Diaspora ‌‌‌‍‍⁠⁠‍‍‌‍‍‌⁠‌group partners Oyo State to promote Yoruba culture, tourism

By Ibukun Emiola

An international cultural organisation, Conexiones Culturales de Latinoamérica (CCLA), has initiated talks to strengthen cultural, tourism and economic ties between Oyo State and Yoruba communities across Latin America, the Caribbean and North America.

This is contained in a formal letter signed by CCLA Executive Director, Mr Pablo Solís Vega, addressed to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi.
A copy of the letter was made available to newsmen by the Mandate Group  Coordinator, My Kayode Adebayo, on Thursday in Ibadan.
Vega said that the proposed collaboration would create opportunities for cultural exchange, heritage tourism, educational programmes and investment in the creative industries.
“Millions of people of African descent across the three regions maintain historical, cultural and ancestral connections to the Yoruba civilisation, making Oyo State strategically important in reconnecting the global Yoruba family with its ancestral homeland.
“And the state has a considerable potential to become a global centre for cultural exchange, heritage tourism and creative economic development,” the director said.
Vega said that CCLA was particularly interested in using its international networks to promote Yoruba cultural identity and raise awareness of Oyo State’s heritage and economic opportunities.
According to the director, possible areas of collaboration include international cultural exchange programmes, festivals, tourism initiatives, music and arts partnerships, as well as creative industry investments.
He said that the organisation would explore the proposed initiatives with Adekanmbi’s administration should he emerge as governor.
It added that the partnership could help position Oyo State as a gateway for international cultural and economic engagement while strengthening connections between Yoruba people across continents.
CCLA also expressed support for Adekanmbi’s governorship ambition, wishing him success at the polls. (NAN)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni