The proposed World Headdress Day celebration has received the endorsement of the Olúbàdàn of Ìbàdànland, Ọba Owolabi Akinloye Ọlakulẹhin (Ìgè Ọlákùlẹ́hìn 1), and the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Ọlatunbọsun.
The endorsement was given when the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Ọmọ Yorùbá Àtàtà Socio-cultural Initiative (ỌYÀSI), Ọ̀gbẹ́ni Ọláwálé Àjàó, led members of the group on an advocacy visit to Olúbàdàn’s palace on Tuesday, December 17, to formally introduce the World Headdress Day project and receive royal blessings.
In his remarks, Àjàó highlighted the significance of headdresses in Yorùbà culture and beyond.
He stated: “While caps are meant for mere adornment in many cultures, they serve spiritual, social, and medical purposes in Yorùbàland.
“Through the World Headdress Day, we aim to showcase the diverse significance of headdresses globally, revealing their usefulness in solving human problems.”
Announcing that the maiden edition of the World Headdress Day Celebration will hold on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 10am, at the Single Tennis Court, Lékan Sàlámì Sports Complex, Adàmásingbà, Ìbàdàn, Àjàó added that efforts are ongoing to secure UNESCO’s recognition of the day.
Representing the Olúbàdàn, the Ẹ̀kẹfà Balógun of Ìbàdànland, High-Chief Raufu Amusa Ẹlẹ́rúwẹẹrẹ, commended the initiative, describing it as laudable and necessary for preserving Yoruba culture.
He urged the leadership of ỌYÀSI to ensure the Olúbàdàn is formally invited to the event.
According to him, “this project is vital because many of our people no longer value our culture, while others, including foreigners, are beginning to adopt elements of it, such as tying gèlè (headgear).”
Earlier, Dr. Wasiu Ọlatunbọsun had expressed his support for the project during a meeting with ỌYÀSI leadership at his office in Agodi, Ìbàdàn.
The Olúbàdàn hosted the ỌYÀSI delegation immediately after meeting with the executive members of the Ọ̀yọ́ State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its Chairman, Comrade Ademọla Babalọla.
The NUJ team had visited to update the monarch on their ongoing Press Week, which started on Sunday, December 15, and ends on Friday, December 19.
Comrade Babalọla praised the peaceful reign of Ọba Ọlakuẹhin and invited him to the grand finale of the Press Week, slated for Friday.
The courtesy visits also had in attendance prominent figures such as the President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barrister Sulaiman Ajéníyì Ajéwọlé; the Chairman of Ibadan Baálẹ̀, Baálẹ̀ Taye Ayọrinde; Baálẹ̀ Ọladapọ Wasiu (Baálẹ̀ of Arọ̀rọ́), and the Àrẹ̀mọ Olúbàdàn, Prince Sumbọ Owolabi Ọlakulẹhin.
The World Headdress Day Celebration aims to promote cultural preservation, global recognition, and the practical uses of headdresses across different cultures worldwide.
