Olota Tasks Traditionalists on Cultural Preservation, Community Development

 Olota Tasks Traditionalists on Cultural Preservation, Community Development

 

By Tope Bankole

The Olota of Ota, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, has urged Yoruba people and adherents of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe not to abandon their indigenous identity, saying their ancestral culture, knowledge and traditions remain valuable resources for personal advancement and community development. 

Oba Obalanlege made the call on Thursday at the 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration held at the Olota Palace, Ota, Ogun State, with the theme, “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe as Catalyst for Indigenous Business Growth: Ota as Case Study.”

The monarch said those born into Ìṣẹ̀ṣe were fortunate to have access to an indigenous heritage whose value should be understood, preserved and transmitted to younger generations noting  that many people were struggling with aspects of their lives because they had lost touch with their roots and no longer understood the cultural knowledge available within their communities.

 He stressed that Yoruba people should appreciate the strength and uniqueness of their own heritage rather than abandon their identity in preference for foreign practices calling for deliberate efforts to develop, document and promote traditional medicine.

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Indigenous knowledge could contribute meaningfully to contemporary society when properly researched, preserved and responsibly applied. I appreciate government for recognising Ìṣẹ̀ṣe through the declaration of public holidays, urging traditionalists to use the opportunity not merely for celebration but as a platform for cultural preservation, enterprise development, peace and community advancement", Olota said 

The Chairman of the occasion, Araba of Ota, Oluwo Faniyi Fashola, expressed profound appreciation to the Olota for his support and leadership in promoting Ìṣẹ̀ṣe and indigenous culture in Ota. Fashola also commended the various Ìṣẹ̀ṣe denominations and cultural groups, including Elegun, Olorisa, Onigunnu, Babalawo, Isogbeto, Alaje, Onigelede, Osugbo, Aborigines and others, for putting aside differences and coming together in unity to celebrate the universal day for traditionalists. He described the gathering as a demonstration that unity and mutual respect among different indigenous groups remain essential to the survival and growth of Yoruba cultural heritage.

Fashola stressed that Ìṣẹ̀ṣe goes beyond religious observance, describing it as a repository of Yoruba philosophy, indigenous knowledge, arts, medicine, traditional governance, moral values, communal identity and economic practices. 

According to him "preserving Ìṣẹ̀ṣe should therefore involve educating younger generations, documenting indigenous knowledge, supporting legitimate traditional practitioners and creating opportunities for cultural enterprises to thrive. I noted that the theme, “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe as Catalyst for Indigenous Business Growth: Ota as Case Study,” was particularly relevant because cultural assets such as traditional arts, festivals, crafts, indigenous medicine, performance, tourism and knowledge systems could create sustainable opportunities for local entrepreneurs while strengthening Ota's cultural identity", Fashola explained.

Also speaking at the occasion, Prince Toyin Adeyanju highlighted Ota's growing cultural visibility beyond Nigeria, recounting the recently concluded trip to the United Kingdom during which five Egungun from Ota travelled to participate in the Awori Day picnic in the UK and showcase the community's rich cultural heritage. 

He described the international cultural outing as an indication of the growing global interest in Yoruba and Awori traditions, stressing the need for Ota to continue projecting its cultural identity positively on the international stage adding that the event brought together traditionalists, cultural custodians, community leaders and invited guests in an atmosphere of unity and celebration, reinforcing the message that indigenous culture can remain relevant while adapting responsibly to contemporary realities.

The Vice Chairman of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, Oluwo Fatai Aina, in his vote of thanks, appreciated the Olota, traditional institutions, invited guests, cultural groups and participants for their cooperation, patience and support in making the celebration successful. He urged stakeholders to sustain the spirit of unity demonstrated at the event and continue working collectively for the preservation and advancement of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.

He explained that the 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration at the Olota Palace ultimately served as more than a cultural gathering; it became a renewed call for Ota and the wider Yoruba community to embrace their identity, preserve indigenous knowledge and explore its economic potential. With the Olota's call for the development of traditional medicine, Fashola's emphasis on unity among all Ìṣẹ̀ṣe denominations, the display of Ota's cultural heritage in the United Kingdom and the focus on indigenous business growth, the celebration provided a strong platform for connecting culture, identity, enterprise and community development.