Osun festival to hold in August, despite pollution of sacred river – State govt

The 2021 Osun festival billed for August would go on as scheduled despite the pollution of the Osun River, caused by gold mining activities in the Ijesa axis of the state.

This was made known by Adetoyi Michael Adeyinka, House Committee Chairman on Culture and Tourism in the state, during an unscheduled visit to the Osun Grove by the Committees on Environment, Sanitation, Culture and Tourism of the state.

Adeyinka said “the ongoing mining activities will in no way affect the traditional heritage of Osun and it will not also affect the annual Osun festival.

“I am certain that before the festival kicks off, we will be witnessing tremendous improvements and the environment will have been taken care of.”

Adeyinka explained that both committees were working together to ensure everything is in good shape before the latter part of the year.

While revealing that the Osun River is a means of attraction for both foreign and local tourists, he maintained that gold mining activities have grossly polluted the waterway and there was a need for legislation to urgently ensure that the government’s intention with regards to tourism will not be truncated.

“Osun State House of Assembly has been informed and that is the reason for this oversight visit to see things for ourselves so that we will know which direction to come from in the proposed legislation.

“I am sure with this, there will be controls in such a manner that the objectives of government and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will be achieved.”