PHOTO NEWS: Sango Festival holds first celebration under new Alaafin
The annual Sango Festival in Oyo has taken on added significance this year, marking its first celebration under the reign of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, and the second since its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, officially presented the UNESCO World Heritage Certificate of Inscription to the Alaafin and the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, during the festival.
Musawa described the recognition as a cultural milestone, not only for Oyo State but for Nigeria and Africa as a whole. She commended the past leadership of the ministry, as well as the Oyo State Government, for their dedication to securing the inscription.
The Minister also paid tribute to the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, noting that his vision and commitment were instrumental in achieving the UNESCO honour.
“The UNESCO World Heritage inscription gives the Sango Festival global recognition, ensuring its relevance for future generations while firmly placing Nigeria on the world’s cultural map,” Musawa stated.
She added that festivals such as the Sango Festival play a vital role in preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and fostering national pride and identity.
The recognition, she said, also places a collective responsibility on Nigerians to protect, promote, and celebrate cultural traditions as a source of inspiration for future generations.
The Sango Festival, one of the oldest and most vibrant cultural celebrations in Nigeria, continues to draw thousands of participants and tourists each year to Oyo, where it showcases the history, spirituality, and artistry of the Yoruba people.
