An agenda for Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival new organising committee

An agenda for Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival new organising committee

Femi OGUNLANA

Beyond the exchange of congratulatory banters, the Cultural and Tourism Committee inaugurated Sunday by His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III the Soun of Ogbomosoland, need to work assiduously and with purpose to bequeath an enduring legacy. The committee members under the able leadership of Chief Olusegun Odebunmi must imbibe the spirit of selfless service and be immune to self adulation in the task they are saddled with. They have been called to be a viable engine in the vision to birth a new Ogbomoso, a denser, smart, green, model city, economically buoyant and aesthetically pleasing. They should thus not allow themselves to be carried away by the exuberance of appointment into the committee. Each must have been considered for a slot based on recommendation and antecedent. They should strive to justify the confidence reposed in them.

New ideas, greater focus, more creativity must be brought to bear if they will surpass the achievements of their predecessors though only the headship was changed and few new members incorporated. So, continuity is guaranteed and the experience by members from the inaugural carnival can be leveraged upon. There is no doubt the maiden edition of the carnival was highly successful, floating a greater event is the main challenge now and condition for accolades.

The carnival has immensely projected Ogbomoso, catapulted the community in the cultural and tourism milieu worldwide. But there is need to consolidate towards making the city a tourism destination choice.

The main challenge therefore is to build a permanent location for the carnival, a sort of Carnival Village, that will be its greatest accomplishment. That’s a yawning hole in the desire to elevate the carnival to international standard. Oba Ghandi hinted at its possibility during one of his townhall meetings but pointed out the challenge of land availability. That is surmountable. This is where the committee needs to step up. Approaching the issue meticulously will yield the desired result. Land the size of an hectare or two hectares will do, to build the main bowl, and its perimeter that will contain the concourse ground for procession, space for advertising boards and seating gallery. It will no doubt require huge financial outlay but it will be worth it in the long run. That is where the ingenuity of the committee members will need to come into play. Aside the main pitch, should participating groups be given portions to build their own pavilions or podiums for sitting? The site will be a source of revenue generation. Off carnival season, it can serve as party event centre, crusade venue, concert centre and so on. It will be a multipurpose centre for various events. Also, there will be adjoining shopping complexes/shops that can be lent out during special events.

Such permanent site will enhance the status of the cultural festival and can help earn recognition by the UNESCO, which will stamp an aura of internationality on the carnival. In addition, it will ward off overzealous individuals’ penchant to attempting to hold the carnival to ransom like it happy during the maiden edition. Some interests close to government incidentally from Ogbomoso and opposed to the carnival out of petty jealous attempted to use the Ministry of Youths and Sports to thwart the event by issuing a directive to decline the use of the stadium. The subterfuge almost succeeded before the governor was reached who “overruled every objection” at the last minute. Subsequently, similar experiences had unfolded when strenuous efforts were made to deny use of government properties to host events initiated by the Soun.

The work of the Cultural and Tourism Committee is thus set – Acquisition of a permanent site for the carnival and hosting of a more superb event in December! Over to you the Okanlomo of Ogbomosoland whose loyalty to the Soun throne, cause of Ogbomosoland as a whole, has remained unquestionable. Also, Dr. Oladejo Akanni, Mr. Muyiwa Oke, Engr. Tunde Ige, Mrs Mosunmola Olojede, Prince Oyebamiji Oyedeji, Mr. Boluwaji Ige, Mrs Toyin Ajani, Hon. Bisi Oluranti, Fisayo Alabi, Pa Afolabi Olaniran, Adedokun Sijuade, Benedit Ayoola, Olori Nike Olugbodi, Banji Ojo, Mr. Gbile Adeomi; Barr. Bayo Kareem, Mrs Motunrayo Babatunde, Mrs. Lateefat Modupe Lamidi and Mrs. Eyinoye Wande, the ball is equally in your court.

You all have this fantabulous mission to accomplish. After all, your names will be inscribed in the proposed Carnival Village’s plaque as well as those of the contributors to its construction.

In a year of the existence of the 13 committees inaugurated by Oba Ghandi to midwife the Ogbomosoland 25 year-development agenda, it’s undeniable that the Cultural and Tourism Committee has been the most visible and with the best turnover so far, let it “kill” it with this new responsibility.

That is an agenda worth considering.