Museum appoints Ibadan chief, Lekan Alabi, as cultural ambassador
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By Olusola AJIBIKE (Abeokuta)
NIGERIA: THE National Commission for Museums and Monuments has appointed the Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oloye Lekan Alabi, as its Cultural Ambassador for the National Museum in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The nomination of Alabi, a veteran journalist, who said that the position would spur him in the appreciation and promotion of Yoruba time-honoured culture, was conveyed to him by the Curator of the Ile-Ife museum, Mr. J. O. Ogundele.
The former spokesperson of Oodua Group of Companies, who broke the news of his new appointment, said that the nomination would enable him contribute his quota to the tourism sector in the country as the museum “accommodates one of the best exhibition galleries in Nigeria.”
“It is with humility and gratitude to God that I share the happy news of my nomination as Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments,” Alabi said in a chat with GatewayMail.
According to him, he has accepted the nomination which was conveyed to him through the letter with reference number AF. 333/IFM/ΧV11/1351 dated March 29, 2017 and signed by Ogundele,
The veteran journalist said: “While I have since accepted the honour with humility and appreciation, I believe it is appropriate that I inform my two professional constituencies – the NUJ and the NIPR of this recognition.”
The Ibadan high chief said that the formal presentation of his insignia of office will soon hold in Ile-Ife, adding: “I am, therefore, putting our friends and well-wishers on notice to prepare to kindly accompany us to the formal presentation in Ile-Ife.”
Alabi stressed on the nomination: “I cherish this new award because it is national and in tandem with my traditional belief that every individual, be he/she, Yoruba, Ijaw, Nupe, Jew, English, German, Chinese, Scot, Arab, French, Twi, Zulu, etc, should be proud of his/her culture.”
“After all, God created we all and He gave each tribe its tradition and culture. Therefore, we must practice, promote our mother-tongue, food, music, dress, values, names, etc,” he further stressed.
He added: “This new role will further spur me in the appreciation and promotion of my time-honoured culture, particularly the Yoruba Omoluabi mode which emphasises Godliness, respect and love for parents and elders, justice, integrity, cleanliness, hard work, freedom and relaxation within reasonable limits, charity etc.
“May I emphasise that religion and culture are parallel and are not in conflict.
I will appeal again to our governments to engender a safe society where law and order reign, good road networks, efficient/affordable public transport and power supply, telecommunication etc.”
Alabi pleaded with the private sector to support the government in developing the tourism industry by providing world standard hotels, tourist guides and parks, among others.
“The above will encourage tourism, which is an invisible foreign exchange earner,” the Ibadan high chief maintained.
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