Oyo Seeks Monument Status For Late Duro Ladipo’s Residence To Preserve Cultural Legacy

The Oyo State Government has called for the conversion of the residence of late cultural icon, Chief Duro Ladipo, into a monument or museum to preserve his legacy and deepen appreciation of Yoruba cultural heritage.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, made the call at the third edition of the World Sango Festival and Duro Ladipo Memorial Symposium held at the Cultural Centre, Ibadan.

Olatunbosun said the works of people who devoted their lives to African culture must be remembered and celebrated, rather than archived and forgotten.

He said the state had deliberately sustained the symposium to keep alive the contributions of cultural custodians who laid the foundation upon which Yoruba cultural identity stands.

According to him, converting Ladipo’s residence into a monument or museum would provide a permanent space for preserving the memory and contributions of the late cultural icon.

The residence hosted the first two editions of the Duro Ladipo Memorial Symposium.

In another move to strengthen cultural identity, Olatunbosun announced that the audio and video versions of the state’s new cultural anthem were ready.

He said the anthem would be played at all cultural and Isese-related programmes in the state.

Also speaking, the President of the International Council of Ifa Religion, Dr. Fayemi Ifakayode, clarified that Sango Ayilegbe-orun, whom he described as one of the messengers of Olodumare, should not be confused with Sango, the third Alaafin of Oyo.

Yoruba culture and arts advocate, Prince Tunde Odunlade, urged people to trace and hold on to the heritage handed down by their ancestors.

“Abandoning our ancestral heritage erases the very stories that define the Yoruba,” he said.

The event was attended by traditionalists, cultural stakeholders and art practitioners.