The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to see the promotion of Nigeria’s indigenous languages, culture, tradition and historical background as a call to duty.

Adams said this would help to preserve Nigerians’ identity as a people, as well as ensure that the culture and heritage thrive for generations to come.

He gave the charge in his keynote address at the Asia International Summit 2025, organised by the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), Asia chapter.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo, who spoke on the theme, “Importance of Diaspora Yoruba Activities In Promoting Yoruba Heritage Worldwide,” said that the Yoruba people in the Diaspora served as a vital bridge connecting the homeland with the world.

“The Yoruba people are rich in culture and tradition, language, arts, and values, which all represent a significant part of Nigeria’s national identity and cultural wealth.

“Values, such as discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance, self-reliance, and patriotism, are all principles that resonate deeply within the Yoruba culture,” he said.

Adams, who is the Global Convener of OPU spread across 103 countries, noted that cultural festivals, language promotion, traditional arts, community organisations, and formation of socio-cultural groups, helped to sustain Nigeria’s rich culture and identity across the world.

“A good reference is the activities of OPU Malaysia that include the yearly Oodua Day, football competitions and humanitarian programmes. In Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and other Asian countries, they also hold yearly cultural and humanitarian programmes.

“If all these programmes do not hold in the various chapters, our children and wives will lose touch with our language, culture, tradition and historical background.

“These activities not only strengthen cultural identity, but also enhance Nigeria’s image internationally, fostering mutual understanding and respect among diverse people,” he said.

Adams observed that the use of Nigeria’s unique languages in the course of the activities of Nigerians in the Diaspora was a critical aspect of cultural preservation, adding: “The importance of indigenous languages in cultural expression cannot be over-emphasised. This recognition underscores the importance of promoting Yoruba language and culture in the Diaspora communities to ensure their sustenance.”

He stressed that the Diaspora Yoruba activities also contributed to social and economic development by creating networks that facilitate trade, education, and cultural exchange.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, called for relentless actions from Yoruba in the Diaspora to strengthen the Yoruba culture.

He said this was because the world was changing rapidly, and in many instances, the changes, being sponsored by the more economically and technologically advanced countries, were negative.

Raheem, who was Head of the Centre for School and Community Science and Technology Studies (SACOST) at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, stressed the need for self-preservation of Yoruba identity, which, according to him, is appreciated globally.

In his welcome speech, the Asia Continental Coordinator of OPU, Olakanye Franklin, said the summit was a symbol of unity, collective vision, and cultural pride as Yoruba sons and daughters in Asia.