Lagos: A tourism enthusiast and son to former Olota of Ota, in Ogun, Prince Adetunji Fadina, has established a museum for the preservation of Awori culture and historical legacy in the town. Fadina, also a custodian of Awori culture, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday that the museum located in Ota, would be inaugurated in January 2025.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Awori, a prominent subgroup of the Yoruba people, speak a distinct dialect of the Yoruba language. They are known as the original inhabitants of Lagos State and parts of Ogun. Fadina said the museum christened ‘Oba Timothy Oloyede Fadina Centre for Awori Art, Culture and History’, is meant to pay tribute to his late father’s legacies and other past occupiers of the Olota throne. He maintained that the museum would serve as a veritable platform to educate visitors on the significance of the Awori’s contributions to Nigerian history.
Fadina noted that the museum would foster cultural awareness and appreciation thro
ugh interactive exhibitions and programmes, as well as provide a platform for community engagement and cultural exchange. ‘The inspiration behind the Oba Timothy Oloyede Fadina Centre for Awori Art, Culture and History is anchored on a strategic vision to authentically tell our story, preserving and celebrating the uniqueness of the Awori heritage brand. Drawing from the rich experiences of cultural preservation efforts in South Africa and Gambia, the centre is designed to leave a lasting legacy. A legacy that will educate and immerse future generations in the values, history, and cultural pride of the Awori people,’ he said.
Furthermore, Fadina emphasized that the centre stands as a lasting tribute to his father, Oba Timothy Oloyede Fadina, ensuring that the Awori heritage is celebrated and sustained. ‘It is a deliberate investment in the cultural future of our people, built to resonate deeply and endure for generations to come,’ he added. Fadina noted that the museum would be opened to the public for a dry
run in December, before its eventual opening in January 2025.
Speaking on the content of the museum, Fadina disclosed that the historical fact of the four divisions of the Awori kingdom would be on display. He listed the four divisions to include ‘Otun’, ‘Osi’, ‘Ijana’ and ‘Oruba’. ‘In our bid to promote our local cuisines like Omoyo, Dundu-cocoa and more, we have earmarked a local kitchen within the centre, where they can be prepared for tourists’ delight.’