The founder of Oodua Heritage International Organization (OHIO), Erelu Bolanle Amoke Kuku has called on the descendants of O’odua all over the world to prioritize promotion of Yoruba culture, heritage and values.
While addressing journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, Erelu Kuku who is also a member of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Board said something urgent must be done by O’odua descendants to prevent Yoruba culture and heritage from going into extinction.
“There’s urgent need for us all as Omo kaaaro-oojiire (Yoruba descendants) to come together for the purpose of rescuing Yoruba culture, values, language and heritage from fading off. Honestly, all that we considered as pride in those days have all gone into extinction, including our mode of dressing,” Erelu lamented.
“It is high time the Oodua descendants rise to promote the Yoruba culture and heritage. Neglecting our cultural heritage while other tribes are promoting theirs will not help. We should make struggle a participatory issue if really we’re interested in reviving our rich cultural heritage,” Erelu added.
According to Erelu, the main objective behind the establishment of OHIO is to promote unity and Oodua cultural heritage worldwide and to serve as a platform that is dedicated to the revitalisation of it.
She also charged all descendants both home and abroad to embrace O’odua cultural heritage in terms of dressing, language and food.
Erelu Bolanle Kuku added that she has through empowerment programmes greatly helped young Nigerians in skills acquisition and training.
“It is quite unfortunate that our culture is derailing, we must revitalize it.” She submitted.
