The Olowu of Owu, Aláyélúwà, Ọba (Prof) Saka Matẹmilọla (Oluyalọ Otileta VII), has addressed the need for cultural organisations to work in unity.
He believes each of the cultural organisations have their unique aim and objective which their activities are geared towards and to achieve speedy and concrete results, it is important that all of them work together and combine their objectives and work together.
He said this while receiving the leadership of Ọmọ Yoruba Atata Socio-cultural Initiative, ỌYÀSI, I’m his palace on Tuesday September 9, 2025.
Olowu of Owu, known as the eldest of Oduduwa children, believes there is need to harmonize various views on Yorùbá culture and have them documented.
Chairman of the initiative, Ọlawale Ajao had earlier solicited the support of the revered monarch, known as the first child of Odùduwà, in the forthcoming Second World Headdress Celebration slated for December 28, 2025 in Ibadan.
Responding, Ọba Matẹmilọla said
Yoruba culture is very beautiful but if we dont flaunt it to the world, nobody will promote it for us and if the rest of the world want to talk or write about our culture, they will coin in to favour themselves. That is why it dangerous for us that foreigners like Chinese and Americans now teach our Yoruba. The time may come when they will be teaching us our own language.
For this reason, it is necessary for any reasonable king to support people like you who are promoting Yoruba culture and heritage. We should support you in this initiative.
What you are doing is part of our duty as kings because we kings are the custodians of of culture.
He said various Yoruba cultural groups should work together to promote the culture better.
Describing the initiative as a laudable one
The group were received by Ọba (Prof) Matẹmilọla and three of the kings in his territory including the Olukoro of Ẹrunmu Owu, Ọba Abdul Waheed Ayọade Adeotan; the Olu Lapeleke of Owu Kingdom, Ọba Ọdẹkunle Adebari; and the Olu Ibogun of Ọlaogun Owu Kingdom, Ọba Sunday Adebayọ
He said the support of traditional rulers is very crucial because kings are the custodians of culture and what their are doing is to promote to promote Yoruba culture on global scale.
In the entourage of Ọmọ Yoruba Atata Socio-cultural Initiative, led by Ọlawale Ajao were Mr Johnson Akinpẹlu and Mr Adeyẹmi Olorire.
