Osun Grove: US Govt Provides $127,000 Grant For Documentation, Preservation of Busanyin Shrine

The United States of America has provided $127,000 grant for the documentation and cultural preservation project for the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove particularly, the Busanyin shrine.

The Consul General of the United State of America, Claire Pierangelo and her team went round on an inspection of the grove on Thursday.

The move is part of efforts to ensure the grove is given a facelift especially, the Busanyin shrine, one of eight monuments within the grove.

Pierangelo said the grant is for the entire plan, documentation and the reconstruction plan of the monument which will be done in partnership with the Osun State Government.

She disclosed that work will commence on the site in the next few days.

Pierangelo explained that the AFCP project will provide an accurate record of the current conditions of the shrine to effectively plan restoration work.

She noted that one of the key components of the AFCP project is a capacity building program on digital documentation skills and cultural heritage management for curators and local officials responsible for managing the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove monuments.

“The United States is a strong supporter of efforts to preserve Nigerian culture,” Pierangelo said. “We have funded over $770,000 for preservation projects across Nigeria through the AFCP in the last four years.”

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun who was on hand during the inspection tour of the grove lauded the American government for the gesture toward promoting culture and tourism.