Professor Adeyemi Ewetade, the Oluomo of Igbore has drawn the attention of Nigerians to the need to revitalise and preserve the black cultural heritage for posterity.
Professor Ewetade who spoke at the celebration of Igbore Asa Day 2025, held in Abeokuta the Ogun state capital said cultural heritage is another source of revenue for the economy if it is well enhanced by the government.
He joined other personalities including royal fathers, Chiefs, Sons and Daughters of Igbore from all Egba towns to call on the government to revamp the Cultural Heritage to alternate the mineral resources as a source of revenue generation to Nigeria’s economy.
The Professor of Management Accounting, emphasised the showcasing of cultural heritage outside the shore of Nigeria so as to attract tourists and boost the Nigerian economy.
He added that Yoruba culture’s heritage is most attractive and shouldn’t be abandoned.
“It will serve as a veritable source of revenue for the economy if well enhanced, cultural heritage, all these kinds of things if we can showcase it outside our shore they will visit, our culture is very attractive and awesome, it is part of money generating for the government, and they should develop it”.
“My message to the government now is that we should not rely solely on mineral resources. Tourism, culture, and other things could also enhance money for the country for the citizens and for every one of us. They must also ensure that our heritage never dies because when you go abroad, you will still see them promoting their heritage, so our heritage, too, must not die”.
Also in his own contribution, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Afolabi Soyode, the Baajipe of Igbore and Aree Oluomo of Egba agreed that cultural heritage is a symbol, which fosters unity, peace, and coexistence among the people of the same group.
He added that it must not be abandoned but, must be jointly developed by all sundry.
In his own address, the Jagunmolu Aje of Igbore and Egbaland Alhaji Shuaib Aro stated that Igbore Asa Youth Day is a socio-cultural project that brings all indigenes of Igbore together in other to promote peace, unity, and harmonious relationships and outside the town.
He noted that the last Igbore Asa Youth Day was held in 2017, adding that henceforth it would become an annual event in the town.
He appealed that cultural heritage must not be abandoned but revamped to meet up with international standards.
His words, “Yes, it is a socio-cultural project that brings all of us together. If not for it, you would not see all of us like this now, there is no doubt with the fact that we are achieving our objectives because the primary objective is to foster unity, peace and harmonious relationships within us. We are going to be organising this annually because the last one we held was in 2017 and since then, we have not been able to meet these people that are here today, so thank God we are achieving the objectives”
“My message is that we shouldn’t abandon our culture. We are showcasing our rich cultural heritage. My appeal is that we shouldn’t abandon our cultural heritage for the Western world”.
In his remark, the Olu of Orile Igbore, Oba Joseph Adeogun Ogunbona Alawonla1, commended the effort of Igbore Youth for their steadfastness and commitment to promoting the cultural heritage of Igbore land.
In his welcome address, the Olori Odo of Igbore and the Chairman of the Igbore Asa Youth Association, Chief Lateef Atewolara, disclosed that Igbore Asa Youth Day is a socio-cultural festival for the mobilisation of Igbore Sons and Daughters home and abroad to promote unity, friendliness and harmonious relationship.
He posited that the focus is also to ensure that peace reigns in the Township and homestead to facilitate more developmental projects that allow the township to compete favourably within neighbouring townships on socio-cultural, infrastructure, political and economic advancement.
Atewolara appreciated the kind support from sons and daughters of Igbore including the members of 18 communities and CDAs in Igbore township.
Present at the event were notable sons and daughters of Igbore, including
His Royal Highness; Oba Joseph Adeogun Ogunbona, Alawonla 1, Olu of Orile Igbore, His Royal Highness; Oba Kassim Adebukola Taiwo, Sogbamu 1, Olu of Ajura-Igbore, His Royal Highness; Oba Lawrence Adisa Odeyinka, Gbolagunte1, Olu of Siun-Igbore, Chief Anthony Oliyide Oluwo Igbore, Chief Tajudeen Lemboye Balogun Igbore and Boroji of Egbaland, Chief Muraina Taiwo Jaguna of Igbore and Sakosi of Egbaland, Chief Shuaib Aro Jagunmolu Aje Igbore, Alhaji Shefiu Alao and others
