The Olofa of Offa in Kwara State, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, has said that people of the ancient town are determined to put Offa on the world tourism map before the end of the year.

Speaking in Offa at the investiture of Offa role model award organised by Ijakadi Publication for sons and daughter of the Offa in Offa Local Government area of Kwara State, the traditional ruler said, "We are committed to organizing a very colourful festival this year with the paraphernalia of a world class festival as a launch-pad for our cultural heritage to be on the world tourism calendar".

He also said that the success recorded in the maiden edition of Ijakadi cultural festival held last year was a test case, adding that cultural festival was a veritable tool for community development.

Oba Gbadamosi also said that a sum of N43 million was pledged by sons and daughter of the town to develop the community.

According to the royal father, the fund would be spent to complete on-going construction of Offa Descendants Union Hall on Olofa Way, Offa and other tourism sites.

He called on all sons and daughters of Offa to co-operate with him and the leadership of Offa Descendants Union for their development drive.

He also said that efforts must be made towards the completion of the town hall projects for the forthcoming Ijakadi festival.

The traditional ruler lauded the organisers, awardees and the Kwara State government in their contribution to the development drive of the community.

He warned Offa indigenes to "shun distraction caused by unending religious strife which pervaded the community and the nation at large because "all of us are from one God".

He urged his subjects to avoid the challenge of divisive tendency among the indigenes caused by "greed and avarice."

The monarch enjoined members of the community to "place the interest of the community above any parochial interest".

Earlier, in his opening remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr James Soleye, described the royal father  as the architect of New Offa.

He appealed to those that have not redeemed their pledge towards the development of the community since last year, to do so.