The Central Planning Committee of the 1st World Yoruba Carnival of Arts and Culture has commended the support and immeasurable commitment of the Onirisha, Ooni Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, lku Baba Yeye, the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, and Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, the Alake of Egbaland, among other notable traditional monarchs in ensuring a hitch free celebrations.
The group in a statement made available to our correspondent, was gratified by the invaluable support the Committee has received from the highest echelons of Yoruba traditional Armament to ensure the success of the gathering of the all Yoruba in the motherland to celebrate the race, as well as the resilience of the Yoruba culture on the ascent globally.
It stated that weight of the support was demonstrated in the immeasurable commitment of the Onirisha, Ooni Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, lku Baba Yeye, the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, and Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, the Alake of Egbaland, among other notable traditional monarchs.
Read the full statement below:
The Central Planning Committee of the 1st World Yoruba Carnival of Arts and Culture is gratified by the invaluable support the Committee has received from the highest echelons of Yoruba traditional Armament to ensure the success of the gathering of all Yoruba in the motherland to celebrate the race, as well as the resilience of the Yoruba culture on the ascent globally.
The weight of this support is demonstrated in the immeasurable commitment of the Onirisha, Ooni Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, lku Baba Yeye, the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, and Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, the Alake of Egbaland, among other notable traditional monarchs.
The support to the cause of the reinvigoration of the racial bond of the Yoruba globally has also been greatly enhanced by the unwavering commitment of all the Executive Governors of the South Western states with whom we have been in constant interaction as the preparations for the celebration have evolved.
In this connection, the Committee also wishes to put on record the indefatigable role of community leaders, influencers, and opinion molders among Yoruba communities in Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states.
Given the widening magnitude of the programme and the need to provide ample time to the Yoruba Diaspora globally to fully mobilize for meaningful participation in this historic reunion. The celebration has been pushed forward to between April and May 2022.
Meanwhile, the Central Planning Committee of the 1st World Yoruba Carnival of Arts and Culture would converge at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta in a weeklong retreat from the 3rd to 6th of February 2022 to deliberate on the comprehensive programme of the 2022 Carnival. Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, is also the designated host venue of the carnival events.
We therefore take the opportunity to record the Central Planning Committee’s limitless appreciation of the assured spontaneity in the positive responses of Africa’s leading statesman to the cause of the Carnival of the Yoruba.
All members of the Central Planning Committee, including all Sub-Committee heads, as well as the Carnival Chairman, Dr. Tunde Adegbola, the Coordinator General, Otunba Femmy Carrena, the Director of Carnival, Prof. Ademola Araoye, and the Secretary Mr. Oluwaseun Olayiwola, are expected to be in attendance.
The Carnival Sub-Committees include Marketing, Finance & Administration, Accreditation, Accommodation & Hospitality, Events & Activities, Venues & Structures, Entertainment & Ceremonial, Media & Publicity, Tours & Transport, Contact & Protocols, Security, Emergency & Medicals, Special Events and Editorial Board.
The Carnival will bring together the largest gathering of Yoruba peoples from across the globe-North America, the U.S.A. and Canada; South and Central America, including Brazil, Cuba, and the Caribbean’s; the UK, Europe, West Africa as well as Nigeria, in a festival of music, dance, drama, calisthenics, cultural processions, exciting arrays of foods and culinary delights, artistic and academic endeavor, tours, exhibitions, symposia, and the total celebration of cultural and historical values and achievements.
“Fun Irapada Ara Wa.” (Reaffirming Our Yoruba Identity and Legacy.”)
“Odu’a a gbe wa, o!”
Femi Sowoolu
Media & Publicity Sub-Committee The Central Planning Committee
First World Yoruba Carnival of Arts & Culture Abeokuta. 2022.
10th January 2022.
