Cultural historian Dr. Oludamola Adebowale has emphasized the need for the Federal Government to take decisive steps in safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural legacy. Speaking at the opening of a memorial exhibition in honor of the late Oba Okunadé Adèlé Síjúwadé, the 50th Ooni of Ife, in Lagos, Adebowale highlighted the importance of structured documentation, enhanced support for museums, and wider public access to historical resources.
He called for the integration of heritage education into the national curriculum and the development of a comprehensive archival system that captures Nigeria’s political, cultural, and familial narratives.
The exhibition, which opened on August 4 and runs through August 17, is backed by Ecobank’s Impact Studios. It features an extensive collection of archival content, including objects sourced from state archives, museums, private collections, and governmental bodies.
Adebowale acknowledged the contributions of the Sijuwade Royal Family Archives for preserving a rich trove of images, artifacts, and heirlooms that reflect the late monarch’s legacy.
“These exhibits do more than showcase attire and personal belongings of the Ooni,” he said. “They reignite our shared historical consciousness as Yoruba people, as Nigerians, and as Africans through storytelling that connects us to our roots.”