he stressed.

The 2017 World Culture Day is a UNESCO International event slated for the 21st of May every year to promote culture across the globe with this year’s theme as, “Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development."