By Samuel Ogunsona, Osogbo
At the on-going Osun-Osogbo festival, officials are calling on both state and federal governments to prioritize security measures to ensure safety of attendees and the sacred Osun Osogbo grove.
The festival, which attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from around the world started on Monday, July 29, with its grand finale coming up on August 9, 2024.
It is a significant cultural event that showcases the rich heritage of the Yoruba people.
However, the increasing number of attendees every year has con immensely to the economic growth of the community while insecurity has been a major concern at the sacred grove premises.
“We cannot afford to compromise on security,” says an official who did not want to be named.
The Director of National Museum, Osogbo, Awoyeni Joseph, said aside the security challenge, they were also facing preservation and restoration issues related to the museum.
“The sheer volume of visitors that come here every year makes it difficult sometimes to perform regular conservation tasks, such as cleaning, repairing, or rehousing the museum properties”, he said.
Awoyeni also stated that the large heritage site had given room for loopholes to many people who he described as “miscreants” that only chose to vandalize government properties.
He said: “ This heritage site is a land of over 122 hectares , there are loopholes everywhere, people choose not to come in through the main gates, but through bushes where they do some sort of illegal activities”
Awoyeni urged the government to fence the whole heritage site for maximum security and protection of government properties.
To address these concerns, Moshood Jinadu, one of the workers at the sacred grove urged the government to increase security personnel and surveillance around the festival grounds and the sacred grove.
He said: “ We have a lot of security challenges, we need more capable hands that will secure the whole groove because it’s a very big heritage site.
“The security responsibilities will include the safety of plants and animals and also prevent poachers from entering into the forest from danger.
“Security is very paramount and the government can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees while also preserving the cultural significance and integrity of the Osun Festival.”
