*A Communique Issued At 1st Yoruba Youth Ambassadors’ Global Conference On Cultural Heritage Preservation Held On February 5, 2025 At Osun State University, Osogbo*

********Yoruba Youth Global Conference Inauguration: UNESCO Laureate Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu commended the effort of Ambassador Ismail Hafeez and others.

Communiqué: Yoruba Youth Global Conference 1.0 organized by YORUBA YOUTH AMBASSADORS

The inaugural Yoruba Youth Global Conference 1.0 was held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium, Osun State University, Osogbo. The conference, which started at 9:00 am and ended at 4:00 pm, was attended by over 600 participants from various backgrounds, including students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

Conference Theme
The theme of the conference was “Reclaiming Our Heritage, Empowering Yoruba Youth.” This theme was chosen to emphasize the importance of preserving and promoting Yoruba cultural heritage, while also empowering Yoruba youth to take leadership roles in shaping the future of Yorubaland.

Conference Objectives and Outcomes
The conference aimed to achieve the following objectives:

1. Promote Yoruba cultural heritage and traditions among Yoruba youth.
2. Empower Yoruba youth with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to succeed in their chosen careers.
3. Explore strategies for economic empowerment and global relevance of Yoruba youth.
4. Foster collaboration and unity among Yoruba people worldwide.

The conference achieved the following outcomes:

1. Increased awareness of Yoruba cultural heritage and traditions among Yoruba youth.
2. Empowered Yoruba youth with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to succeed in their chosen careers.
3. Identified strategies for economic empowerment and global relevance of Yoruba youth.
4. Fostered collaboration and unity among Yoruba people worldwide.
5. Provided networking opportunities for Yoruba youth to connect with successful professionals and entrepreneurs.
6. Facilitated cultural exchange between Yoruba people from different parts of the world.

Renowned speakers and experts shared their insights and experiences on various topics, including:

1. Empowering women, enriching culture: exploring the contributions of women to cultural development.
2. Empowering young people, enriching culture: exploring the contributions of young people to cultural development.
3. Unleashing the potential of Yoruba youth in the global economy.
4. Preserving Yoruba language and cultural traditions.
5. Promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among Yoruba youth.

Distinguished Speakers and Guests
The conference featured distinguished speakers and guests, including:

H E UNESCO Laureate Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu,The Chairman of the Occasion

• Hon. Tunde Lekan Olatunji, former Chief of Osun State House of Assembly.
• Architect Goke Omigbodun, former SDP Osun Governorship Candidate.
• Prof. Florence Adeoti Yussuf, Provost of School of Health Sciences, Osun State University.
• Mrs. Pamela Oriyomi Otuka, Curator of National Museum of Unity, Ibadan.
• Dr. Sesan Azeez, HOD Department of Theatre Art, Osun State University.
• Olori Abebi Oluwaseyi Makama, wife of Oba of Kuta Kingdom.
• Princess Adenike Adeleke, SA to the Governor of Osun State on Widows Affairs.
• Dr. Oladimeji Ojurayo, Senior Lecturer, Federal School of Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
• Dr. Isamot Abdulrahmon Ishola, Senior Tax Expert, Abuja.
• Mr. Ademola Adesoji, Osun State University Public Relations Officer.
• Alhaji Nurudeen Emiloju, SA to the Governor of Osun State on CDs.
• MLS Tijani Adesina.
• Kabiesi Alabere of Abere Kingdom, Oba Dr. Adefemi Mutalib Adelakin.
• Prince Adewale Laoye of Aafin Ilu and numerous others

Key Takeaways
The conference highlighted the importance of:

1. Parents encouraging their children to learn about Yoruba culture.
2. Teachers and lecturers introducing cultural activities into their curricula.
3. Empowering women and young people to take leadership roles in promoting Yoruba cultural heritage.
4. Preserving Yoruba language and cultural traditions.
5. Promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among Yoruba youth.

Cultural Performances
The conference featured various cultural performances, including Ewi, Bata, Ijala, and Iyun, which showcased the rich cultural diversity of the Yoruba people. These performances were well-received by the audience and helped to promote Yoruba cultural heritage.

Future Plans

The conference organizers plan to hold the Yoruba Youth Global Conference 2.0 in Lagos in November 2025. This conference will build on the success of the inaugural conference and will feature more speakers, cultural performances, and networking opportunities.

In addition to the conference, the organizers plan to implement the following projects:

1. Yoruba Cultural Center: Establishing a cultural center to promote Yoruba language, culture, and traditions. The center will offer classes, workshops, and exhibitions on Yoruba culture.
2. Mentorship Program: Developing a mentorship program to pair Yoruba youth with successful professionals and entrepreneurs. The program will provide guidance, support, and networking opportunities for Yoruba youth.
3. Cultural Festivals and Events: Organizing cultural festivals and events to showcase Yoruba cultural heritage. These events will feature music, dance, art, and food from Yorubaland.
4. Yoruba Language and Culture Classes: Offering classes on Yoruba language and culture for children and adults. These classes will be held online and offline.
5. Research and Documentation: Conducting research and documentation on Yoruba cultural heritage. This will include documenting Yoruba traditions, customs, and history.
6. Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborating with organizations, institutions, and individuals to promote Yoruba cultural heritage. This will include partnerships with schools, museums, and cultural centers.

Acknowledgements
The conference organizers appreciate the support of all team members, invited guests, and the management of Osun State University, who provided an enabling environment for the conference.

We also acknowledge the contributions of our volunteers and partners, who helped to make the conference a success.

Closing Remarks
The conference emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Yoruba cultural heritage. As stated by the conference organizers, “Our culture is our identity, and we must always strive hard to take it to greater heights.”

Call to Action
We call on all Yoruba youth, stakeholders, and well-wishers to join us in promoting Yoruba cultural heritage and empowering Yoruba youth. Together, we can build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.