Yoruba culture preservation award celebrates Olowu of Kuta in Oshogbo for promoting tradition, urging rulers to uphold heritage at UNESCO-TOFAC 2025 event

The Yoruba culture preservation award has been presented to the Olowu of Kuta, HRM Oba Dr Hammed Oyelude Makama, CON, Tegbosun III, in a grand ceremony held at the University of Osun, Oshogbo.

Also read: Sesan Fagbayi calls for yoruba culture preservation amid foreign influence

The event, part of the UNESCO-TOFAC Cultural Award 2025, honoured the monarch for his relentless dedication to preserving Yoruba traditions.

Welcoming guests at the event, Osun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Bankole, praised Oba Makama, calling him “a true cultural icon and worthy recipient of this honour.” His comments set the tone for what became a celebration of tradition, heritage, and cultural integrity.

Oba Makama used the occasion to deliver a clear message to his fellow traditional rulers. He urged them to stay true to their cultural responsibilities and not allow religious affiliations to dilute their roles. According to him, traditional rulers are appointed by culture, not religion.

He stated, “We are installed culturally, and we don’t have any role articulated by the Chieftaincy Law other than being traditional rulers for the maintenance of tradition and culture. We have a lot of cultural misfits among us. Please help us to fish them out and correct it because of posterity.”

The monarch’s address was received with applause and agreement from attendees, many of whom were traditional rulers, scholars, and students from various regions.

The ceremony also featured a keynote address by renowned historian and scholar, Prof Toyin Falola. His speech, titled Culture Matters, focused on the resilience of African culture in the face of colonial attempts to erase it.

He highlighted the power of culture as a political and identity tool, stressing the urgent need to decolonise African spaces.

“Throughout history, colonisers did not just take African land. They tried to erase African culture. They changed African names, outlawed African languages, made a mockery of African religions, and imposed foreign systems.

They did all of these because they understood that to capture a people, you must destroy their culture,” said Prof Falola.

He concluded his speech with a strong message: “Decolonising African education, literature, and public space is not merely symbolic but a fight to reclaim cultural dignity.”

Another voice that added depth to the event was that of Prof Olukoya Ogen, Professor of History and Co-convener of TOFAC 2025. He described Oba Makama as a monarch who continues to champion cultural pride across Yorubaland.

According to Prof Ogen, the decision to honour the Olowu was based on his strong leadership and unshaken commitment to heritage values.

In addition to Oba Makama, other notable monarchs were honoured. The Eburu of Iba, Oba Adekunle Adeogun-Okunoye; the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrosheed Olabomi; and the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, were all recognised for their roles in sustaining cultural values in their respective domains.

Oba Makama also encouraged scholars and public figures to spread positive stories about Nigeria to the world. He noted the importance of narrative in building national pride and global perception.

The Yoruba culture preservation award highlights a growing movement to protect Nigeria’s indigenous traditions. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the need to celebrate those who continue to serve as cultural ambassadors.

Also read: Reno Omokri writes on culture of respect in Yoruba people

With voices like Oba Makama’s leading the way, the preservation of Yoruba heritage appears to be in strong and steady hands.