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The Oyo State government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Brazilian Government and Centre for Black African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) to promote the cultural heritage of the state and the country as a whole.
This was said by the state commissioner for Information, culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, during his working visit to the Consulate-General of Brazil and Centre for Black African Arts and Civilization in Lagos on Wednesday.
Mr. Arulogun said that Oyo State being the capital of culture in the South West region of Nigeria needs genuine collaborations with both national and international organizations, with inter-cultural similarities that can boost the Yoruba culture.
“We want to establish relationship with the government of Brazil, by bringing on board activities that will strengthen cultural exchange programmes between us and the Yorubas in Brazil. This relationship will not only propagate the rich cultural heritage of the Yorubas, it will also connect some Brazilians to their roots” he said.
The Oyo State spokesman called for partnership with Brazil saying that the similarities between the cultural and spiritual heritage in some parts of Brazil and the Yoruba culture, which is richly displayed in various regions of Oyo State, would ease the burden of a cordial working relationship between the countries.
Arulogun assured the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) of its readiness to support the upcoming fortieth anniversary of Festac 77 in Lagos, saying that, synergy with CBAAC would open a lot of gates for the tourism potentials in the state, and project the state to the world during the festival.
He stressed that the state government was looking forward to a long term relationship with CBAAC for the promotion of the State’s culture and tourism within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
In her response, the Consul-General of Brazil, Mrs. Maria Figueiredo said that the Brazilian government is ready to improve relations with Oyo State, noting that, Brazil is proud of the African culture and holds its Yoruba culture in high esteem.
She noted that the working visit signifies the beginning of a good relationship between the Brazilian government and the government of Oyo State.
Responding, the Director General (CBAAC), Mr. Ferdinand Anikwe promised CBAAC’s commitment to the renewed relationship with the Oyo State Government, stating that “we will not fail in making the partnership work. We are ready for collaboration with the Oyo State government and I can assure you that we have experts in various areas, that will facilitate any aspect of our proficiency which Oyo state government might want to tap from.”