Igbo-Ora, the famous town in Oyo state known for its highest concentration of twins and multiple births in the world was agog over the weekend as dignitaries from all walks of life stormed the town for the annual World Twins festival. The event which is usually held at the second weekends of October of every year has further unveiled the tourism potentials abundant in the town.
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde who led the state functionaries to attend this year festival was excited to associate with the unique beings, stated the readiness of his administration to add tourism as a major plank of its economic expansion agenda.
Governor Makinde, who declared that the Twins Festival has a great tourism potential for Ibarapaland and Oyo state , said that the government would do everything possible to make the zone a tourists’ destination.
“Today, we have come to celebrate with the twins and I am very happy to be here. But I must say that today’s festival is beyond celebrating the towns. We are talking about the potential for tourism from the event.
“Let me also add that we will expand the pillar on expansion of our economy. Before, we were talking about agribusiness, and now we will add Tourism.”
Earlier, Initiators of the Twins Festival, Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye, stated that they will project Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole to the world as the place with the highest number of multiple births, noted that it is one of the major aims of the project.
They stated this during the annual World Twins Festival, organised by Twins World Creations in conjunction with Igbo-Ora community, and the State government.
“Our aim is to project Nigeria particularly Oyo State to the world as the country and state that have highest number of multiple births. Twins factor can attract people and also contribute to the growth and development of a town.
“World Twins festival is an opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of multiple births. We have demonstrated that twins can be used
to drive destination and that is what you’re seeing in Igbo-Ora. We are focusing on two things this year; for economy recovery from the havocs caused by COVID-19 and to celebrate the lifetime of Alaafin of Oyo. He was a strong pillar of support for this program. He was our life grand patron and the festival was kick started in his palace.
While rolling out the history of the festival they said “This festival started as 9ja Twins Festival about twelve years ago , it metamorphosized to Naija Twin Festival. We thought of rebranding it to a world global acceptability. That is why we have World Twins Festival”, the most famous twins stated.
For them, the celebration cannot end and the recognition bestowed on them by the government especially on Igbo-Ora town which is now described as a pilgrimage ground for twins is one that has made it important for them to ensure the sustenance of the festival.
“Igboora has the highest number of twins in the world, that is why we have deemed it fit to be celebrating the festival here every year whereby twins, multiple births and the families of twins would come together to celebrate.”
They lauded Engr. Seyi Makinde for gracing the World Twins Festival 2022, adding that he is the first elected Governor to identify with such a programme in Africa.
They equally asked the governor to initiate a policy to support twins and families with multiple births.
Also, the Paramount ruler of Igbo-Ora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, the Olu of Igbo-Ora who appreciated the Governor for associating with the festival , rolled out statistics of the known facts about the town and calls for support for the development of the town for tourism.
The festival which was put together by Twins World Creations in conjunction with Igbo-Ora Community and Oyo State government also featured some activities from Thursday where different sets of twins played local twins games at the town hall while on Friday different religious prayers were offered.
The climax of the festival at the grand finale was the Special tribute to the Late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Dr. Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III. While different set of twins thrilled guests with different talents. From the energetic performances of the Gbolarunmi Twins to that of the famous Onibenbe Oru Twins and the state cultural troupe among others.
While reacting to the festival, some sets of Twins who were amazed and happy for participating at the event.
The Adekunle Twins, Adedamola and Adedolapo who said this is their first time of attending the event. According to them ” we came from Ibadan and we must say we weren’t disappointed as this is our first time, we will ensure we don’t miss any edition henceforth. ” Also, the Ademolekun Twins who happened to be the first face of the festival when it started in Ibadan in 2009 said they are happy for the progress the festival has attained. ” we salute the doggedness of the OGUNTOYE Twins for not giving up on the festival.”
The festival also featured the triplets born in the week of the festival. The event were well attended by tourism lovers and stakeholders across board.