The Obalodo of Oye Kingdom, Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo has called for urgent collective action to restore and preserve the fading values and traditions of Yoruba culture.
The community leader also decried the gradual erosion of indigenous values due to modernisation, western influence and declining interest in cultural practices.
Speaking during a N200 million fund raising for the rehabilitation of Akodi Onipa of Okepa quarters on Sunday in Ilawe-Ekiti, Obalodo expressed concern that most children born in the community do not know the meaning of Akodi because Christianity has made many indigene to ignore the traditions of their town.
According to them, preserving cultural identity remains essential to sustaining societal values and unity.
He noted that reviving cultural practices would help strengthen moral upbringing, promote tourism and preserve the identity of future generations.
Obalodo appealed to the traditional rulers to cherish their source and be promoting the culture and traditions of their communities.
” I want to humbly appeal to the traditional rulers in Ekiti to revive ancient culture and traditions of the community.
” It is quite unfortunate that most indigenes of Ekiti especially children have forgotten some of our culture and traditions which is not good .
” I want to congratulate the indigenes of Okepa community in Ilawe-Ekiti for the laudable initiative to build a befitting Akodi for their community head,”he said.
He thanked the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi Afuntade 1 for allowing the programme to hold and ensure that it was successful.
Oguntoyinbo, however commended retired Maj. Gen. Adetayo Adeyemi who is a native of the community and facilitator of the programme.
He advised indigenes of other towns to emulate such gesture to promote the development of their communities.
The convener of the fund raising, retired Maj. Gen. Adetayo Adeyemi said Okepa is a small community in Ilawe-Ekiti that needs development.
Adeyemi, who is a native of Okepa community in Ilawe-Ekiti and Chairman of Delight Hotel, Ado-Ekiti said the objective of building Akodi for the Onipa of Okepa was because the community head does not have a befitting accommodation to stay within the town.
He explained that the Onipa has been presiding over the activities of the town from Ado-Ekiti which was not suitable for the community.
” Traditionally, the Onipa of Okepa is the head of the community and he has been on the throne of his forefathers over a year without a befitting accommodation to preside over the community.
” I decided to organise fund raising to build a befitting Akodi in the community so that he can be living there and be presiding over the activities of the community,” he said.
Adetayo, however urged indigene of the community to embrace unity and development.