Oronna Festival Holds Key to Economic Growth and Unity — Senator Yayi

Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi, representing Ogun West Senatorial District, has emphasized that the Oronna Ilaro Festival has the potential to drive community economic growth and foster unity if strategically packaged and harnessed. Speaking at the grand finale of the 32nd edition of the festival in Ilaro, he described cultural celebrations like Oronna as powerful tools for tourism promotion and socio-economic development.

Senator Yayi, who spoke at the grand finale of the 32nd Oronna festival in Ilaro on Saturday, said he remained an enthusiast of the culture in its various forms particularly when it encourages tourism development and ultimately socio economic development as typified by the tourism festival of Oronna.

He praised Governor Dapo Abiodun’s support for tourism development in Ogun State, particularly the Oronna Ilaro Festival.

Senator Adeola commended the Governor’s efforts in promoting festivals in the state, saying it has contributed to the holistic development of Ogun State.

He also acknowledged the Olu Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, for sustaining and growing the festival since his ascension to the throne in 2012.

He said, “let me place it on record that in all ways possible I am an enthusiast of our culture in its various forms particularly when it encourages tourism development and ultimately socio economic development as this tourism festival of Oronna, the legendary and mythological warrior hero of Ilaro, has turned out to be, particularly in its recent editions.

“I have no doubt that when properly harnessed and packaged, aspects of our culture are catalysts to community economic development as well as promotion of a desired unity.”

Senator Adeola highlighted his contributions to the development of his senatorial district, including the completion of over 300 infrastructure projects, such as road construction, healthcare, education, and security.

He also highlighted his role in facilitating the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to a Federal University of Technology, and his pledge to turn his senatorial district into a “small London”.

The Senator expressed his commitment to continuing to work with Governor Abiodun to develop Ogun State and support the Renew Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Let me salute our dear Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, for his support for tourism development through promotion of different festivals in the state including Oronna Ilaro Festival. I am sure that your support is targeted at a holistic development of all aspects of our state.

“In the primary areas of security, your programmes in support of the security agencies has led to a violence- free- state and drastic reduction in criminal activities. You stand commended, Your Excellency, for your construction projects in the area of roads, hospitals and educational institutions across the state with a flagship project in the area of aviation through the construction and commissioning of the Gateway Cargo Airport at Iperu.

“In this senatorial district many laudable works stand to your credit like the work on Ilaro General Hospital nearby, the Owode- Idiroko Road, the llaro-Owode Road and many others which portrays you as a non-sectional governor with the interest of all Ogun State at heart. My heartfelt prayer for you always is for God Almighty to be your strength, your guide and counselor in all that you do. There is no doubt that your policies and programmes are complimentary of that of the Renew Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level.

“On my part, I have attracted development projects to complement the good work of the governor in the state in my senatorial district and beyond in the area of road construction, health care, educational institutions, security and empowerment. In over two years, I have facilitated the completion of about 300 infrastructure projects.

“These includes over 115 road construction projects, construction of 30 School buildings, 32 Primary Health Care Centres, 25 modern markets, 13 Town Halls, 10 ICT Centres, 2 Intensive Care Units, 2 Libraries and 8 Police Stations. Other facilitate projects includes donation and installation of over 200 Electric Transformers, 250 Solar Street Light Projects of some 26,000 poles and personal commitment to repair and upgrade 10 major electric infrastructures affecting about 100 communities in perennial and months long black out in Ogun West and Beyond.”