The fifth edition of the Aso-Ofi Festival commenced on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in the ancient Iseyin town with a carnival procession of the weavers around major areas of the town.
The carnival which preceded the celebration slated for Thursday, December 15, 2022, was witnessed by the Chairman, Iseyin local government, officials of the Oyo State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Iseyin local government, the Oyo State Cultural Troupe and people of Iseyin.
While addressing the weavers at the palace of Aseyin, the Director of Culture at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism who represented the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, said the 2022 edition would be memorable as the state has put necessary inputs into harnessing the tourism sector to improve the state’s economy.
Olatubosun urged the weavers association to continue their support to the state government to access more patronages from the administration.
“We look forward to see many interesting angles to the cultural value in Aso-Ofi in this fifth edition of the festival, tourists at tomorrow’s programme will enjoy memorable views of processions of old, adorable Aso-Ofi types and new ones in different patterns.
His word, “As usual, we have come to give the support of the State government to the weavers and the Iseyin community towards the success of this year’s festival, it promises to be interesting like I said. From the weavers, the State government expects them to continue their support to the State government by contributing their own to the fulfilment of the State administration towards achieving a successful diversification of its source of revenue to include tourism and culture.”
The Chairman of Iseyin local government, Hon Mufutau Abilawon, called on corporate organisations and donor agencies to give support to the annual Aso-Ofi festival, to sustain the tempo created and maintained by the State government.
Abilawon who was represented by the Leader of the House of the local government, Hon. Sheu Abiodun remarked that the festival, which has received global attention since its inception in 2017 will enter the global calendar of the United Nation.
In their words, the National President of the Iseyin Marketers Association, Alhaja Muraina Kanguan and the Chairman, Alhaja Ariwoola Taiwo appreciated the State government for the usual support towards the festival.
They used the opportunity to enlist the support of Governor Seyi Makinde towards achieving financial emancipation for their members.
