pannigeriannews 
By Sunday Adepoju
As the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival begins today, the ancient and legendary city once again takes centre stage as a beacon of culture, tradition and communal aspiration. Packaged under the 25-Year Development Agenda of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, the carnival is designed not merely as a celebration but as a strategic platform to project the rich heritage of Ogbomoso to the global arena.
Ogbomoso is blessed with illustrious sons and daughters scattered across the world, excelling in business, technology, sports, entertainment, education and other critical sectors. The Cradles Carnival seeks to harness this vast human capital, reconnect the diaspora with their roots and channel collective strength towards the socio-economic advancement of Ogbomosoland.
Since its maiden edition last year, the carnival has continued to gain traction, earning recognition from the Federal, State and Local Governments, as well as attracting international attention. This growing acceptance dwells on the relevance of the initiative as a viable culture and development enterprise, capable of positioning Ogbomoso as a major cultural-tourism destination in Nigeria.
For the people of Ogbomoso, the carnival represents a highly anticipated convergence of culture, history, unity and development. It is a moment when tradition meets modern aspirations, and when the past is celebrated as a foundation for the future. Beyond colourful displays, music and pageantry, the event is expected to stimulate economic activities, promote local enterprise and strengthen social bonds within the community.
However, beyond cultural celebration and economic transformation, a critical issue that the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival must address is unity, particularly among the traditional institutions. The need for harmony and cooperation among royal fathers in Ogbomosoland cannot be overemphasised. Since ascending the throne of his forebears, Oba Olaoye has demonstrated uncommon leadership by hitting the ground running and extending hands of fellowship to other traditional rulers, with the singular objective of fostering communal progress.
Unity among the Obas should not be negotiable. In fact, in the pre-colonial era, traditional institutions served as the backbone of governance. They settled disputes, protected their territories and, in many cases, funded as well as administered their communities. Their authority and cohesion were central to stability and development.
In the contemporary Ogbomoso today, how much more impactful would it be if all top traditional rulers in the land rallied the Soun, embracing a shared vision and focusing collectively on the development of the land, just as the Soun has consistently done? Such unity would send a powerful signal of purpose, strengthen communal trust and accelerate development efforts across the zone.
The commencement of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival, therefore, serves as a clarion call to all traditional institutions to rise above differences, come together in unity and front a common agenda for the development of Ogbomosoland. Culture thrives best where there is harmony, and development is fastest where leadership speaks with one voice. As the carnival commences, the hope is that it will not only celebrate Ogbomoso’s glorious heritage but also inspire renewed commitment to unity, progress and a shared future for all.
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