The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Wednesday,10th April, accepted an invitation to be the chairman of the first-ever Yoruba Cultural Festival holding in Chicago, United States of America, from 6th to 9th, September this year.
The four-day Festival is being packaged by USA-based ‘Wole Duro-Ladipo, one of the children of the late Nigerian doyen of the theatre, Duro Ladipo (M.O.N) and Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadanland and the first Culture Ambassador of the National Museum and Monument, Ile-Ife, Osun State of Nigeria.
The Yoruba Cultural Festival, whose theme is “Promoting Global Peace Through Cultural Exchanges”, will feature dress and drum exhibitions, a business dinner, a symposium at the Chicago State University and Gala/Awards Night.
The Mayor of Chicago, Arts/Cultural troupes and enthusiasts from Nigeria, USA and other countries, are expected to attend the Festival, which will be hosted by the Yoruba community in Chicago.
In Ooni’s acceptance speech, he restated the imperativeness for peoples to value, celebrate and promote their traditions and cultures as ordained by God.
The Ooni said cultures define the totality of peoples’ ways of life and beliefs. Oba Ogunwusi also emphasised the need to unite the world through cultural appreciation and exchanges. The Royal Father added that: “the world would be a better place to live and thrive in if people display greater love and appreciation to their cultures, while showing respect to those of others.”
He prayed for the success of the forthcoming Festival and promised to invite other royal fathers and promoters of culture in and outside Nigeria to the Festival in Chicago.
By Aduloju Daniel
