The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, on Sunday, appointed a 15-member committee to organise a culturally rich tourism event, aimed at highlighting the traditions and heritage of the ancient town.

During the inauguration of the committee at the palace in Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye emphasised that the committee’s primary objective was to strategise and implement a wide range of events and activities.

These initiatives are aimed at fostering socio-economic growth, enriching cultural heritage, and drawing both local and international tourists to Ogbomoso land.

The monarch said the development was part of his 25-year development plan which aimed at transforming Ogbomosoland into a model city.

The committee headed by a former Special Assistant to the President on Media, Williams Adeleye, also have a former member of the House of Representatives, Segun Odebunmi; Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade; Akinwole Akinwale; Bisi Michael; Oladejo Akanni; Nike Olugbodi; Kareem Adebayo; Fisayo Alabi; Tunde Ige; Samuel Bolanta; Janet Akintoyinbo; Victoria Olojede and others as members.

In his remark, the chairman of the committee, Adeleye, said, “Ogbomosoland is endowed with a unique and rich cultural heritage that, if fully harnessed, has the potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of the city.

“There is virtually no family compound in Ogbomosoland, from my little research, that has no unique tradition, be it Egungun; deity, ijala, Oroo, etc. Even Soun’s palace is a repository of a tourist site.

“In the creative industry, Ogbomoso men and women, old and young, are making their marks, making Ogbomoso proud in the money-spinning industry. Talk of Baba Lere Paimo (Ogbori elemoso) Kolawole Ajeyemi, Kunle Afolabi, 9ice, Laolu Gbenjo, Dunsin Oyekan to mention a few, are notable faces in the Nigerian creative industry. Our food, amala and gbegiri, eko yangan (Pap), bean snacks (Akara Ogbomoso), as well as our unique agricultural products (mangoro ogbomoso, cassava and cashew), are much sought after by people from other towns and cities across the country and in the diaspora.

“Organising cultural and tourism such as the one conceived by our revered King, has the potential of attracting local and foreign investors to tap into the inherent agricultural value chain thereby creating jobs and stimulating increased economic activities in our land.”