The determination of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), being led by Otunba Gani Adams to rejuvenate and resuscitate and sustain Yoruba cultural tourism heritage among Africans in Diaspora is not only gaining global acceptance but spreading like a harmattan fire.
The bright day for the OPU delegates from Nigeria opened up at the Banjul International Airport on November 4 when the Yoruba in The Gambia organised a rousing welcome Yoruba cultural display for the guests.
This spectacular cultural entertainment displayed by the Yoruba cultural group attracted other airport users and travellers by The shouts of Yoruba Nigeria Yoruba sons and daughters joined the group in dancing.
The cultural tone set at the airport ruled the wave of activities of OPU delegates in the Gambia and this was exhibited at the Nigerian House, Gambia, where Otunba Adams and OPU delegates were hosted and received warmly by the staff of the Embassy.
Otunba said: “We are here to stoke the pristine cultural value of our forefathers which we have noticed is on the sliding trend with our people in the Diaspora. We are calling their conscience to re-embrace the ethos, ethics and cultural values of dignity of labour, respect, social interaction without, integrity and responsibility.
All these will make them a worthy citizens of Nigeria in foreign land. And all will shape them up and earn them respect, shore up Nigeria’s image and ensure stability of relationship between them and host country.”
Responding, Mrs Kane who was visibly impressed by the analysis of character reformation and upbraiding set by OPU for its members commended Otunba Adams allowing himself to be used by fate and posterity in revitalization of core cultural values and norms for the glory of the country.
She pointed out: “It does not matter whether it is for the Yoruba or the other. Value is contagious. Good behaviour influences others. This is commendable and worthy of emulation for other race or nations in Nigeria too.”
“What you are doing will further add value to the rating of the Yoruba who are the least problematic group in The Gambia. It is a fact that the Yoruba in The Gambia are best behaved. This cultural wakeup call will further up the ante. This is good and laudable.”
The change and improvement of behavioural pattern was emphasised at the prestigious Officers ‘Mess, Kotu South, The Gambia where Otunba Adams inaugurated Oodua Progressive Union, The Gambia Charter on November 6, 2015.
In the presence of representatives of Ibo, Hausa and Edo communities and at the instance of the consular of Nigeria Embassy, Mrs Ekanem, attested to by three traditional rulers from Yoruba land, Otunba Adams presented the OPU staff of office to Hon Akeem Babatunde Abdu with a stern instruction of “showcasing with, integrity vigour and strength the pristine Yoruba cultural values which make the Yoruba why they are who they are.”
The president of Nigerians in the Gambia, Asiwaju Bashorun Ojikutu lauded Otunba Adams for the inauguration of OPU in the Gambia and assured that “we shall make Yoruba race proud and shore up the image of Nigeria here.”
If the inauguration of OPU in The Gambia has been spectacular, the packaging of the Senegal chapter which was inaugurated at the Cultural Centre, Blaise Senghor, Dakar, Senegal on Sunday 8 November was not a pushed over as the Yoruba turned out in large numbers to showcase culture, values and dancing steps.
Apart from the Nigerian cultural groups which dazzled the guests and members, the OPU Senegal brought in a Senegalese dancing cultural group which set heat of excitement on the environment.
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