By Lukman Olabiyi
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to actively promote and preserve the country’s indigenous languages, traditions, and cultural heritage as a vital means of protecting national identity.
Delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Asia International Summit, organised by the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), Asia chapter, Adams emphasized the urgent need to shield Nigeria’s cultural values from erosion by foreign influence.
The summit, themed “Importance of Diaspora Yoruba Activities in Promoting Yoruba Heritage Worldwide,” drew participants from across several Asian countries.
According to Adams, who is the Global Convener of OPU with presence in 103 countries, Yoruba people in the diaspora serve as a bridge connecting the homeland with the rest of the world.
“The Yoruba people are rich in language, arts, values, and traditions that form a significant part of Nigeria’s cultural wealth. “Values such as discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, religious tolerance, self-reliance, and patriotism are integral to Yoruba culture and must be preserved,”he said.
Highlighting the role of Yoruba communities abroad, Adams noted that cultural festivals, language promotion, traditional arts, and socio-cultural organisations such as OPU help sustain Nigeria’s cultural identity globally.
He cited examples such as the annual Oodua Day celebrations, football competitions, and humanitarian activities by OPU chapters in Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, and the Philippines, which, he said, “keep younger generations connected to their roots.”
“These events do more than promote culture. They also boost Nigeria’s international image and promote cross-cultural understanding,”Adams added.
He stressed that the continued use and promotion of indigenous languages were critical to cultural survival.
“The importance of indigenous languages in cultural expression cannot be overemphasised. We must ensure Yoruba language and traditions are passed on to future generations,”he said.
Adams also underscored the role of diaspora networks in socio-economic development, noting that they foster trade, education, investment, and cultural exchange between Nigeria and the world.
Also speaking at the summit, Professor Kolawole Raheem, a former director at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, warned of the growing influence of foreign cultures, especially from the West and China, which he said threatens Africa’s indigenous traditions.
“Today, culture is being used as a tool of global competition. The foods, fashion, arts, religion, and education of foreign countries are gradually replacing ours,” he warned. “We must take deliberate steps to preserve the Yoruba identity, which is globally respected.”
Raheem called on diaspora Yoruba communities to leverage their unique cultural strengths to promote sustainable development across Yorubaland.
In his welcome address, Asiwaju Olakanye Franklin, OPU Asia Continental Coordinator, described the summit as a rallying point for unity and strategic planning.
He said it was time for Yoruba people in the Diaspora to shift “from potential to performance” through initiatives in youth empowerment, education, economic development, and cultural preservation.
“No matter where we live, we are bound by one heritage, one identity, and one destiny,” he said.
Franklin also praised Iba Gani Adams for his leadership and dedication to the Yoruba cause, noting that his efforts have continued to inspire and unite Yoruba people worldwide.
The summit brought together Yoruba representatives from across Asia, including Malaysia, Japan, UAE, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Qatar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
The post Gani Adams, others call for preservation of indigenous culture appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
