Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment towards promoting culture and tourism to preserve the state’s rich cultural heritage, through continuous support for traditional festivals across the state.
Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, gave this affirmation over the weekend, during the 2025 Awon Mass Wedding, held in the Shao community in Moro Local Government.
Describing the event as a beautiful celebration of love, unity, and cultural identity, the Commissioner noted that the Awon Festival remains one of the most iconic cultural events in Kwara State and Nigeria at large and symbolized the enduring strength of communal values and intergenerational unity.
According to her, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, since assuming office in 2019, has remained a firm believer in the preservation and promotion of our cultural heritage.
She said under Governor’s leadership, the state government continues to support traditional institutions and cultural festivals, from the Gaani festival in Kwara North to the Durbar in Kwara Central and the Orugbo Festival in Kwara South, recognizing that these events are not just entertainment but essential expressions of our identity and unity.
Hon. Olukoju pointed out that through the Ministry of Communications, which also oversees Arts, Culture and Tourism, the AbdulRazaq-led administration has been deliberate in its investment in Cultural documentation, Tourism development and Heritage preservation, ensuring that indigenous traditions remain relevant in the face of modernization.
She further emphasized the fact that the Government’s sponsorship of the 2025 Awon Mass Wedding underscores its commitment to Cultural sustainability, while unlocking socio-economic opportunities for the host community.
The Commissioner congratulated the newlywed couples and urged them to uphold the values of patience, respect, and mutual understanding that define Kwara’s cultural ethos.
She commended the Shao Traditional Council and the Awon Mass Wedding Central Planning Committee for their consistency in preserving the state’s Cultural legacy.
The highlight of this year’s celebration was a captivating live stage performance by Abass Akande Obesere, the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Yorubaland, whose energetic and top-notch rhythm delighted the audience and added colour, excitement, and cultural vibrancy to the historic event.
