Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, on Saturday, said his administration will continue to explore effective partnership with Ile-Ife to develop the tourism potential of the historic town for the socioeconomic development of the state.

He made this disclosure while speaking at the House of Oduduwa Palace, Ile-Ife, during the celebration of the 2026 Olojo festival.

Adeleke, who was represented by his deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, described Olojo as a celebration that connects the present generation to the wisdom, heritage and tradition handed down by our forefathers, saying, “It is a time to remember where we came from to honour our ancestors and to reaffirm the values and traditions that have sustained our people across generations.

Commending the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for attracting wider and global recognition to the festival as a strong heritage of Ife and Yorubaland, the governor stated: “This government appreciates this leadership and will continue to regard the palace as a strategic partner in efforts to develop Osun as a major cultural and tourism destination.

“Our culture is one of our greatest assets if properly preserved and presented to the world. Our heritage can become a powerful driver of tourism, employment, enterprise, and investment.

“Ile-Ife has what many destinations across the world will consider priceless. It has history, sacred sites, monuments, principles, traditional infusions, arts, crafts, and cultural identities that cannot be replicated anywhere else.

“What we must therefore do is to preserve these assets while creating responsible and sustainable ways of allowing more people to experience them. Under the leadership of His Imperial Majesty, Olojo has continued to receive wider recognition and has become an important platform of our cultural expression, tourism and economic opportunity, “Adeleke remarked.

He, however, commended Oba Ogunwusi for the statesmanship and fatherly role played in maintaining peace and encouraging the people to participate responsibly in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Osun.

“I must also use this opportunity to acknowledge your leadership and support of the people of Ile-Ife during the recent governorship election in Osun State, “Adeleke stressed.