The Drum Festival In Canada Receives More Boost As Ogun State Government Pledges Support
Adedokun Waliyu 
The Publisher of The Drum Online Media Inc. and the Convener of The Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu) in Canada, Prince Segun Akanni on Wednesday. January 4th, 2023, met with Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Adijat Adeleye in Toronto, Canada to further brainstorm on the involvement of Ogun State Government towards the successful hosting of the forthcoming epoch-making maiden edition of The Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu Festival) slated for Friday July 28th, 2023, at Fuzion Banquet Hall in Mississauga, Ontario.
According to the convener of the festival, Prince Segun Akanni, a letter had been sent to the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism some months ago to seek for strategic support and endorsement from the Ogun State Government.’
However, the meeting was to further discuss on the possible involvement of Ogun State Government towards the successful hosting of the festival.
Recall that it had earlier been reported that the festival would be graced by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, Arole Oodua, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Adeyeye (Ojaja III), Ooni of Ife, Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, Canadian Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister Of Finance, Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Canada Council for the Arts, Mr. Simon Brault, President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) Mr Richard Kistabish, Canadian Members of Parliament, Mayors of Toronto, Mayor John Tory, Mayor Of Brampton, Mayor Patrick Brown, Mayor Of Mississauga, Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Nigerian Top Government functionaries among other important personalities from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic and Canada.
Some of the dignitaries expected from Ogun State Government are Ogun State Governor himself, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Chief Press Secretary to the Ogun State Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, Consultant to the Governor on media. Prince Ifekayode Akinbode among others.
The Convener assured the Culture Commissioner that arrangements are in top gear to ensure that invited guests from Nigeria have a soft landing vis a vis their VISA application processing at the Canadian Embassy and for everyone to experience an extremely fruitful festival.
