The leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and Founder of the Olokun Festival Foundation, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Adams has said the Olokun Festival Foundation is set to build a world-class tourism resort at the Kakanfo-Falola Beach Resort off the Badagry-Seme International Expressway, Lagos. He said the resort would form part of the efforts by the Olokun Foundation to transform the area into an international tourist destination.
Adams said this during his speech at the 2026 Olokun World Festival held at the beach early this week.
He said following the upgrade of the annual Olokun Festival to a world festival, the foundation was divinely inspired to acquire the expansive Kakanfo-Falola Beachfront to transform into a world-class destination that would be equipped with recreational facilities.
Aare Adams said plans were on the way to build a museum to house priceless artifacts and narrate the rich history of the Yoruba communities. He said the vision would be achieved in the next four years, saying the place would become a grand centre of cultural tourism, attracting visitors not only from Nigeria, but across West Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil and other places.
Speaking on the Olokun Festival, Adams said the festival was far more than an annual event, but a living, breathing affirmation of the Yoruba identity, and its continuity as a people. He said: “Our festival is a vibrant celebration of our ancestral traditions, spiritualism, folklore, music and dance. It is a platform where the Yoruba people and all Africans can celebrate their uniqueness, resilience, and contributions to global civilization.
Iba Adams said beyond the cultural and economic dimension of the festival, the spiritual essence of Olokun Festival was also very important. He said: “Olokun and Olosa, the deities of the ocean depths, embody wealth, creativity, mystery, and profound forces of life itself.
“For many attending the festival for the first time, the3 spiritual benefits are immeasurable. The blessings of Olokun transcend the physical realm, offering abundance in health, happiness, fulfillment, and prosperity.”
Iba Adams also spoke on the issues affecting tourism in Nigeria. He called on the Federal Government to move tourism from the residual list to the concurrent legislative list. This, he said, would enable the states to productively work together with the Federal government and its agencies to fully harness the tourism potentials of the country. He continued: “Besides, when tourism is put on the concurrent list, states will put more efforts in promoting their respective tourism destinations.”
