Oronna Ilaro Festival set to raise tourism bar in Ogun State

The Olu of Ilaro, His Royal Majesty Oba Gbadewole Olugbenle has said the 25th Oronna Ilaro Festival billed for 10th to 18th will raise the bar in the tourism sector of Ogun state.

The king, speaking at a news conference in Ikeja, Lagos said the “Festival of Unity” is targeted at attracting the descendants of Ilaro across the world including South and North America to the colourful reception and make their contribution towards the growth and development of Ilaro.

Promoting the cultural heritage of the people of Ilaro, the festival will feature carnival and road show, Igunnuko masquerade parade, colourful gelede display, traditional Efe dance, football competitions and medical checkups.

On Saturday, the festivity will climax with the “Sisi Ilaro Beauty Pageant”, an event where young ladies will compete for a crown.

According to the Oba Olugbenle, the event will not take the shape of a fund-raising campaign as corporate sponsorships deals have been striked with leading telecoms operator, MTN, the Ogun state government and the Federal Ministry of Tourism.

“Since my reign began, we’ve have stopped using the festival as an avenue to raise funds. I find it unnecessary because it scares people away and even those who come tend to make pledges they can’t redeem. This is why we have turned to corporate bodies for partnership,” he said.

Dignitaries expected to grace the occasion include the Governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun and the Dangote Group President Alhaji Aliko Dangote among others.

The Oronna Ilaro festival is an annual festival primarily conceived to preserve, uphold and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ilaro.

Oronna was the mythological hero of Ilaro who distinguished himself in battles against the Dahomeans who were a scourge to the area.

Since its official inaugurated in 1992, the socio cultural festival has strived  to yearly assemble the sons and daughters of Ilaro within and outside the Diaspora with a view to reminding and instilling in them the spirit of brotherhood and a sense of belonging towards the rich cultural heritage of Ilaro land.

The festival has overtime become a major tourist attraction and destination for all in Nigeria and around the world.