Olubadan, Oyo Commissioner Endorse World Headdress Day
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – The proposed World Headdress Day Celebration has received the endorsement of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin 1), and the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees of Ọmọ Yoruba Socio-cultural Initiative (OYÀASI), Olawale Ajao, led members of the initiative on a courtesy visit to the Olubadan’s palace on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, to formally introduce the World Headdress Day project and receive royal blessings.
In his remarks, Ajao highlighted the significance of headdresses in Yorùbà culture and beyond, stating:
He said “while caps are meant for mere adornment in many cultures, they serve spiritual, social, and medical purposes in Yorubaland. Through the World Headdress Day, we aim to showcase the diverse significance of headdresses globally, revealing their usefulness in solving human problems.”
Announcing that the maiden edition of the World Headdress Day Celebration will hold at 10 am on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the Single Tennis Court, Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba Ibadan, Ajao added that efforts are ongoing to secure UNESCO’s recognition of the day.
Representing the Olúbàdàn, the Ekefa Balogun of Ibadanland, High-Chief Raufu Amusa Eleruwere, commended the initiative, describing it as laudable and necessary for preserving Yoruba culture.
He urged the leadership of OYASI to ensure the Olúbàdàn is formally invited to the event.
According to him, “this project is vital because many of our people no longer value our culture, while others, including foreigners, are beginning to adopt elements of it, such as tying gèlè (headgear).”
Earlier, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbọsun had expressed his support for the project during a meeting with OYASI leadership at his office in Agodi, Ibadan.
The Olúbàdàn hosted the ỌYÀSI delegation immediately after meeting with the executive members of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its Chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola. The NUJ team had visited to update the monarch on their ongoing Press Week, which runs from Sunday, December 15, to Friday, December 19, 2024.
Comrade Babalola praised the peaceful reign of Ọba Ọlakuẹhin and invited him to the grand finale of the Press Week, slated for Friday.
The courtesy visits also had in attendance prominent figures such as the President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Bar. Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole; the Chairman of Ibadan Baale, Baale Taye Ayorinde; Baale Oladapo Wasiu (Baale of Aroro), and the Aremo Olubadan, Prince Sumbo Owolabi Olakulehin.
The World Headdress Day Celebration aims to promote cultural preservation, global recognition, and the practical uses of headdresses across different cultures worldwide.