Culture Can Strengthen Bonds of Unity in Nigeria, Says Osinbajo
- Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has declared that culture can strengthen bonds if unity in Nigeria
- Osinbajo made the comment at the launching of the Yoruba World Centre attended by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III
- The centre is also known as the International Center For Yoruba Arts and Culture (NCEYAC) in Ibadan
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Ibadan - Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has declared that the work of centres such as the International Centre For Yoruba Arts and Culture could become a base for how culture can help in building a more inclusive, fairer, and more just society.
Professor Osinbajo, who was speaking at the launch of the centre in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital on Tuesday, November 23, added that the facility could strengthen the bonds of unity within an ethnically diverse nation such as Nigeria.
Source: Facebook
A statement from his spokesman, Laolu Akande, quoted Osinbajo as saying:
“The work of this centre should also offer a base and sanctuary which reflects how Yoruba culture can contribute to the tools of nation-building.
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“At a more reflective level, we will through this repository and the traditions embedded in the artworks and cultural artifacts, imbibe the triumphs, challenges, inventions, and spiritual heritage of the Yoruba people.
“And how here at home, Yoruba culture also had to adapt to the onslaught of colonialism in Nigeria by the British and in Benin and Togo by the French. In 'Death and the King’s Horseman', a classic play by Professor Wole Soyinka, we see forces at work that tried to adapt cultural practices with tragic consequences.”
Speaking on the renowned Omoluabi philosophy of the Yoruba people, which is used to describe a person of integrity, trust, and honour, the VP observed that:
“In a nation dogged by the abdication of high values especially in leadership, perhaps the centre might take on the task of formalizing the pedagogy on the concept of Omoluabi for teaching in our schools.
“Omoluabi, the true moral quintessence of the Yoruba race - the virtuous man, or the man or woman of character.
“Perhaps scholars here will distill the heart of the Omoluwabi ethos, and reveal the attributes of trustworthiness, reliability, honesty, and forthrightness for coming generations of Nigerians.
“Perhaps the world needs to know that the Omoluabi is one whose word to brother and stranger alike is reliable, who believes in the equality of all men regardless of race or belief, and that all deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness.
“One who believes that the commonwealth is not to be stolen or personalized, but it is for the good of all.”
In the same vein, the vice president noted that:
“Culture is not just about the past, and it is neither static nor immutable, it is constantly creating and recreating and progress is not merely determined by fidelity to tradition, but by our capacity for invention and reinvention.”
Professor Osinbajo further said Nigeria could further leverage its diversity to harness strength and raise development capital.
Also at the event, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III praised the idea of the Center while highlighting the pride of place that Yoruba people hold in Nigeria and around the world.
How supporters of Osinbajo showed up at Ibadan event
Legit.ng had earlier reported that prior to his arrival, the event had witnessed a massive political campaign of songs for Osinbajo by different support groups, members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) and many of his supporters.
On his arrival, Osinbajo was ushered into the Ibadan campus by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, and other management staff members of the institution, to the novel event.
The supporters are seen in a viral video holding welcoming and campaign posters which had the portrait of Osinbajo, dancing, singing, and chanting the name of the vice president in Yoruba language, tipping him to succeed his boss ahead of the 2023 presidential run.
2023: Group vows to mobilise 20 million votes for Osinbajo
In a related development, a northern youth group, Osinbajo Awareness Campaign (OAC), has launched a campaign to galvanise support for the vice president ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
The group recently unveiled a platform to mobilise 20 million youths across the 19 northern states and Federal Capital Territory in solidarity with Osinbajo.
Speaking at the launch of its Kano secretariat and campaign vehicles on Sunday, October 17, the national coordinator of the group, Mubarak Haruna declared that Nigeria needs a highly patriotic and genuinely detribalised leader like Osinbajo who can drive the country to greater heights.
Source: Legit.ng
