The Oyo State Government has unveiled a new cultural anthem as part of measures to promote, preserve and sustain Yoruba culture and traditions.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, disclosed this at the third symposium organised to commemorate the World Sango Festival and Duro Ladipo Memorial Symposium at the Cultural Centre, Ibadan.
Olatunbosun said the state government had completed both the audio and video versions of the anthem, in fulfilment of a commitment he made during the previous Isese celebration.
According to him, the anthem would henceforth be played at all cultural and Isese-related programmes in the state immediately after the state anthem.
He said, “We have completed the audio and video versions of the Oyo State cultural anthem. This is part of our commitment to ensuring that our culture is preserved and promoted.
“The anthem will be played immediately after the state anthem at all cultural and Isese-related programmes in Oyo State.”
The commissioner said the initiative was another step towards strengthening the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage and ensuring that younger generations remained connected to their roots.
He also explained that the state had continued to sustain the annual symposium to honour personalities who dedicated their lives to promoting African culture and preserving its heritage.
Olatunbosun urged the state government to consider converting the residence of the late cultural icon, Duro Ladipo, where the first two editions of the symposium were held, into a monument or museum.
He said such a facility would help preserve the contributions and legacy of the renowned playwright and cultural promoter for future generations.
“We need to look at the possibility of transforming Duro Ladipo’s residence into a monument or museum. That will help us preserve his contributions to Yoruba and African culture and ensure that his legacy is not forgotten,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of Sango in Yoruba traditional religion, the President of the International Council of Ifa Religion, Dr Fayemi Ifakayode, said there was a need to distinguish between the spiritual Sango and the historical Alaafin of Oyo who bore the same name.
Ifakayode said the Sango venerated in Yoruba traditional religion was Sango Ayilegbe-orun, whom he described as one of the messengers of Olodumare who descended from the celestial realm.
He explained that the third Alaafin of Oyo, who was also known as Sango, should not be confused with the spiritual figure, describing the historical monarch as an incarnation of the spiritual Sango.
He said, “The Sango we venerate in Yoruba traditional religion is Sango Ayilegbe-orun. He is one of the messengers of Olodumare who descended from the celestial realm.
“The third Alaafin of Oyo was also called Sango, but we must understand the distinction. The Alaafin was an incarnation of the spiritual Sango.”
Also speaking, a Yoruba culture and arts advocate, Prince Tunde Odunlade, called for greater efforts to preserve ancestral heritage and cultural identity.
Odunlade urged the Yoruba people, particularly the younger generation, to trace, understand and uphold the legacies handed down by their forefathers rather than abandoning their cultural identity.
He said preserving cultural heritage was essential to ensuring that future generations understood their history, values and identity.
The symposium, which focused on the significance of Sango and the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage, also provided a platform for discussions on the contributions of Duro Ladipo and other cultural icons to African cultural development.
The unveiling of the cultural anthem is expected to further institutionalise the promotion of Yoruba culture in official state cultural activities and programmes.