The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has inaugurated working committee to oversee the planning of the maiden Oyo Empire Day Celebration….
The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has inaugurated working committee to oversee the planning of the maiden Oyo Empire Day Celebration.
The monarch inaugurated the committee in Tuesday while emphasising the need to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage scheduled to hold on December 17 in Oyo town.
He also charged members of the newly inaugurated committee to work with integrity, unity and commitment towards preserving the history and heritage of the ancient Oyo Empire.
Oba Owoade said the Yoruba people had a rich cultural heritage that should not be allowed to go into extinction but should instead be promoted and preserved.
He said the Oyo Empire occupied a unique place in the history of Yorubaland, West Africa and the African continent, noting that its political institutions, military organisation, diplomacy, commerce, intellectual traditions and cultural heritage demonstrated the sophistication of its civilisation.
According to him, “The Oyo Empire occupies a unique and distinguished place in the history of Yorubaland, West Africa and indeed the wider African continent. It was an empire renowned for its sophisticated political institutions, military organisation, diplomacy, commerce, intellectual traditions and rich cultural heritage.
“Our ancestors built institutions that sustained powerful and influential civilisations for centuries. They demonstrated that governance, accountability, diplomacy, courage and collective responsibility are not foreign concepts to our people.
“These are part of our inheritance.”
Alaafin stated that the Oyo Empire Day celebration is a deliberate effort to preserve, document, promote and transmit the heritage of the Oyo Empire to present and future generations.
The theme, “Celebrating Our Heritage, Preserving Our Legacy, Building Our Future”, according to him, captures the essence of preserving Yoruba cultural heritage.
“We must celebrate our heritage—not merely by recounting stories of the past, but by understanding the values, institutions and achievements that made the Oyo civilisation remarkable.
“We must preserve our legacy because people who lose their history gradually lose an important part of their identity, and we must build our future because history should not become a museum of memories.
“It should become a foundation upon which future generations can build.”
The monarch added that the celebration would bring together traditional institutions, scholars, historians, cultural practitioners, governments, businesses, young people and friends of Oyo from Nigeria and across the world.
The Alaafin said proposed activities for the celebration included a heritage and opening ceremony, book presentation, cultural exhibitions, an Oyo Empire colloquium, tourism activities and other cultural engagements.
The monarch also called for the participation of communities across present-day Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Ogun and Ondo states, as well as Oyo-linked communities in the Republic of Benin, stressing that the initiative was intended to reconnect communities whose histories and heritage were linked to the Oyo civilisation.
He emphasised that the initiative was not designed to diminish the history of other communities but to properly document and celebrate Oyo’s own heritage.
The Alaafin called on scholars and historians to ensure that the history of the Oyo Empire was properly researched and documented, while urging young people to learn, question and preserve their history.
He also appealed to sons and daughters of Oyo in the diaspora, corporate organisations, development partners and friends of Oyo to support the initiative through intellectual, financial, technological and cultural contributions.
The monarch further urged the committee to promote heritage tourism, preserve monuments, document oral traditions, encourage scholarships and strengthen the cultural industries.
“I formally inaugurate the Central Working Committee for the Oyo Empire Day Celebration and charge you to commence your work with immediate effect,” he said.
In his welcome address, retired Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu lauded the Alaafin’s disposition towards promoting the rich cultural heritage of Yorubaland.
“Alaafin is the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of Yorubaland and oversees the length and breadth of Yorubaland.
“The entire Yorubaland is the territory of the Alaafin of Oyo, hence the need for the people to reference the throne.”
He added, “Whoever references Alaafin will always receive the blessing of God because he is the representative of God on earth.”
The Chairman of the committee newly inaugurated committee, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, thanked the Alaafin for the confidence reposed in the committee.
“We have been saddled with the responsibility of laying a solid foundation for the celebration,” he said.
The committee is co-chaired by the former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, and Prof Soji Adejumo.
Other members are Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Engr A. K. Amodu; Chief Banji Ojo; Prof Kouchade Clement, Minister of Secondary Education, Republic of Benin; Prof Abiola Adebayo, former Vice-Premier Minister; Professor Abiola Adebayo, Republic of Benin; Chief Bisi Ilaka; Senator Yunus Akintunde; Hon Prince Akeem Adeyemi; and Chief Gdani Kayode Balogun, Otun Akogun of Ibadan.
Others are Chief Kamarudeen Osungbekun, Chairman, Ibadan Ancient Warlords; Ambassador Tunde Mustapha; Dr Azeez Adeduntan; Dr Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan; Prof Moshood Lanrewaju Nassir; Prof Seun Kolade; Prof Kola Abimbola; Dr Paula Gomez; Dr Haadi Babatunde Asiyanbi; Dr Bola Oyedepo; Dr Wole Akanni Duro-Ladipo; Rev Dr Dele Kolade; Prince Adebayo Sheriff Onisile; HRM Oba Kifuli Adepadabowale Onilaso, Onilaso of Ilaso and Coordinator, Yoruba Obas in Adja-Ouèrè, Ifangni, Kétou, Pobè and Sakété, Republic of Benin; Aare Laji Abass; Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo; Mogaji Moshood Akere; Mr Ademola Adeniyi (Kukulaja); Hon Prince Aderemi Paul Afolabi; Mr Dayo Alagbe; Bioye Adewumi; Lasun Oguntade; Mr Segun Oke; Mr Olarenwaju Fagbodun; Hon Rauf Salawu, Apase Ipobe, Benin Republic; and Prince Dapo Olakulehin.
