By Glory Akpan/Hawwah Abdurofiu
Fuji musician, Dr Adewale Ayuba, and cultural advocate, Omoyeni Kuti, have urged Nigerian youths to embrace their cultural heritage and promote the country’s identity globally.
They made the call at the 2026 Nigerian Union of Journalists, News Agency of Nigeria (NUJ–NAN) Press Week Cultural Day celebration on Tuesday in Lagos.
Ayuba, who described himself as a man of culture, said his decision to retain his Yoruba name, Adewale Ayuba, in spite of his international career, was deliberate to promote his cultural heritage.
“I want people to know me for my culture. It wasn’t a mistake for God to have me in Nigeria,” he said.
He urged youths to remain proud of their indigenous names, traditions and cultural identities.
The musician said his choice of Fuji music was because of its cultural roots and his understanding of its history, instruments and musical foundation.
Ayuba explained that he introduced English lyrics into his ‘Bubble’ album to make Fuji music more accessible to people who did not understand Yoruba.
“I want to popularise Fuji music. I want to take it abroad and I don’t want people to see Fuji music as religious music,” he said.
Noting that respect was an important aspect of Nigerian culture, he further urged youths to respect their elders, teachers and lecturers,
Similarly, Kuti said culture was essential to national identity and should be preserved while allowing room for creativity and evolution.
She said she was from a family of strong cultural roots, adding that she took pride in her African, Nigerian and black identity.
“I am proud to be a Kuti. I am proud to be African. I am proud to be Nigerian. I am proud to be black, most important,” she said.
Speaking on her fashion style, who wore a combination of traditional Aso-Oke and in a contemporary style, said culture should not be viewed as rigid, and heritage could be expressed through contemporary fashion and creative styles.
“I like to embody culture. I like to funkify culture,” she said,
She urged Nigerians to retain their indigenous names and cultural identities rather than abandon them in favour of foreign identities.
The cultural advocate also shared her experience of travelling to Greece with her daughter while wearing traditional attire, saying a passerby identified them as Africans.
According to her, the experience demonstrates how cultural representation can communicate identity internationally.
Kuti further urged for the recognition of African traditional beliefs, noting that she was not against Christianity or Islam.
Kuti commended NUJ and NAN for promoting culture among children, urging them to grow up with pride in their heritage.
NAN reports that the cultural event featured a performance by Ayuba, who used the occasion to encourage the younger generation to uphold Nigerian culture.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
