Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Book Presenter/Governor, Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olanihun Ajayi and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at the public presentation of Prof J.K Olupona’s books: “City of 201 gods: Ile Ife” and “ In my Father’s Personage” at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos on Thursday.
Culture is said to be a total way of life of a people, the extinction of which is the end of a race. To avoid such a fatal fate, all efforts must be geared towards preserving the culture and value of the Yoruba.
This was the position of the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the public presentation of two books written by Nigerian-born Harvard Professor, Kehinde Olupona in Lagos on Thursday.
The Ekiti State Governor, who is also the book presenter, opined that the Yoruba race is at a critical juncture when extinction is staring it in the face; saying that unless the culture of the people is carefully preserved and committed to writing for upcoming generation, all that the tribe stands for may end in ruins.
Dr Fayemi said Yoruba, especially those in the Academics, must endeavour to advance the interest of the race as this becomes the duty owed to it and the culture.
He added that his administration in Ekiti State has re-introduced Ethics to the school curriculum so that the values of the Yoruba are not swept off by the tides of civilization.
The Ekiti State Governor , lauded the author for the great works, adding that Prof Olupona remained one of the best intellectual contributors to the development of Nigeria. he added that the books are assuredly of benefit to the nation.
Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Osun State said one of the books “City of 201 Gods: Ile Ife” is a prove that the Yorubaland from history has been a peaceful place despite the different religious beliefs that were held by people.
Making reference to the different styles of worshipping the gods in ancient Yoruba land, Aregbesola said this is in sharp contrast with the religious intolerance that obtains in the Nigeria of today; adding that all Nigerians should imbibe the culture of religious tolerance.
He promised on behalf of other governors of States in the Southwest, including Ondo State that all hands would be on deck for the revival of the Yoruba culture.
Last modified: December 13, 2012
