The need to preserve and promote Yoruba heritage has been canvassed. This call came from His Royal Majesty, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye, the Oloro of Oro Kingdom in Kwara State.
Oba Oyatoye used the eight edition of Asa Day Festival to highlight untapped economic potential in Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
Held at the Blue Roof in Agidingbi, Ikeja, and in collaboration with Asa Day Worldwide International Canada and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Art, and Culture, the event was themed: Raising the Bar of Lagos Indigenous Cultural Heritage.
“I believe in the future through culture,” Oba Oyatoye said in his address, adding, “we must embrace our cultural assets, which are slowly being eroded by modernity. Yet, despite the Western influence, there is a growing appreciation for our traditions. It’s time to use our culture’s power for the benefit of all.”
Asa Day, which has already become a cherished tradition in Canada, made its second return to Lagos this year, with a spectacular showcase of Yoruba music, art, dance, and performances that captured the essence of the culture.
The festival was a visual and emotional tribute to the Yoruba way of life, one that has withstood centuries of change but continues to thrive.
For Oba Oyatoye, founder of Asa Day Worldwide International Canada, the event was about much more than festivity; it was about tapping into the economic potential of culture.
According to Oyatoye, “we want to raise the flag of Lagos’ indigenous heritage, It’s important to celebrate the culture that made this city what it is today.”
Beyond the revelry, the event also served as a platform to promote culture as a significant economic asset. Yoruba traditions, with their music, art, language, and rituals, are not just about history, they are powerful tools for tourism, job creation, and national pride. The festival demonstrated the growing recognition of cultural heritage as a source of economic opportunity, capable of enriching lives and communities.
Acknowledging the support of the Lagos State government in hosting the festival and expressing hope for even greater government involvement in future editions, he said: “Culture must be harnessed for economic transformation.”
Fuji music icon, Saheed Osupa, commended the collaboration between government and traditional rulers in pushing for cultural initiatives. “This is a wonderful initiative that will help preserve our culture for generations to come,” Osupa said, highlighting the need to treat culture as a treasure that must be safeguarded.
Nollywood actor, Saidi Balogun, also expressed his appreciation to the organisers of the event. He urged parents to take an active role in teaching their children about their roots. “We need to start from home; charity begins at home. If we don’t teach our children who we are, our culture will eventually fade,” he said.
Mrs. Lanre Hassan, also known as Iya Awero, echoed these sentiments, reinforcing the importance of passing down cultural knowledge to the next generation. “Our culture defines who we are. We must protect it and ensure that it’s passed on to future generations,” she said.
