The Oyo State government has pledged stronger institutional support for the promotion of indigenous culture, with the state’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism backing the third edition of the Annual World Headdress Celebration.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, gave the assurance when the leadership of the Ọmọ Yorùbá Àtàtà Socio-cultural Initiative (ỌYÀSI), organisers of the celebration, paid him a courtesy visit in Ibadan on recently.
Olatunbosun described the initiative as laudable and promised his total support for the successful hosting of the event, scheduled for Monday, December 28, at the Single Tennis Court, Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
He also said the celebration would be included in activities lined up for Vibing December, the Oyo State Government’s festive-season cultural and entertainment programme introduced in 2025.
The proposed inclusion is expected to give the World Headdress Celebration greater visibility while providing another platform for showcasing Yorùbá heritage and cultural expression during the festive period.
Vibing December was launched as a month-long programme featuring cultural, entertainment and tourism activities across Oyo State.
Earlier, the General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture, Sikiru Adekunle Agboola, said the ministry remained open to supporting people with creative ideas and providing opportunities for them to translate those ideas into cultural initiatives.
His remarks highlighted the importance of an enabling environment for projects aimed at preserving traditional knowledge and presenting indigenous culture to contemporary audiences.
Chairman of ỌYÀSI, Olawale Ajao, thanked Olatunbosun for his continued support for the World Headdress Celebration since its inception in 2024.
Ajao also commended the commissioner’s contributions to the culture and tourism sector, describing his achievements as unprecedented among previous occupants of the office.
He recalled Olatunbosun’s earlier contributions to the ministry of information, where he said the commissioner left an enduring legacy.
Founded in 2024, ỌYÀSI organises the World Headdress Celebration as its flagship programme, with a focus on promoting, preserving and documenting Yorùbá culture while encouraging wider global appreciation of indigenous heritage.
The celebration has grown into an annual platform for examining the cultural significance of headdresses, including their roles in identity, social status, tradition and belonging.
The second edition was held in December 2025 and featured cultural figures and advocates from across the country.
The 2026 edition is expected to bring together participants from different cultural backgrounds to celebrate traditional and contemporary headwear and examine its continuing relevance in cultural identity and expression.
The ỌYÀSI delegation to the meeting was led by Ajao and included Saheed Alatise, Nurudeen Adeyemi Olorire, Latifat Adejoke Adebola, Ethan Abanikannda, Boluwaji Olaniyi and Bejide Oladimeji.
Officials accompanying the commissioner included Agboola; Director of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Titilayo Lawal; Director of Research, A. O. Akinola; Human Resource Manager, A. A. Jimoh; Director of Finance, Mrs Ajoje; Director of Cultural Troupe, Mrs Folashade Salam; Director of Visual Art, Mrs Adeyemi; and Director of Tourism, Mrs Ifamayowa Ifadeebo.
Other ministry officials, tourism officers and members of the Akede Asa Crew also attended the meeting.
