Campus News

Maiden Cultural Day Celebration

UNILORIN VC makes case for cultural preservation

By Isaac Lewu

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has said that our culture demonstrates who we are and that our cultural heritage is something that is passed from generation to generation.

Prof. Egbewole said this last Wednesday (May 21, 2025) at the maiden edition of the University’s Cultural Day, held at the University Auditorium.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, emphasised that Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, with over 500 languages and about 371 ethnic groups, is a testament to the strength and uniqueness of the nation. He noted that this diversity should be harnessed for unity and national development rather than division.

He commended the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, University of Ilorin, the organisers of the event, for creating a platform where students and staff could celebrate their roots, express their identities, and learn about the traditions of others. According to him, events like this reinforce the University’s commitment to promoting inclusiveness, peace, and mutual understanding among its diverse community.

Prof. Egbewole also urged the younger generation not to lose touch with their heritage in the face of globalisation, stressing that preserving culture is not only about attire, dance, or language but also about embracing the values, norms, and wisdom handed down by our forebears.

The Director of the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts, University of Ilorin, Prof. Olutoyin Raymond Ogunade, said the institution’s maiden Cultural Day was more than a ceremonial event, calling it “a scholarly and cultural intervention aimed at reclaiming identity in the face of global erasures.”

Delivering his address at the event, Prof. Ogunade emphasised that culture is central to knowledge and nationhood, not just an academic accessory. Referencing Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, he likened the celebration to a tiger’s pounce and a bold assertion of cultural integrity.

Prof. Ogunade proposed that the University set aside every Monday as Cultural Attire Day, where staff and students would wear their indigenous attire, not just for fashion, but as a conscious affirmation of identity. He noted that similar initiatives in other postcolonial institutions have strengthened academic excellence and cultural pride.

Addressing affordability concerns, the Director suggested launching a ‘Cultural Wear Initiative’ through the Centre, in partnership with local designers, alumni, and sponsors, to make traditional attire accessible to all. He urged the academic community to resist residual Western influences on dress and self-perception, stating that to dress culturally is to declare identity, remember heritage, and resist cultural erasure.

            In his address, the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, echoed the call to preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. He warned against the silent erosion of indigenous values and traditions, stressing that allowing Nigerian culture to go extinct is equivalent to erasing the essence of the nation itself.

                        Prof. Soyinka, who was represented by a renowned cultural scholar and artist, Dr Wole Alade, a former Director of the MUSON Centre, Lagos, passionately urged the youth to take pride in their heritage, language, attire, and customs, rather than blindly adopting foreign influences.

            Dr Alade thrilled the audience with a captivating cultural performance that crowned the day’s festivities, alongside Mr Sheriff Olanrewaju’s Ijala chants, Elewi Ashanti, an eulogiser, kengbe song performance by the Ilorin cultural group and students of the performing arts group.

The Special Guest of Honour at the event, Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, emphasised the significance of the Cultural Day, stating that it serves as a vital reminder of Nigeria’s valuable contribution to global culture.

He praised the University for initiating such a meaningful celebration, which he described as both timely and necessary in an era of increasing cultural erosion. He said this initiative reinforces the global relevance of Nigerian culture and identity, urging that we must not allow our heritage to fade but rather showcase it boldly on the world stage.

 In his remarks, the Registrar of the University, Mr Mansur Alfanla, expressed his appreciation to all attendees and stakeholders for their presence and support.        He also looked forward to future editions of the Cultural Day with even more vibrant displays of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

Also present at the event were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (RTI), Prof. Muhtar Etudiaye; Deans Directors and members of the University community.