Ogun To Take Masquerades To Rio Olympics

The Commissioner explained that a dummy masquerade displayed in London attracted a huge crowd

The Ogun State Government says it plans to take masquerades to the next Olympic games in Rio, Brazil.

The State’s Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Olu Odeyemi, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Mr. Odeyemi, who spoke at the residence of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Sunday, explained that culture cannot be separated from sports as they serve similar purposes.

The commissioner explained that the state made the decision based on the feedbacks it got from tourists at the just-concluded London Olympics where the state displayed a miniature masquerade.

Mr. Odeyemi added that the miniature displayed at Theatre House, Straford shopping mall, London, in front of the Nigeria House, was a huge side attraction which amazed a huge number of people.

The commissioner added that tourists and residents and who visited the exhibition hall expressed desire to see the live masquerades.

‘They were amazed and dazed, seeing the miniature and curious to know more about it. So we assured them that we shall bring live masquerades to the next Olympics,” the commissioner said.

The masquerades to be taken to Rio, according to the commissioner, include Egungun, Eeyo and Igunnuko.

“Sports activities without culture is zero,” Mr. Odeyemi said. “That is why you now see cultural performances at both opening and closing ceremony of sports festival and I can assure you next olympics we are taken live masquerades there.”