By Olawale Ogunbusola, Ibadan

Stakeholders across various disciplines and cultures in Yorubaland have raised concerns about the gradual erosion of culture, history, and other beliefs in the Southwest Region. They said failure to reawaken them may further promote poverty, loss of identity, and cultural misrepresentation.

They stated this during the 140th Kiriji War Legacy event which gathered policymakers, Southwest governors, traditional leaders, dons, public administrators, and students at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan on Monday.

Speaking, the Yoruba Leader and Professor of History, University of Ibadan, Prof. Banji Akintoye, who was represented by Architect Opeoluwa Akinola, noted that the Kiriji War which lasted between 1877 and 1886 almost shattered Yoruba unity and progress as it promoted poverty, tyranny, fragility, and global terrorism.

While he commended warlords including Fabunmi Oke Imesi, Orisarayibi Ogedengbe, and others in the struggles for a peace treaty, the respected historian cautioned Yoruba descendants against repeating the mistakes of the old.

“The 1886 Yoruba peace pact among the affected Yoruba communities far back helped to restore peace, autonomy, diplomatic cohesion, political re-organization, cultural revival, and communal healing, and this must be sustained,” he said.

Also speaking, Ambassador Dosunmu Awolowo, represented by Prof. Remi Ayede of the University of Ibadan, said Yoruba is a community of proud culture, calling on its members to embrace dialogue over confrontation for peace, unity, and sound character that is transferable from one generation to another.

In their separate remarks, Southwest traditional rulers including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Clement Haastrup, represented by his wife, Queen Victoria Haastrup; The Owa of Igbajo; Oore of Otun, Oba Adekunle Adeayo; and others advocated for the protection of Yoruba culture, language, heritage, and beliefs from extinction amid technological and civilization expansion.

The Director General, DAWN Commission, Dr. Segun Oyeleye, and Professor of Peace and Conflict, University of Ibadan, Prof. Olawale Albert, said the remembrance of the Kiriji Peace Pact can be sustained through referencing the Yoruba Warlords, teaching and speaking the Yoruba language through Civic Education in schools, strengthening interfaith culture, and building regional and international relations.

Earlier, the President of Kiriji Heritage Conservative Foundation, Chief Dr. Florence Folami-Adeoye, and the Foundation’s Consultant, Prof. Mrs. Olubukola Oyawoye, who noted that the Kiriji Anniversary and Legacy has been recognized by UNESCO since 2024, urged Yoruba leaders and members to key into the Imesi-Ile Kiriji Project for landmark protection of the 1886 Peace Pact.

The event featured Wole Soyinka’s gift presentation to young students of history and poetry, and awards to individuals who have consistently promoted Yoruba Global Recognition.