The Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has concluded plans to resuscitate the monthly festival of traditional social music, dance and drama presentations.

This is part of measures undertaken by the state government to encourage relaxation and leisure in order to relieve stress and enhance life expectancy.

Speaking at a forum of stakeholders in Culture and Tourism at the State Secretariat Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, the commissioner, Chief Olu Odeyemi, revealed that studies had shown that lack of  adequate relaxation and rest contribute largely to poor health and short life span, pointing out the ministry decided to re introduce the practice in order to help improve their wellbeing.

Chief Odeyemi said the June 12 cultural centre would be optimally utilized as drama presentations, traditional music as well as children theatre would be held there monthly, adding that, tentatively, Alhaji Musiliu Isola would be invited to perform next month.

He further assured that relevant professional bodies and stakeholders would be involved in the activities of the ministry, urging them to come up with proposals capable of promoting culture and tourism in the State.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Culture and Tourism, Chief Sina Williams, lamented the decline in the way we project our cultural heritage.

He stated that as part of measures to address this anomaly, a cultural exchange programme of the Cuban troupe, discovered to cherish the Yoruba culture, had been fixed for next month.

In their different contributions, some of the participants gave suggestions on ways of sustaining the teaching and learning of Yoruba and other languages and nurturing of other cultural values.