Fuel subsidy removal won’t affect turn-out at Osun Osogbo festival, Official

<p>The Osun-Osogbo Festival is usually celebrated in an ancient grove believed to be among the last of the sacred forests among Yoruba cities.</p>, <span>Osun Oshogbo Festival</span>, <h2>Aworeni Joseph, the Curator and Site Manager of Osun-Osogbo Groove has said that the removal of the petroleum subsidy will not affect the expected turn-out of tourists and participants at the grand finale of the event on Friday.</h2>, <p>Joseph, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Osogbo, said that all necessary arrangements had been made towards the success of the festival.</p>, <p>“I believe we will have a huge turnout, not minding the subsidy removal.</p>, <p>“People have passion for culture and the Osun-Osogbo festival is an international festival, which usually attracts tourists across the world.</p>, <p>“When there was COVID-19, which caused restriction of movement, even at that, we still had a manageable crowd for the festival.</p>, <p>”I don’t believe the fuel subsidy removal will affect the turnout; I believe the turnout will be greater than last year," he said.</p>, <p>Joseph further explained that the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM) had made necessary arrangements with stakeholders to ensure that the festival is successful.</p>, <p>“The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, who is the chief traditional custodian of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, the Osogbo Heritage Council and the Osun-Osogbo Festival Council, with NCMM are working for the success of the festival.</p>, <p>“The state government has been assisting us and doing a lot of restoration, rehabilitation and preservation works at the groove.</p>, <p>“Stakeholders have also been meeting with security agencies on how the festival and grand finale will succeed.</p>, <p>“With everything done so far, we are prepared for the grand finale and we expect a successful grand finale on Friday,” he said.</p>, <p>The Osun-Osogbo Festival, which history dates back to centuries ago is usually celebrated in an ancient grove bel