A new chapter of the Odua Progressive Union (OPU) has been inaugurated in Dublin, Ireland to promote, enhance and sell the pristine Yoruba culture particularly among the Diaspora.
The ceremony attracted hundreds of Yoruba people who turned out in colourful traditional attires.
Impressed by the event, Mr John Smith, a guest at the Lucan Spa Hotel, Dublin, venue of the event, couldn’t help but marvel at the various designs and colourful constellations of traditional attires and cultural dances exhibited.
He said: “This is very colourful. I am endeared to this country Nigeria and the Yoruba race in particular. I know that Dublin harbours a sizeable number of Nigerians but this is my very first time of seeing so beautiful and colourful side of Nigerians.”
The Yoruba in Dublin, who have been eager to showcase Nigerian cultural identity, utilised the opportunity to bring out their best attire and display their dancing steps at the launch of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), which is a socio-cultural association initiated by Otunba Gani Adam, the National coordinator of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), to stimulate and revive the pristine Yoruba culture and tradition among the Diaspora.
The association, which has been founded in over 52 countries of the world, was again inaugurated in Ireland to the embrace and acceptance of the Yoruba who believed that such an association was long overdue.
OPU Ireland Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Saheed, commended Otunba Adams for his untiring efforts at ensuring the revitalisation and rejuvenation of Yoruba culture, arts and tourism assets among the Diaspora Yoruba .
“I must specially thank and commend Otunba Gani Adam who has risen stoutly beyond politics and personal consideration this time around and embark on the voyage of Yoruba cultural evangelisation and revivalism all over the world . This has become imperative because of the dangerous trend of extinction which our cultural values , language and identity has been trekking lately,” he said.
Saheed said: “The fact is that this kind of association was long overdue mainly because some of us here have not only been displaced psychologically but we have allowed the material and social circumstances of our new environment to rob off our culture identity, value and sense of perception. This is why is why some of us are here to identify with the mission of Otunba Adams on OPU and ready to stoke the fire of the vision with all our energy, strength and material resources “
Saheed commended other coordinators from Europe, America and Britain led by Akogun Banji Ojo for witnessing the inauguration of OPU Ireland Chapter.
He added: “I will once again assure all in this hall, particularly Otunba Adams, who is here with two other royal fathers from Nigeria, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko and Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti State that we members of OPU Ireland will not only engage in acts that will tarnish the image of Nigeria, nether shall we involve in any act that will stain the integrity of the Yoruba race but especially we shall do everything positively humanly possible to promote , enhance and spread the traditional values and culture of Yoruba race“
Oba Adewole and Oba Olanipekun, who were at the event, lauded the people for making the race proud by their attires and traditional costumes.
They urged people of Yoruba ancestry living abroad not to forget their roots but to also ensure their children speak, dance and imbibe the Yoruba culture.
The Ajero of Ijero said: “Your birth and time has placed on your shoulders the role to ensure that your children imbibe our culture and know the values which has brought you this far. Any attempt by you in not doing this may warrant on us generational curses by the time our great grand children are living without identity “
He charged the Yoruba in Ireland to hold their head high and flaunt the traditional values and culture of their pedigree.
Otunaba Adams commended Saheed for his temerity of purpose and organisational ability by holding a beautiful event and “convincing all of us here particularly the delegate from Nigeria to be here today,”
Otunba Adams, who made a clarification between Oodua People’s Congress, O(PC) and Oodua Progressive Union, (OPU) said: “I must enlighten all about the difference between Oodua Progressive Union, OPU and Oodua People’s Congress, OPC. Oodua People’s Congress is a Nigerian based organisation ready to fight and agitate for the protection of the territorial integrity and political respect of Yoruba race while Oodua Progressive Union is out to promote, enhance and sell the pristine Yoruba culture, particularly among the Diaspora. You cannot be members of both. If you want to be OPC you cannot be OPU. OPU is culturally inclined with every sense of responsibility while OPC is for agitation via responsible militancy and strident advocacy for our race’s right.”
“OPU is not political but purely for the propagation of our cultural values, assets and promotion of our pristine tourism assets for profitability and acceptance. That is why we lay emphasis on celebration and showcasing of our culture whenever OPU is inaugurated. This is because we must show the part of what they should come to Yoruba land to see ,“ he stressed.
Mr Femi Daviesof Metroline news blog, described the inauguration of the OPU Ireland chapter as a testimony to the global appreciation of the efforts of Otunba Adams Cultural Revolution and his global acceptance as a world-class cultural idol whose acts are recognised san Nigerian’s border .
“OPU Ireland inauguration was a plus to Nigeria and a good one from the stable of Otunba Gani Adams. I was elated by the comments and responses of Dubliners who were fortunate to see Yoruba culture on display. It brought out one single fact, that if well packaged, Nigeria culture can sell Nigeria better and can also attract the right people and investment to Nigeria,” he added.
