The Governor of Oyo State Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, has expressed the hope that in line with his administration’s zeal to expand the state’s economy through tourism, the Igbo Ora Festival of Twins and Multiple Births will be promoted to gain World Heritage Site.
Governor Makinde stated this on Saturday, while speaking at the annual World Twins Festival, themed; “Twinning for Love, Unity and National Economic Reorientation,” held at the Methodist Grammar School, Igbo Ora.
The governor said that his government would continue to promote the festival because of its uniqueness and importance to Ibarapaland and Oyo State in general.
Governor Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Bayo Lawal, pledged his government’s continuous support for the festival to attract more investors, stating that this would be achieved through improvement of facilities and creation of an enabling environment needed for tourism to thrive in the state.
The event was organised by the Igbo Ora Community and Ibarapa Central Local Government in conjunction with Oyo State Government and the Twins World Creation Intercontinental.
Governor Makinde said: “What we are doing today is something that is worth celebrating. You can see that we have a lot of people who came here from far and wide for this event.
Also in his address, the Olu of Igbo Ora, Oba Jimoh Titiloye, appreciated Governor Makinde for promoting the twins festival as a platform for tourism and an avenue for the expansion of the state’s economy.
Oyo State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the festival is unique, as it has incorporated twins from all the geopolitical zones in the state, with the target of entering the Guinness Book of World Records and also being enlisted by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
He added that the festival has promoted culture and tourism in the state, urging residents of Ibarapaland to embrace the festival and accommodate all the states in Nigeria.
In their speech, the Twins Festival Consultants & Initiators, Ambassador Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye, also appreciated Governor Makinde for being a lover and promoter of creative and innovative cultural adventures and tourism.
According to the Ibadan born Oguntoye Twins, Empherical facts point to Oyo State as the World Centre of Multiple births, three (3) of the major specific indices make Oyo State the World Centre of Twins namely; Oyo Town (Ejire Ara Asokun), Oko Town (Where are first triplets where born) and Igbo-ora (The Land of Twins)
They further added that this celebration happening today is tagged “Twins Pilgrimage “. Alot of people travel to Mecca, Jerusalem for pilgrims exercise. We also want twins, multiple birth lovers of multiple births, friends & family of multiple births to come and experience this concept as a form of creative tourism.
Excitement was obvious on the faces of participating twins at the event. The Moshood Twin brothers said they feel so blessed to be born together and it is a unique experience for them to visit Igbo-Ora for the first time as this is their first experience of the festival “we will never miss any edition” was their conclusion.
Mrs Olawale , who attended the festival with her twin kids said she can feel the joy in her twins as they see other Oba Omo.
In their own view, Taiwo & Kehinde Oladapo, the twin sisters who are Igboora indigene, appreciated the organizer for putting up this great event to celebrate among our fellow twins & seeing multiple births from other states joining in the celebration.
Adeleke twin sisters expressing their joy of attending the festival consequently for the past 3 years saying “our attire yearly stand us out; alot of media outfits will want to snap our picture for new report they concluded”.
Highlights of the event include unveiling of twins’ statue at Igbotikale Roundabout; Igbo Ora Twins’ Parade; Twins’ Talent Show and Twins’ Appellation, among others.
The event had in attendance traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and top government functionaries, tourists among others.
