Alara 2nd Coronation: ‘Cultural Festivals Impact On Economy Is Same As English Premier League In UK’ – Folarin Coker

By Babatunde Kaka

The DG, NTDC, has said the traditional festivals is impacting the nation’s economy as the English Premier League has been to the United Kingdom’s economy. 

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Mr Folarin Coker has said compared the impact traditional festivals have on the nation’s economy to that which the English Premier League has on the United Kingdom’s Economy.

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Coker said this in an interview with EKO HOT BLOG after commissioning the Aje Festival and the Ancient Alara Palace to mark His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Olukayode Olufolarin Ogunsanwo (JP) second coronation anniversary on the throne on Monday in the heart of Ilara Kingdom in Eredo LCDA of Epe Division, Lagos State.

The tourism development enthusiast acknowledged the significance of traditional festivals in promoting the socioeconomic prosperity of the people of Ilara kingdom, the State and the Nation at large.

He pointed out the impacts of traditional festivals celebrated across the country to be as effective as the English Premier League which has contributed immensely to the growth of Britain.

“Of course, it’s like asking me if football has contributed to the socio-economic development of the United Kingdom. What we have Aje festivals which are a reflection of our socio-cultural origins and it defines us as a people, as blacks, as Nigerians, as Yorubas. They are a set of festivals that defines who you are and therefore, it is something that must not be allowed to die,” he stated.

He charged Nigerians to jealously cherish their growth and always make it a point of duty to partake in traditional festivals across the country in appreciation of their cultural heritage which has been in existence from time immemorial in the stead of watching the English Premier League, EPL, football matches played during the weekends.

He was particularly excited by the decision of the Lagos State Government to reintroduce the teaching and learning of history as a subject across schools.

This, he said would forestall the erosion of the historical leanings of the people and as well prove to be a veritable tool for children and grandchildren to understand the import of festivals such as Aje.

Speaking further, Mr Folarin Coker, who is also an Honourary Chief, Baba Eto, in the Ilara Kingdom, expressed delight at being instrumental in the reconstruction of the old Alara palace and the Aje Pavillion, stressing that he was inspired to put the historic monuments in shape, as they are both a stone’s throw from each other.

“The seat of the Alara of Ilara is the oldest in Lagos and to now allow the original palace which is a place of historical value to just crumble to the ground, it is also a tourist attraction.

“I spoke with Alara and he said that he was interested in transforming the palace into a museum where people would see the relics of the previous Alara kings for posterity. So after the place is set up, you can be encouraged to go there to see, capture and make sure that it is something that is seen around the world,” he said.

While he assured that people from around the world would get to see the relics of the Alara kingdom for the preservation of the culturally-rich kingdom, he went on to list some of the tourist destinations in Epe.

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“People should understand that Epe has rich cultural and historical value, the oldest police station is here, the oldest post office is here, ‘Sugbon Eredo’ is here, the first warehouse for trading companies is here, and the slave port is here.

“So you can say you want to visit Epe for a day and see five, ten different things. That creates employment, that creates taxes, that creates jobs, that creates revenue, that creates opportunities to improve the local economy,” he said.

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