Osinbajo Launches Yoruba World Centre in Ibadan, Seeks Return of Looted Artifacts

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday launched the project to build the International Centre For Yoruba Arts and Culture at the University of Ibadan.

The Vice President in his address at the event urged those present to join the movement agitating for the return of the artefacts looted from Yorubaland by the colonial masters.

Osinbajo said the proposed centre would give context and depth to the understanding of the Yoruba oast, their place and role in the present and preparations for the future.

He said, ” Today, young Nigerian artistes are using local sounds to create a global popular culture. Is there something to be learned here? Additionally the Centre should offer a destination for missions of discovery by the very many Africans in Diaspora who trace their origins to the Yoruba people and promote closer links between the Yoruba people in the homeland and their kin in the diaspora .

“But more importantly provide a crucial pillar in the global attempt to build social and economic bridges between peoples of African descent everywhere in our world.

“And while we are at it , You must join in the global movement to champion the return of artefacts that were plundered, looted or illegally taken away from these shores. Indeed, the centre could serve as a home for such returned items where the immediate provenance or circumstances in which the items were taken is not clear or not known. “

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Ayedatiwa, his counterpart in Oyo and Ondo states Rauf Olaniyan and Noimot Salako and other dignitaries including the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; Archbishop of Methodist, Ayo Ladigbolu; Jimi Agbaje, Muyiwa Ige, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, among others, attendee the event.

The Ondo State Deputy Governor, who delivered the message of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, commended Dayo Alao for his visionary efforts to ensure that such a project would be built.

He said Yoruba has rich culture and great history with their unique ways of managing their affairs.

He said such a project should be supported because it would serve as a point where generations yet unborn would learn about the history of their forebears. He said the history that would be kept should not be adulterated.

He said, “We need to document like this so that we don’t lose this great culture through time.”