In its determination to promote the revere cultural heritage of the people of Ire Ekiti, the Onire of Ire-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Oba Victor Adeleke Bobade, with the support of his subjects, has embarked on the processes of enlisting ‘Umeru Uju’ Sacred Forest as a national monument.
Oba Bobade disclosed this at a one-day consultative stakeholders’ meeting organised by the NCMM towards evaluation and documentation of Umeru Sacred Groove as a proposed national monument in Ire-Ekiti community held at the palace of Onire of Ire-Ekiti on April 22.
Umeru Uju Sacred forest, a representation of the spiritual and the earthly world is a sacred grove and a sanctuary of revered landmarks that lay the foundation of Ire community to what it is today.
It is a place of historical value with a documented account of where Ogun, the god of iron, mystically entered into the earth.
Unlike most sacred groves in South-Western of Nigeria that are being tampered with because of the search for herbal plants, the entire size and biodiversity of this sacred heritage reliably protects itself from all forms of encroachers and intruders without enforcement from customary law or western derived legislation.
Nobody goes inside the forest to remove anything (hunt, pick snails, collect firewood or herbs, let alone tilling the ground for farming) without immediate consequence.
The historic collections, beauty of the natural sacred grove and the existing cultural practices attracted the interest of the NCMM to respond to Oba Victor Bobade’s proposal, with commencement of a one-day consultative stakeholder engagement.
The Director-General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr Olugbile Holloway, represented by the Director of Monuments and Sites of the commission, Mrs Rahina Garba Haruna, said after the evaluation and documentation, their report will be presented to the appropriate quarters for necessary action.
The DG advised indigenes of the town to be committed to the task involved in making Umeru Uju to be recognised nationally.
Holloway, who decried the manner at which Yoruba cultural heritage was eroding due to modernisation, appealed to the Yoruba race especially the youth, to preserve and protect the cultural heritage and historical sites.
Holloway explained that the meeting held at the palace of Onire was to carry along stakeholders as well as highlight their roles in the project.
Oba Bobade expressed optimism that enlisting Umeru Uju sacred groove among Nigeria national monument will bring the town into the lime light.
In his remarks, the president of Ire Development Union, Col. Dotun Adeyeye (retd) appreciated the NCMM for its effort towards making the community rank among those with rich cultural heritage.
Other dignitaries at the event were the Chairman of Oye Local Government, Mrs Adesola Bamisile, Surveyor General of Ekiti State, national and state legislators as well as sons and daughters of Ire Ekiti.
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