Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and the Director-General, Centre for Black Culture and Understanding, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, stated that systematic promotion of the Yoruba arts and craft would restore the glory of the Yoruba nation in the creative world.
The two personalities were guests at the passing out of apprentices of the Abeni Visual and Performing Arts Institute, Iragbiji, Osun State during the week.
The institute was founded by the Eesa of Iragbiji, Chief Muraina Oyelami, who doubles as its artistic director.
Oyelami is a popular artist whose works are sold and celebrated in Europe and America.
The governor, represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Babawale Adebisi, said the Osun State Government was working on a public-private partnership with Sterling Bank to boost tourism and its products.
He said, “On behalf of the government, I have begun meeting with Sterling Bank on how to come up with a workable partnership to bring fortune to our arts with a view to empowering our people who are doing well in that area of production.
“I want the students here to register with the government in order to benefit from that scheme aimed at helping them to sell their works to the outside world.
“The Osun State Tourism Vision 2030 is beyond dance. It is a conscious effort to take our tourism development to higher pedestal.”
Oyeweso, who expressed worries that the Yorubas were fast losing their art and culture, urged the Osun State Government to show commitment by borrowing a leaf from Ogun State which approved ‘adire’ fabrics as official uniform for public schools in the state.
“If I see people like Chief Muraina Oyelami spending their resources on art promotion, I cannot but praise them for their selflessness because without them, it means there is a little hope left in preserving our art and culture for future generation,” he said.
The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi, lauded Oyelami for his initiative. He congratulated the students of the institute and promised to interface with government on their request for seed capital to support their vocations.
Oyelami said the institute was conceptualised about eight years ago to relive the Osogbo Art School of the 60s of which he was a product.
The ceremony was spiced by live performances by the students of the institute.
Also present on the occasion are the Olororuwo of Ororuwa, Oba Qamar Bello, and staff of the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Osogbo.
