By Folasade Adeniran

A cultural historian, Dr Oludamola Adebowale, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage through structured archival documentation, museum support, and public access to historical materials.

Adebowale said this at the special exhibition of The Life and Times of Oba Okunadé Adèlé Síjúwadé Olúbuse II Memorial Exhibition (50th Ooni of Ife), in Lagos.

The researcher urged the Federal Government to institutionalise heritage education in schools and create a national framework for archiving political, cultural, and family histories.

“We need to bring history back to the forefront and invest in partnerships that will keep our heritage alive. This is how we protect our identity and strengthen our place in the global cultural space,” he said.

The two-week exhibition, which began on Aug. 4 and runs until Aug. 17, is supported by Ecobank’s Impact Studios.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the special exhibition is the culmination of extensive work, with archival materials and treasured objects sourced from an array of repositories from state archives and museums to private collectors and government institutions.

Adebowale thanked the Sijuwade Royal Family Archives, which has safeguarded a collection of images, personal effects, and heirlooms, preserving them for posterity with care and devotion.

“These galleries display historical objects that reawaken and reset our collective memory as Yoruba people, as Nigerians, and as Africans.

“This exhibition is not just about showcasing clothes, shoes, and personal effects of Kabiyesi; it is about telling our stories as Nigerians and Africans.

“We must understand the importance of keeping historical records. Too often, people destroy valuable items from their elders, not realising their importance to our collective memory.

“If we want future generations to study our history, we must preserve these materials in museums and archives, not rely on Wikipedia as a primary source,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the curatorial team and partners who made the event possible, describing the exhibition as “a celebration of the legacy of Oba Okunadé Adèlé Síjúwadé Olúbuse II”.

According to him, each photograph and ceremonial garment grounded in heritage yet responsive to modernity, is a vision to inspire generations.

“This is an opportunity not merely to observe, but to educate. These displays are powerful reminders that history does not belong only within the walls of a palace or the pages of a local chronicle. It belongs to the world,” he added.

Also speaking, Yeye Olori Oladuni Sijuwade described the exhibition as “The beauty of his majesty,” which offered art enthusiasts a rare and intimate glimpse into the king’s regal attire, cultural elegance, and enduring legacy, ten years after his demise.

Representative of the National Museum, Mr Atinse Roberts, said the decision to loan the Ori-Olokun and other Ife artefacts underscored the magnitude of the individual being honoured.

“These objects are masterpieces that reflect the ingenuity of our forefathers. The Ori-Olokun, for instance, is entirely bronze, naturalistic in form, and historically linked to the origins of Yoruba monarchy,” Roberts explained.

Also, Mr Austen Osokpor, Head, Corporate Communications, Ecobank Nigeria, said that the exhibition aligns with the bank’s mission to preserve and promote African heritage.

“On behalf of Ecobank, Impact Studios is partnering with you as a family for this exhibition,” Osokpor explained.

He emphasised the importance of these collaborations, noting that they help tell “a good story about us as a people, as Nigerians”.

“The goal is to promote narratives that highlight the positive stories of Nigeria and Africa,” he added.

The exhibition team included Adebowale as curator and consultant to the Sijuwade Royal Family; Kehinde Kolade and Olusegun Kolade for KadStudio: Set & Design; and Esther Odom Chirmezue as storyteller. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa