Igbo-Ora has a remarkable story known far beyond its borders. But how can its global recognition as a home of twins translate into more jobs, stronger local businesses and greater opportunities for its people? This was the development opportunity highlighted by Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo, as he served as Chairman of the Day at the International Twins Festival 2026 in Igbo-Ora.
Odidiomo, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo South in the 2027 general elections, participated in the grand cultural celebration held on October 10, 2026, at Methodist Grammar School, Sagan-un, Igbo-Ora.
The festival celebrated Igbo-Ora’s distinctive identity and its international reputation for the high incidence of twin births. For Odidiomo, however, the significance of this heritage extends beyond celebration. He sees an opportunity to turn the community’s cultural recognition into a stronger tourism economy that benefits residents and businesses.
Speaking at the event, he called for increased investment in tourism facilities, improved roads, better hospitality services and stronger support for local businesses. He said these improvements could help Igbo-Ora welcome more visitors, expand economic activity and create opportunities for younger generations.
“I believe we can do even more to share this wonderful story with the world,” he said, pointing to the need for infrastructure and services that would make the community more accessible and attractive to visitors.
The opportunity is substantial. A major international cultural attraction can support more than the festival itself. Accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, traders, artisans and other small businesses can all benefit when visitors have reasons to stay longer, explore the area and spend within the local economy.
For Igbo-Ora to fully realise that potential, cultural recognition must be matched by practical investment. Better roads can improve access; stronger hospitality services can enhance visitors’ experiences; and support for local enterprises can help ensure that tourism spending reaches the people who live and work in the community.
Odidiomo also connected the conversation about tourism to the wider development needs of Oyo South. Looking ahead to the 2027 elections and his aspiration to represent the senatorial district in the Senate, he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting ideas and partnerships that could improve people’s lives.
He highlighted the importance of supporting farmers, ensuring that children have access to quality education and promoting development initiatives that create lasting opportunities for communities across the district.
His message was that cultural heritage and economic development should go hand in hand. Igbo-Ora’s identity gives it a distinctive place on the international map, but sustained progress will depend on how effectively that advantage is supported by infrastructure, investment and collaboration.
The International Twins Festival 2026 brought together cultural participants, traditional and community leaders, government representatives, twins and their families, and other visitors to celebrate Igbo-Ora’s heritage. The event also offered a platform to reflect on how the community can preserve its traditions while creating new opportunities for future generations.
As Chairman of the Day, Odidiomo used the occasion to draw attention to the possibilities that lie beyond the celebration: a community where cultural tourism supports local businesses, infrastructure improves access, young people find new opportunities and farmers and families benefit from broader development.
For Igbo-Ora, the challenge now is to turn global recognition into lasting local value. With sustained investment, stronger partnerships and a clear focus on community needs, its remarkable twin heritage can serve not only as a source of pride but also as a foundation for tourism and economic opportunity.
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