The General Manager of UNILORIN 89.3 FM, Mr Idris Alooma, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 World Headdress Celebration Award in recognition of his consistent promotion of Yoruba cultural identity through traditional dressing.
The award notification, dated November 1, 2026, was issued by the Ọmọ Yorùbá Àtàtà Socio-cultural Initiative, ỌYÀSI, organisers of the Annual World Headdress Celebration.
According to the letter signed by the initiative’s Chairman, Ọláwálé Àjaó, Alooma was selected for his distinctive and consistent use of the traditional fìlà gòbì and Yoruba attire for nearly three decades, which has become a recognisable part of his public identity.
The award will be presented at the third edition of the celebration scheduled for Monday, December 28, 2026, at the Ọ̀yọ́ State Sports Complex, Adámásingbà, Ibadan.
The event is being organised by ỌYÀSI in partnership with the Ọ̀yọ́ State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The special award category was introduced in 2025 to recognise distinguished individuals whose consistent use of particular traditional headwear has become a defining feature of their public identity.
Previous recipients include Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and celebrated textile artist, Chief Mrs Nike Okundaye. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Arisekola Alao were also honoured posthumously.
Alooma is a veteran broadcaster with more than three decades of professional experience. He began his broadcasting career at Radio Kwara in 1995 and later served as pioneer Secretary of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, FIBAN.
He also served as Bureau Chief of Alaroye newspaper in Kwara State and Treasurer of the Kwara State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, before his appointment as General Manager of UNILORIN FM.
His contributions to journalism and cultural promotion have earned him 98 national and international awards, including the UNESCO Award, YOMAFA Global Ambassador recognition and the World Royal Award, WORA.
In September 2025, he was appointed to the Brain Trust of the Yorùbá Language Preservation Initiative in Africa, where he contributes to efforts to promote Yoruba language proficiency and cultural pride among young people.
The latest recognition further highlights his contributions to journalism, peace advocacy and the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.
According to the organisers, the World Headdress Celebration goes beyond traditional headwear to promote identity, heritage and cultural diversity.
Post Views: 0