News Update

THE people of Idanre in Idanre local government area of Ondo have reaffirmed their commitment to preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage through the newly introduced Ode Mare Festival, describing the festival as a deliberate policy instrument to safeguard the history, values, and identity of the Idanre Kingdom for present and future generations.

The people of the community made this known during the celebration of the festival held in Idanre, where cultural displays, traditional music, dance, and exhibitions from the various quarters of the kingdom took centre stage.

Speaking at the event, the Aare Onakakanfo of Otoja in Idanre, Chief Lawrence Akinboni, said the Ode Mare Festival was conceived as a structured platform to preserve, project, and transmit the cultural heritage of the Idanre people, stressing that culture remains a vital pillar of unity and development.

According to him, the festival goes beyond entertainment, as it symbolises the shared history and collective identity of the Idanre people, both within the community and in the diaspora.

“The Ode Mare Festival is a deliberate policy instrument to preserve, project, and transmit the cultural heritage, values, and historical identity of the Idanre Kingdom to present and future generations.

“Anything you do, just give thanks. This festival gives us the opportunity to celebrate our cultural heritage and promote our values, letting people know that Idanre has good sons and daughters,” he said.

He explained that the celebration also serves as a thanksgiving to God for the growth and progress of the community, while providing an avenue to showcase Idanre’s rich traditions to the outside world.

Also speaking is a community leader, Engr. Olaleye Osunmakinwa said the festival would help reconnect Idanre indigenes across the globe and strengthen communal bonds, noting that cultural unity remains essential for sustainable development.

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He added that beyond cultural preservation, the festival holds economic potential, as it is expected to attract tourists, create business opportunities, and reduce overdependence on cocoa as the town’s major source of income.

“The Ode Mare Festival is very important to us. Firstly, we are trying to connect our people all over the world. Everything we are doing here is being watched globally.

“We are calling our people back home. We need unity in our midst and initiatives that will bring progress, not backwardness.

“We do not want to rely solely on cocoa. We want our culture to generate income. There are many things around us in Idanre worth celebrating, and this festival will boost our economy,” he noted.

Photos of the event….

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Akinwole Solomon, said the Ode Mare Festival was designed to position Idanre as a cultural tourism destination, adding that future editions would be expanded to attract wider participation.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Afolabi Adesoji, represented by the Director of Tourism in the ministry, Dr Adeola Aderinola, commended the initiative, describing it as a step in line with the state government’s policy to promote culture and tourism as drivers of economic growth.

He assured that the state government would continue to support cultural initiatives that preserve heritage while creating economic opportunities for host communities.

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He said, “This festival is designed to promote culture and tourism in Ondo State. What we are witnessing today is part of the Mare Festival, an innovation tagged Ode Mare.

“It is meant to promote the rich culture of the Idanre people, as evident in their traditional attire and cultural displays.”