The Ọmọ Yorùbá Àtàtà Socio-cultural Initiative (ỌYÀSI) and the Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism have expressed a shared commitment to supporting creative ideas and promoting cultural heritage, following a courtesy visit by the organisation to the state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun.
The visit, held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, was part of ỌYÀSI’s preparations for the third edition of the Annual World Headdress Celebration, scheduled for Monday, December 28, at the Single Tennis Court, Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
During the meeting, Olatunbosun described the celebration as a laudable initiative and pledged his total support for its successful hosting.
He further promised to include the December 28 event in activities planned for Vibing December, the state government’s festive-season project introduced in 2025.
The commissioner’s commitment underscored the potential for collaboration between cultural organisations and government institutions in promoting indigenous heritage and expanding opportunities for cultural expression.
Earlier in the meeting, the General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Sikiru Adekunle Agboola, explained that the ministry encouraged people with ideas and provided opportunities for them to express those ideas.
His remarks highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for cultural initiatives, particularly those seeking to preserve traditional knowledge while presenting it to contemporary audiences.
The Chairman of ỌYÀSI, Mr Olawale Ajao, thanked the commissioner for his consistent support for the World Headdress Celebration since its inception in 2024.
Ajao described Olatunbosun as an active and accomplished administrator, recalling his contributions to the Ministry of Information, where, according to him, he left an enduring legacy.
He also commended the commissioner’s performance in the culture and tourism sector, describing his achievements as unprecedented among the officeholders who had served before him.
The ỌYÀSI delegation was led by Ajao and comprised Saheed Alatise, Nurudeen Adeyemi Olorire, Latifat Adejoke Adebola, Ethan Abanikannda, Boluwaji Olaniyi and Bejide Oladimeji.
The commissioner’s team included Mr S. A. Agboola, General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture; Mrs Titilayo Lawal, Director of Culture and Tourism; Mr A. O. Akinola, Director of Research; Mr A. A. Jimoh, Human Resource Manager; Mrs Ajoje, Director of Finance; Mrs Folashade Salam, Director of Cultural Troupe; Mrs Adeyemi, Director of Visual Art; and Mrs Ifamayowa Ifadeebo, Director of Tourism.
Other ministry officials, tourism officers and members of the Akede Asa Crew were also present.
Founded in 2024, the World Headdress Celebration is the flagship programme of ỌYÀSI, a socio-cultural initiative committed to promoting, preserving, documenting and encouraging the global appreciation of Yorùbá culture and heritage.
The annual event seeks to draw attention to the cultural significance of headdresses and their roles in expressing identity, status, tradition and belonging across different societieOyo Culture Ministry Seek Stronger Collaboration on Heritage Promotion
The Ọmọ Yorùbá Àtàtà Socio-cultural Initiative (ỌYÀSI) and the Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism have expressed a shared commitment to supporting creative ideas and promoting cultural heritage, following a courtesy visit by the organisation to the state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun.
The visit, held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, was part of ỌYÀSI’s preparations for the third edition of the Annual World Headdress Celebration, scheduled for Monday, December 28, at the Single Tennis Court, Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
During the meeting, Olatunbosun described the celebration as a laudable initiative and pledged his total support for its successful hosting.
He further promised to include the December 28 event in activities planned for Vibing December, the state government’s festive-season project introduced in 2025.
The commissioner’s commitment underscored the potential for collaboration between cultural organisations and government institutions in promoting indigenous heritage and expanding opportunities for cultural expression.
Earlier in the meeting, the General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Sikiru Adekunle Agboola, explained that the ministry encouraged people with ideas and provided opportunities for them to express those ideas.
His remarks highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for cultural initiatives, particularly those seeking to preserve traditional knowledge while presenting it to contemporary audiences.
The Chairman of ỌYÀSI, Mr Olawale Ajao, thanked the commissioner for his consistent support for the World Headdress Celebration since its inception in 2024.
Ajao described Olatunbosun as an active and accomplished administrator, recalling his contributions to the Ministry of Information, where, according to him, he left an enduring legacy.
He also commended the commissioner’s performance in the culture and tourism sector, describing his achievements as unprecedented among the officeholders who had served before him.
The ỌYÀSI delegation was led by Ajao and comprised Saheed Alatise, Nurudeen Adeyemi Olorire, Latifat Adejoke Adebola, Ethan Abanikannda, Boluwaji Olaniyi and Bejide Oladimeji.
The commissioner’s team included Mr S. A. Agboola, General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture; Mrs Titilayo Lawal, Director of Culture and Tourism; Mr A. O. Akinola, Director of Research; Mr A. A. Jimoh, Human Resource Manager; Mrs Ajoje, Director of Finance; Mrs Folashade Salam, Director of Cultural Troupe; Mrs Adeyemi, Director of Visual Art; and Mrs Ifamayowa Ifadeebo, Director of Tourism.
Other ministry officials, tourism officers and members of the Akede Asa Crew were also present.
Founded in 2024, the World Headdress Celebration is the flagship programme of ỌYÀSI, a socio-cultural initiative committed to promoting, preserving, documenting and encouraging the global appreciation of Yorùbá culture and heritage.
The annual event seeks to draw attention to the cultural significance of headdresses and their roles in expressing identity, status, tradition and belonging across different societies.
The forthcoming edition is expected to bring together participants from diverse cultural backgrounds in a celebration of the heritage and continuing relevance of traditional and contemporary headwear.s.
The forthcoming edition is expected to bring together participants from diverse cultural backgrounds in a celebration of the heritage and continuing relevance of traditional and contemporary headwear.