Oyo seeks monument status for Duro Ladipo’s residence

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Government has called for the conversion of the residence of late cultural icon Chief Duro Ladipo into a monument or museum to preserve his legacy and promote appreciation of Yoruba cultural heritage.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, made the call at the third edition of the World Sango Festival and Duro Ladipo Memorial Symposium held at the Cultural Centre in Ibadan.

Olatunbosun said the contributions of people who devoted their lives to promoting African culture should be remembered and celebrated rather than archived and forgotten.

He added that the state had deliberately sustained the symposium to preserve the contributions of cultural custodians who helped shape Yoruba cultural identity.

According to him, converting Ladipo’s residence into a monument or museum would provide a permanent space for preserving the memory and contributions of the late cultural icon, noting that the residence hosted the first two editions of the memorial symposium.

Meanwhile, Olatunbosun announced that the audio and video versions of the state’s new cultural anthem were ready and would be played at cultural and Isese-related programmes across the state to promote Yoruba traditions.

Also, the President of the International Council of Ifa Religion, Dr. Fayemi Ifakayode, clarified that Sango Ayilegbe-orun, whom he described as one of the messengers of Olodumare, should not be confused with Sango, the third Alaafin of Oyo.

Similarly, Yoruba culture and arts advocate, Prince Tunde Odunlade, urged people to trace, understand and preserve the heritage handed down by their ancestors, while traditionalists, cultural stakeholders and art practitioners at the event discussed the preservation of Yoruba heritage and the contributions of cultural icons such as Duro Ladipo.