…… a project to preserve and promote the Yoruba culture….
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has inaugurated the Board of Trustees for the Olowe of Ise Art Foundation on Wednesday, the 17th of January 2024, with a call for preservation of Yoruba heritage and legacy of the world-renowned carver.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti, where Mr Oyebanji praised members of the board for their integrity and talent.
He said the board would oversee the establishment of the Olowe Museum in Ise Ekiti, which would showcase the artistic and cultural significance of Olowe of Ise, whose works have been displayed in overseas museums, especially in the United States.
“The museum is not just an act of preservation; it is a commitment to safeguarding our heritage, celebrating our artistic contributions, and presenting an enduring legacy for future generations,” Mr Oyebanji said.
He appealed to the people of Ise Ekiti to cooperate with the board and support the project, which he said would bring development to the town and put it on the world map.
The Director General of Ekiti State Tourism Agency, Mr Wale Ojo Lanre, said the board would ensure that the remarkable artistic genius of Olowe of Ise is celebrated and cherished throughout the world.
A curator, Prince Tunde Odunlade, who presented an overview of Olowe of Ise and his historical significance, stressed the need for everyone to support the initiative of building the museum for the benefit of Ekiti state.
The Arinjale of Ise Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Ajayi, expressed his delight over the initiative and thanked the Governor for honoring Olowe of Ise with the museum.
He also promised to create an enabling environment for the project to succeed.
Chief Yemi Shyllon, Chief Nike Okundaye, and Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi also gave their goodwill messages, saying that the museum would contribute to the economic development of Ekiti state and make it a domestic and international tourist center.
They also said that Olowe of Ise had become a prominent member of the global economy by virtue of his works, which generate income for foreign institutios and countries.
The chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said the board would work diligently to ensure the success of the museum and make it a conduit of cultural exchange with global communities.
He said the board members would embrace their roles with dedication and responsibility, and foster an environment of collaboration, innovation, and diversity.
Senator Ojudu expressed optimism that the museum would become a center of artistic dialogue and cultural enrichment.
