ABUJA – The traditional ruler of Iwaro-Oka, Akoko, Ondo, King Stephen Ogunoye, on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to promote local cultural festivals to boost tourism.
Ogunoye said this at a news conference in Abuja to mark the end of the 252th Ukori Annual Festival that took place in the area.
Mr Felix Aponbiede, Youth Leader, Iwaro-Oka Akoko, who spoke on behalf of the monarch, said local festivals remained one of the tourism potentials the government could exploit.
He said that Ukori festival was special because it helped to eliminate diseases among children.
“This is the belief of the local community,” Aponbiede said.
Ogunoye said that the festival also helped to promote peace and unity in the community, notwithstanding religious differences. [eap_ad_1] He said the celebration of Ukori was a continuous attempt to promote the cultural heritage of the people, adding that it had equally boosted the economy of the community.
“Ukori festival is a dramatic performance involving singing, dancing, masquerades parade and traditional prayers for the community.
“Ukori festival is celebrated in appreciation to the god of Ukori hill that helped the community warriors to defeat the opponent in a war,’’ he said.
Ogunoye, however, called on the government to step up its war against the Ebola virus disease.
According to him, everybody should be involved in the fight against the disease as it portends grave danger to humanity.
He called on Nigerians to make their environment clean, adding that since cure had not been found for the virus all hand must be on deck to prevent further spread of the virus.
The traditional ruler also said that 91 masquerades featured at the festival and it witnessed a large turnout of people in and around the state. (NAN)
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