The Oba Apetu, Obatala Ile Ife, Willer Almeida, a cultural Ambassador and Brazilian native has pledged the commitment of Brazilians’ representation and participation in the forthcoming Oyo Unified Egungun Festival and the World Sango Oyo Festival amongst others.
He stated this in Ibadan during a courtesy visit paid to the Office of the state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Ministry, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun.
The visit was part of his familiarization tour of the Western States as the newly crowned Apetu Obatala of the Ile-Ife Kingdom.
The Commissioner, in his response lauded the gesture extended by Oba Almeida and his entourage towards identifying with the cultural heritage, traditions and customs of Oyo State.
Olatubosun further spoke on the efforts of the State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde in creating an enabling environment for tourism to thrive.
He said that the security architecture in the state has placed Oyo foremost amongst other States as a haven of peace. The Interconnectivity of the road network leading to the five geo-political zones in the state also creates a major ease of access to over one hundred and sixty tourist sites located across the state.
The Commissioner also seized the opportunity to talk about some of the sites and monuments and events coming up in the State.
Some of the highlights were Iyake Suspended Lake in Ado Awaye, the only natural lake in the world, Iyamopo and Agbele Hills in Igbeti, Sogidi Lake in Awe, Twins Festival, Igboora, Unified Egungun Festival, and the recently UNESCO approved World Sango Festival, Oyo amongst others.
While speaking, Oba Almeida stated that his mission as a cultural enthusiast from Brazil to Oyo State, is to bring up all the people in the diaspora to keep up the cultural heritage, thus launching Oyo’s image beyond the shores, adding that Brazilians are lovers of tradition.
During the visit, the group was taken on a visit to the popular Oke Layipo known as Bower’s Tower at Oke Are, Ibadan.
The entourage was led by Araba Olatunji and Ayaba Oluwakemi Somorin of the Ile Egbe Efunlase in Brazil.
