Ibadan
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, Aug. 23, 2018 (NAN) A professor of History at the University of Texas, Houston, USA, Toyin Falola, has urged indigenes of Ibadan to unite in the task of developing the ancient city.
Falola made the call at a public lecture held in Ibadan on Thursday to mark the 90th birthday of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was entitled: “Isese, Asa ati Esin: Cultural Bridges to Development and Modernity.’’
Falola said: “An enormous investment must be made in capacity building in order to implement significant cultural and development programmes.
“It is one thing to create cultural knowledge, it is another to use it in the service of development.”
The historian, who is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland, gave recommendations for the development and progress of Ibadanland, with emphasis on adaptation and innovation.
He called for the elevation of the Okebadan festival into an international carnival and the creation of an Ibadan Museum to display valuable artefact to give the town a global perspective.
“In addition, you can have the compilation of a Who-is-Who on an annual basis to list the activities of successful people, remarkable achievements and major events among others.
“With the aforementioned put in place, Ibadan will no doubt experience a boost of its economic viability,” said Falola.
In his address, the chairman of the occasion and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Wale Babalakin, urged Ibadan indigenes to come together to promote the development of the ancient city.
“Let the indigenes of Ibadan unite to develop their city because outsiders cannot do it for you.
“Ibadan was once known for its pioneering status as many first landmark developments took off from the city; such should be brought back.
“It is important to vote wisely and not for money, so that there can be effective leadership to champion development,” he said.
NAN reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was represented at the event by Prof. Bolanle Awe. (NAN)
IBK/MAS/OJO
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(Edited by Moses Solanke/Mufutau Ojo)