The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has described the establishment of a Yoruba World Centre by the International Centre For Yoruba Arts and Culture (INCEYAC) inside the University of Ibadan, as one of the best things to happen to the Yoruba people all over the world in recent history.
Oba Adeyemi made the comment at his palace win Oyo when a high-powered delegation of INCEYAC, led by the initiator and publisher of Alaroye Newspapers, Mr. Alao Adedayo, visited to brief and formally invite him to the turning of the first sod of the Centre come November 23, this year by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
“It is one of the ways to protect and preserve our heritage, and I wholeheartedly support it,” the Alaafin said.
The team comprised of the world acclaimed cinematographer, Chief Tunde Kelani and Professor Akin Alao of the Obafemi Awolowo University.
The highly revered monarch posited that lack of documentation and good archival system for old records, traditional tools, and historical materials would obliterate nations faster than wars, plagues and even natural disasters. He, therefore, agreed that the preservation of Yoruba documents and recreation of forgotten ones were crucial and highly essential means of transmitting the history, language and culture of the Yoruba to many generations to come, adding that it will also help in engendering mutual understanding and genuine nation building.
“I want to congratulate the management of University of Ibadan and the movers of this great idea of the International Centre, and even our beloved Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who has agreed to be part of this,” the Alaafin told the team. “I strongly believe that we all are writing a new chapter of history for Yoruba people all over the world; and this will help in many ways to open doors of development not only for Yoruba but also for every component part of Nigeria.”
Oba Adeyemi is expected as the Chairman of the occasion that would have the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many eminent Yoruba sons and daughters in attendance.