Ayomide Awe
The Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism and traditional rulers have renewed efforts to preserve and promote Yoruba culture and traditions, with royal fathers calling for greater involvement of youths in cultural activities.
The renewed commitment was expressed on Friday during a special lunch reception hosted by the Onitafin of Orile Itafin, Oba Moruf Alani Olalekan Adebayo, at his palace in Abeokuta.
The gathering brought together traditional rulers and senior officials of the ministry, including the Permanent Secretary, Mr Qudus Adegboyega, and directors of various departments.
Among the traditional rulers present were the Onikopa of Orile Ikopa, Oba Lawrence Adetunji, and his wife, Olori Motunrayo Adetunji, as well as the Olu of Opeji, Oba Ganiyu Adesina Rasaq.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Adegboyega thanked the Onitafin for his continued support for the ministry and its cultural initiatives.
He said the gathering underscored the importance of celebrating and preserving indigenous culture, warning that failure to protect cultural identity could lead to the blurring of distinctions between religion, culture and traditional beliefs.
“If care is not taken, religion, culture and belief will be merged together,” he said.
The permanent secretary assured the monarchs that the ministry would continue to support programmes aimed at strengthening cultural development across the state.
The host, Oba Adebayo, said he invited the ministry because of its strategic role in preserving and promoting culture in Ogun State and Yorubaland.
The monarch commended the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun for what he described as significant steps towards promoting traditional institutions and indigenous practices.
He particularly cited the approval for the installation of a successor to his office and the recognition of Isese Day as a public holiday in Ogun State.
According to him, the process of securing recognition for Isese Day involved consultations with the Alake of Egbaland, who requested evidence of other states practising similar observances.
Oba Adebayo said he subsequently presented information on Osun State, after which the Alake communicated with the ministry and the process eventually received government approval.
He said the initiative began during the tenure of previous officials, including Hon. Adijat and Toyin, and was sustained by the present commissioner.
The monarch also disclosed that traditional religion adherents in Ogun had become more united, describing the development as part of efforts that began the previous year.
He urged the people to support one another and avoid allowing individual mistakes or differences to undermine collective efforts to preserve culture.
The Onikopa of Orile Ikopa, Oba Adetunji, said he was pleased with the renewed interest in a culture which, according to him, was gradually being lost.
The monarch stressed that traditional rulers and cultural custodians had a responsibility to preserve indigenous practices for future generations.
“I love what you do, but we are losing some things,” he said, noting that cultural practices and traditional expressions should not be allowed to disappear.
He added, “We are custodians of culture and we must make it an important one.”
The Olu of Opeji, Oba Rasaq, pledged the support of his community for initiatives aimed at developing and preserving culture.
He distinguished culture from religion, arguing that the two should not be confused.
“Culture and religion are different but religion has been turned to business,” the monarch said.
He also called for the inclusion of youths in cultural gatherings and initiatives, saying their participation was essential to ensuring the survival of indigenous traditions.
The Olu pledged that Opeji would take further steps towards developing its cultural heritage, while urging other stakeholders to intensify efforts to pass cultural knowledge and practices to younger generations.
The gathering ended with a renewed call for collaboration between government, traditional institutions and communities to safeguard Ogun’s cultural heritage and ensure that indigenous traditions remain relevant to future generations.
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