In a grand celebration of Yoruba culture and unity, notable figures including President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and several Southwest leaders are set to gather at the University of Ibadan on September 23, 2024, for the Yoruba National Day.
The event, which also marks the 85th birthday of veteran actor Chief Lere Paimo, MFR, widely known as Eda Onile-Ola, will feature a lecture, awards, and cultural displays at the newly renovated Wole Soyinka Theatre.
Governor Sanwo-Olu will lead the Southwest Governors’ Forum as they pay tribute to Chief Lere Paimo, a revered figure in the Yoruba movie industry, during this year’s Yoruba National Day celebration. Sanwo-Olu, who doubles as the Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, will deliver a keynote lecture titled “National Unity and Agitation for Self-Determination: The Way Forward for Nigeria?”
The event will be chaired by Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede, a prominent June 12 activist, with Senator Shehu Sani serving as co-chair.
Among the special guests are President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and several past and present Southwest governors and their deputies.
The celebration will also bring together royal fathers such as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Chief Lere Paimo, who has spent decades in the theater arts, will be honored not only for his contributions to the industry but also for his role in preserving the Yoruba language and culture.
The Yoruba National Day celebration, which has been observed annually since 2001, was originally established by the Yoruba Congress to recognize and honour the rich heritage of the Yoruba people.
In addition to the lecture, the event will feature the presentation of the Ori Olokun Odu’a Award to 20 prominent individuals, including former Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and Inspector General of Police Mr. Kayode Egbetokun. Cultural performances, traditional delicacies, and the display of Yoruba art forms will also be part of the festivities.
Comrade Awa Bamiji, President-General of the Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, stated the importance of the event in maintaining the legacy of Yoruba unity and cultural pride.
He highlighted the significance of Lagos State’s recent recognition of the Yoruba National Day, expressing hope that other Southwest states would follow suit.
The event is expected to draw a diverse audience, including leaders from other ethnic nationalities, such as the Arewa Consultative Forum and Ohaneze Ndigbo, reflecting the unity and collaboration among Nigeria’s various cultural groups.
The Yoruba National Day celebration at the University of Ibadan promises to be a momentous occasion, celebrating the life and legacy of Chief Lere Paimo and the enduring cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
The gathering of prominent leaders and cultural icons underscores the importance of preserving and promoting Yoruba traditions for future generations.
