Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Oluwasesan Fagbayi, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to preserving African culture and heritage, describing them as viable drivers of economic growth and tourism development.

Fagbayi made this known in Abeokuta after receiving an award for Outstanding Contributions to Cultural Promotion and Tourism Development in Ogun State from the AJE Onire Egba Global Initiative during the 2026 Odun Aje Onire Egba celebration.

The Commissioner noted that African culture and traditions hold significant economic value when properly harnessed, stressing that festivals and heritage events can stimulate tourism, increase visitor traffic and boost local commerce.

“The Aje Festival is an important festival to humanity. It is believed that nobody can survive without Aje, known as the spirit of wealth, prosperity and market profitability,” he said.

He encouraged residents to leverage cultural assets as tools for productive economic advancement, adding that the state government remains intentional about promoting festivals and heritage sites as part of its broader tourism strategy.

Reacting to the recognition, Fagbayi expressed appreciation to the organisers, describing the award as a testament to the collective efforts of government and stakeholders in strengthening cultural and tourism development across the state.

In her remarks, the Iyaloja of Asero Market, Mrs. Kemi Oloyede, commended the current administration for providing equal platforms for different religious and cultural groups to operate freely. She also appreciated the government’s continued support and engagement with market communities.

The celebration featured empowerment initiatives for artisans, market men and women drawn from the six local government areas in the Egba division, underscoring the socio-economic dimension of the festival.

The annual Odun Aje Onire Egba festival is regarded as a major cultural event in the Egba division, blending tradition, commerce and community development.