Some cultural enthusiasts in Epe Division of Lagos State have said that festivals could serve as a catalysts for rapid socioeconomic development, if properly harnessed.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria in a separate interviews in Epe on Thursday that national festivals had helped to bring about cultural integration.
According to the respondents, cultural exchanges help in promoting unity, love, peace and harmony among several ethnic groups in the country and therefore should be encouraged.
Oba Shefiu Adewale, the Olu Epe of Epe Kingdom, recalled that the just concluded ‘Kayokayo Festival’, celebrated in Epe had helped to strengthen communal relationship between the people of ‘Eko Epe’ and Ijebu Epe’.
“These were the two diverse communities we have in ancient Epe town and we are now more united sequel to these cultural fiestas.
“The Kayokayo Festival has helped to integrate the two communities together and it has further helped to promote peace and unity among the people of the ancient community,” the Oba said.
Also speaking, Mrs Olushola Alade-Raji, said that festivals could be used to boost the socioeconomic status of a community.
She said that the annual Kayokayo Festival, for instance, has helped in no small measure to bolster the socioeconomic activities of Epe community.
Alade-Raji mentioned some of the beneficiaries of the festival to include commercial drivers, traders, hoteliers, fast food vendors, market women and local manufacturers, among several others.
Mr Tajudeen Abass, Coordinator of the Kayokayo Festival, said: ” In a community where love and unity exist, there would be progress and improvement in their socio-economic lives.”
He stated that Kayokayo Festival was one of the iconic festivals celebrated by the people of Epe Kingdom.
“Epe is enriched with a cultural gallery and the only way we can leverage on this is to harness it for the benefit of the community.
“There is no better way we can tell our stories than to fall back on our culture which is our way of life, the key to our development.
”It is also a platform to consolidate and foster the economic and political aspect of our great community.”
Ms Surah Animashaun, Chairman, Epe Local Government, said that the council would for the first time be hosting the 2021 World Tourism Day in Epe on Sept. 27.
“The celebrations will serve as an avenue to project Epe tourism potentials to the world and it will also attract the influx of tourists into Epe community.
“I am a lover of tourism and I will ensure that during my tenure, Epe tourism endowments will be projected into the world map,” she said.
