***Calls for Preservation of Traditions and Values

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

In a vibrant celebration steeped in tradition, the Ilemila Royal Family of Kabba, Owe Land in Kogi West Senatorial District, has made a passionate call for the revival and preservation of cultural and moral values.
The family expressed concerns over the gradual decline of these values among younger generations, emphasizing the urgent need to reconnect with their heritage.
Themed “Re-Awakening the Cherished Traditions Inherent in Our Culture,” the 2024 edition of Ilemila Day unfolded at Jonny Events Center, Kabba, with a dazzling display of cultural dances, including the revered Erigbo and Woro performances. The event provided a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Kabba, sparking renewed interest in its traditions.
Chief Kunle Kola Olubiyo, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, set the tone for the occasion with a rallying call to preserve the community’s heritage. He lamented the fading visibility of their cultural identity, citing the erosion of traditions as a growing concern.
“Our rich literature and practices are gradually slipping into oblivion,” Olubiyo stated. “This event is not just a celebration; it is a deliberate step to safeguard our culture for future generations. Through media documentation, we are ensuring that these traditions remain accessible and relevant.”
He highlighted the need to reintroduce cultural etiquette, such as the customary kneeling and prostrating gestures of respect, which are slowly being replaced by modern practices like handshaking—even with traditional rulers.
“These subtle changes may seem insignificant, but they reflect a deeper cultural shift that we must correct,” he added.
Prince Kayode Ayedogbon, a member of the royal family, described the event as historic, underscoring its role in reviving cultural consciousness.
“Our children are increasingly detached from the values and practices that define us,” Ayedogbon remarked. “This platform is a reminder that our culture is our identity, and we must take pride in it.”
Similarly, Mr. Emmanuel Ade Ajibero, President General of the Kabba Development Union, emphasized the need for documentation to complement oral traditions.
“In the past, our traditions were passed down orally, but times have changed,” Ajibero said. “With modern technology, we can now archive and share our heritage globally, ensuring it remains alive even among our diaspora.”
Mr. Martins Joseph Toluwa, another family member, noted that the annual Ilemila Day, which began in 2023, also serves as a platform for promoting harmony among the six royal families of Kabba, with Ilemila as the eldest.

“The event fosters unity and integration, strengthening our collective identity as a people,” he said.

In his address, High Chief Ben Olodogbo, head of the Ilemila Royal Family, urged members to exhibit love, unity, and mutual support while championing the preservation of their heritage.

Chief Obafowo Adegboyega Aka, Chairman of all Red Caps in Owe Land, praised the event as a cultural reawakening and a tribute to the Owe people’s rich traditions.

President of the Kabba Community in Abuja, Sir Johnson Jimoh, called on parents to play an active role in cultural preservation.

“The task of sustaining our heritage begins at home,” Jimoh said. “Parents must instill cultural pride and values in their children to ensure that our identity endures.
With the Ilemila Royal Family leading the charge, the annual celebration is not just a reflection of the past but a vision for the future—a future where culture and tradition remain at the heart of the community’s identity.

The event concluded with renewed pledges to harness modern technology for cultural documentation and dissemination, ensuring that the legacy of the Ilemila Royal Family continues to inspire generations to come.

The Kano Durbar Festival has officially been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a significant achievement for Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
This prestigious recognition was celebrated during a ceremony in Abuja, where the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, received the certificate of inscription from Dr. Hajo Sani, Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a state indicated that the UNESCO inscription highlighted the cultural importance of the Durbar festival, which celebrates the historical and cultural significance of Kano, uniting the people through music, dance, and rich traditional practices.
“The event is one of Nigeria’s most iconic celebrations, drawing thousands of participants and tourists to the region every year.”

Dr. Sani praised the effort of the Nigerian government in securing the recognition, noting that it brings numerous benefits to both the country and local communities.
She stressed that this achievement adds to Nigeria’s growing collection of intangible cultural heritages, bringing the total to eight such inscribed elements.

“Having the Kano Durbar on the UNESCO list is a huge milestone for Nigeria,” Dr. Sani said. “It not only celebrates the beauty and unity of the festival but also creates opportunities for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.”

Minister Musawa expressed her commitment to promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage on the global stage, emphasizing that the inscription provides an opportunity to attract international tourists and foster economic growth through cultural tourism.
She highlighted the need for more Nigerian cultural elements to be recognized by UNESCO, stressing that such recognitions bring both international prestige and tangible benefits to the local economy.

“We are proud that the Kano Durbar is now recognized globally,” Musawa remarked. “This is just the beginning. We aim to expand Nigeria’s presence on the UNESCO list and use our cultural resources to strengthen our economy and create job opportunities through tourism and creative industries.”

The inscription of the Kano Durbar Festival is a testament to Nigeria’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, showcasing the nation’s potential to use its cultural assets to create positive social and economic change.
The festival, known for its majestic processions, colorful costumes, and traditional horsemanship, will now enjoy greater international recognition, further cementing its place as a cultural treasure of humanity.

Africa’s participation in the G20 Ministers of Culture meeting, led by Barrister Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, is a major step forward in the continent’s cultural diplomacy.
The event, which held at the Salvador Convention Centre in Brazil, saw Musawa represent the African Union, where she advocated for the role of Africa’s cultural heritage in advancing economic growth, social cohesion, and global understanding.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement indicated that, Musawa also served as the 1st Vice-Chairperson of the Bureau of the Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture, and Sports within the African Union.

She quoted Musawa to have expressed gratitude for Africa’s inclusion in the discussions and highlighted the continent’s cultural diversity as a source of strength.
The minister reiterated the urgent need for Africa to capitalize on its cultural resources to drive sustainable development and unity within the continent and globally.

“Africa’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest assets. We must use it as a tool to propel development, foster unity, and create shared growth opportunities,” said Musawa.
“Our inclusion in the G20 dialogues ensures that the priorities of our people are heard, and the global conversation better reflects the needs of Africa.”

The Minister praised the historic nature of the African Union’s involvement in the meeting, which provided a platform for critical conversations around culture’s role in shaping Africa’s future.
Musawa underscored the importance of the G20’s Ministerial Declaration, which calls for increased cooperation, greater support for African culture, and more opportunities for Africa to achieve its goals outlined in Agenda 2063.

Musawa also highlighted the importance of cultural rights, diversity, and dialogue as essential for building resilient, inclusive, and innovative societies.
She emphasized that culture should be viewed as a driver of development and social cohesion, a theme that resonated throughout the discussions.

She extended her thanks to Brazil for its exceptional leadership as G20 President and expressed confidence in South Africa’s upcoming presidency. “We appreciate Brazil’s leadership and efforts to elevate culture within the global agenda. As we look to South Africa’s presidency, we are eager to ensure that Africa’s cultural priorities remain at the forefront,” Musawa said.

Throughout the meeting, Musawa engaged with counterparts from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Angola, South Africa, Korea, China, and France, focusing on key issues within her ministry’s strategic framework.
One notable outcome the statement said was her bilateral meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Culture, where discussions centered around the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s Cultural House in Salvador as part of the Nigeria Destination 2030 initiative, aimed at preserving cultural heritage and enhancing the country’s cultural diplomacy.

The meeting also highlighted the need for increased investment in Africa’s cultural and creative industries.
The African Union emphasized its strategic vision for inclusive and sustainable development and highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening Africa’s global position.

In closing, Musawa reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to continued collaboration with the G20 and a stronger emphasis on cultural priorities, ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard and its interests are advanced on the global stage.