- Safiu Kehinde
The Oyo State Government has vowed to promote the annual twins festival in Igboora, in quest to secure United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) cultural heritage status.
The state’s governor, Seyi Makinde, made this promise during the 2024 World Twins Festival, held at Methodist Grammar School, Igbo Ora.
Represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, at the event, themed “Twinning for Love, Unity and National Economic Reorientation,” Makinde highlighted the festival’s uniqueness and importance to Ibarapa land and Oyo State.
He disclosed that the government planned to expand the state’s economy through tourism, developing necessary infrastructure to support the festival’s growth.
Makinde urged parents of twins and multiple births to provide proper care and guidance, enabling them to achieve their life goals.
In the same vein, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, noted the festival’s incorporation of twins from all geopolitical zones, targeting Guinness World Records and UNESCO intangible cultural heritage listing.
He said that the festival had already promoted culture and tourism in the state, with Olatunbosun encouraging Ibarapa land residents to embrace the event and welcome participants from all Nigerian states.
The celebration featured various attractions, including: twins’ statue unveiling, twins’ parade, twins’ talent show and twins’ appellation.