The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, has described the newly-appointed Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife, Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, as a worthy promoter of Yoruba tradition and culture.
Oba Ogunwusi gave the commendation on Saturday in his palace, in Ile-Ife, while decorating Oloye Alabi with his insignia of office. He said he was not surprised by Alabi’s appointment, because he had built a remarkable reputation over the years as a committed practitioner and promoter of culture, values and etiquette.
The Ooni said for Oloye Alabi to have successfully and successively served four former governors of old Oyo State as press secretary(the late Chief ‘Bola Ige, Majajor-General Oladayo Popoola, rtd, Brigadier-General Adetunji Olurin rtd and the late Brig-Gen Sasaenia Oyesanya from 1983 to 1989,speaks volumes about Alabi’s professionalism, loyalty,integrity and popularity, among others.
Oba Ogunwusi added that the appointment as Cultural Ambassador did not come as a surprise to him and other paramount rulers in Yorubaland, if the fact that Alabi is a trustee of the D.O.Fagunwa Foundation, Yusuf Olatunji Foundation, Duro Ladipo Foundation, Adekunle Fajuyi Foundation and Chairman, Adegoke Adelabu Foundation, among others, is taken into consideration.
The Ooni, however, called on Nigerians not to abandon the promotion of their time-honoured tradition and culture to enthusiasts like Oloye Alabi, but to also join in the task of teaching and encouraging indigenous cultures such as mother-tongues, foods, music, dresses etc
In his acceptance speech, Oloye Alabi thanked the Ooni of Ife for accepting to host his investiture and presentation of the insignia of office.
He promised not to relent in his long-time commitment to the promotion of Yoruba and other Nigerian traditions and cultures, butressing the Ooni’s call for all to embrace our valued culture.
Alabi’s investiture was attended by representatives of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun,Yoruba,Igbo,Hausa and Ebira traditional rulers,academicians,artistes,among others. They all endorsed Alabi’s appointment, describing him as lover of culture and bridge builder.
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