Don’t sacrifice cultural values on altar of westernisation, civilisation – Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has harped on the need for Yoruba people at home and in the Diaspora to promote the cultural values of the race and protect them from being eroded by civilisation or westernisation.

Ogunwusi charged Yorubas to take pride in the age-long values bequeathed on them by their forefathers.

He said, “Yoruba is blessed with diverse cultural endowments that must be protected and promoted by all and sundry to effect the needed social-economic changes in the society.”

The Ooni spoke at Otun Ekiti in the Moba Local Government Area of the state on Thursday during the climax of the weeklong celebration of the first coronation anniversary of the Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, where culture and tradition were on display.

He said, “There is need for people to promote and accord more respect to our culture in Yoruba land. We have rich cultural values which must not be eroded on the altar of westernisation or civilisation.”

Ogunwusi urged the Yoruba people to embrace peace, saying, “No doubt, we must be united as a race. This is very important for our economic development. We need peace in the entire Oodua race because with peace, we can get our rights and get what is due for us in a very peaceful way.”

The frontline traditional ruler lauded the Oore, whom he described as ‘very forward-looking and very forthright leader’.

“I am very positive he will bring tremendous development to the entire Mobaland and Ekiti State,” he said, adding that what the monarch had attracted to Otun Ekiti in the last one year, coupled with his developmental dreams, were signs of what to come.

Adeagbo, who lauded the Ooni for his love for the people of the kingdom, assured him of his continued support in ensuring unity and peace in the entire Yorubaland.

The traditional ruler charged Otun Ekiti sons and daughters, home and abroad, to come to identity with the development of their town.

Copyright PUNCH