Lagos: A cultural historian, Dr Oludamola Adebowale, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage through structured archival documentation, museum support, and public access to historical materials. Adebowale said this at the special exhibition of The Life and Times of Oba Okunad© Ad¨l© Sjºwad© Olºbuse II Memorial Exhibition (50th Ooni of Ife), in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the researcher urged the Federal Government to institutionalise heritage education in schools and create a national framework for archiving political, cultural, and family histories. ‘We need to bring history back to the forefront and invest in partnerships that will keep our heritage alive. This is how we protect our identity and strengthen our place in the global cultural space,’ he said.
The two-week exhibition, which began on Aug. 4 and runs until Aug. 17, is supported by Ecobank’s Impact Studios. NAN reports that the special exhibition is the culmination of extensive work, with archival materials and treasured objects sourced from an array of repositories from state archives and museums to private collectors and government institutions.
Adebowale thanked the Sijuwade Royal Family Archives, which has safeguarded a collection of images, personal effects, and heirlooms, preserving them for posterity with care and devotion. ‘These galleries display historical objects that reawaken and reset our collective memory as Yoruba people, as Nigerians, and as Africans. This exhibition is not just about showcasing clothes, shoes, and personal effects of Kabiyesi; it is about telling our stories as Nigerians and Africans.’
He emphasised the importance of keeping historical records, noting that too often, people destroy valuable items from their elders, not realising their importance to collective memory. ‘If we want future generations to study our history, we must preserve these materials in museums and archives, not rely on Wikipedia as a primary source,’ he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the curatorial team and partners who made the event possible, describing the exhibition as ‘a celebration of the legacy of Oba Okunad© Ad¨l© Sjºwad© Olºbuse II’. According to him, each photograph and ceremonial garment grounded in heritage yet responsive to modernity, is a vision to inspire generations.
Yeye Olori Oladuni Sijuwade described the exhibition as ‘The beauty of his majesty,’ which offered art enthusiasts a rare and intimate glimpse into the king’s regal attire, cultural elegance, and enduring legacy, ten years after his demise. Representative of the National Museum, Mr Atinse Roberts, noted the decision to loan the Ori-Olokun and other Ife artefacts underscored the magnitude of the individual being honoured.
Mr Austen Osokpor, Head, Corporate Communications, Ecobank Nigeria, said that the exhibition aligns with the bank’s mission to preserve and promote African heritage. ‘On behalf of Ecobank, EPAC Studios is partnering with you as a family for this exhibition,’ Osokpor explained. He emphasised the importance of these collaborations, noting that they help tell ‘a good story about us as a people, as Nigerians’.
The exhibition team included Adebowale as curator and consultant to the Sijuwade Royal Family; Kehinde Kolade and Olusegun Kolade for KadStudio: Set and Design; and Esther Odom Chirmezue as storyteller.
