The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, has commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, for his intervention in the beautification of the Deji’s Palace and the redesign of its entrance, describing the project as a crucial step toward preserving the cultural heritage of the Kingdom.

According to the monarch, the intervention undertaken by the minister formed part of efforts to restore the palace and ensure it reflects the status of the traditional institution it houses.

The traditional ruler noted that the project would go beyond physical beautification, serving to project the palace and its heritage to residents, visitors, and younger generations.

While appreciating Olawande for identifying with the traditional institution, the Deji hailed him for supporting a project that has enhanced the appearance of one of Akure’s most important landmarks.

He urged other Akure indigenes, public officials, and corporate organisations to support similar initiatives aimed at preserving the city’s historical and cultural assets, stressing that the preservation of the palace should be regarded as a collective responsibility, particularly as urban development continues to reshape the city.

The monarch expressed hope that the beautification project would stimulate further interventions to preserve other sections of the palace and promote Akure’s cultural heritage.

He added that the initiative demonstrated how individuals and public officials could contribute to their communities not only through government programmes but also by supporting projects that preserve history, culture, and identity.

Speaking on why he deemed the project necessary, Olawande said his decision was informed by the historical and cultural importance of the palace to the people of Akure.

He explained that the palace was not only the residence of the Deji but also a living symbol of the history, traditions, and identity of the Akure people, stressing the need for the present generation to preserve such heritage for generations yet unborn.

According to him, improving the physical appearance of the palace was a way of demonstrating respect for the traditional institution while ensuring that an important part of Akure’s history continued to receive the attention it deserved.

“I believe that the Deji’s Palace is not just a building; it is a symbol of who we are as Akure people. It carries our history, our culture and the story of generations before us.

“I deemed it necessary to renovate and redesign the palace because we cannot continue to talk about preserving our heritage while allowing important symbols of that heritage to deteriorate.

“This intervention is my own contribution to preserving the history of Akure for the younger generation. They must be able to see, appreciate and connect with the heritage that belongs to them.

“The redesign is not about changing the identity of the palace. It is about giving this historic institution an environment that reflects its importance while retaining its cultural character.”

The Minister said he considered it important to contribute to the project, particularly that the palace had served generations of traditional rulers and remained central to the cultural life of Akure.