We want to showcase Yoruba cultural-tourism asset in Holland - Banji Ojo, Coordinator, Odua Progressive Union, Holland

Chief Banji Ojo

Nigerians in the Diaspora  are now conscious of the value and pride inherent in the cultural –tourism asset of their fatherland and ready to showcase and tell the world that the good of nature and culture starts and ends in Africa. This is definitely the path being pursued by the Yoruba in Holland who, in their wisdom, have decided to showcase the cultural –tourism assets of their fatherland.
According to Chief Banji Ojo, the co-ordinator, Odua Progressive Union, Holland, “We Yoruba in Holland under the aegis of Otunba Gani Adams Odua Progressive Union have realised the uniqueness of the Yoruba race in terms of its cultural–tourism assets and we have decided to showcase this throughout the Netherlands.
The uniqueness of the Yorubas is based on our cultural heritage and the fact that   we are all from Ile Ife, which serves as the source of all races of the world. Our cultural value is the superstructure on which all world cultures rest on. Hence we are ready to expose it here.”
Chief Ojo, who is the Chief Executive Officer, B B Communications, Amsterdam, said that “we are mobilising our people here and even training and teaching our children how to do our dances and sing our songs without any accent of  the Dutch.”
He revealed that the tourism cultural show had received the support of the government of Holland which had agreed not only to support the show but to be one of the major sponsor of the event.
“We are dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s to make sure that our tourism cultural show shakes the whole of Holland. We are not taking anything for granted. Otunba Gani Adams, is busy making sure that the home front is okay while we are going to tie this end well.”
Chief Banji Ojo revealed that the two Yoruba associations in the Netherlands; Accord Club and Oduduwa Group, are in concord and harmony over the event
“This event is not a group matter. It is about why we are who we are. We are all in the same boat.  We have set up a central committee to handle the packaging and organisation of the show, which will be the first of its kind. The task of propagating our culture, custom and value is a collective effort.”
Chief Ojo disclosed that “We are inviting prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland . We are expecting the event to showcase the unity of interest among our traditional rulers as our foremost Kabiyesi, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, are expected to lead 30 others prominent Obas of Yorubas to Holland.”
He revealed that Otunba Adams, the President of Odua Peoples Congress, was expected to come to Holland for the sign – off of the date.  
“Otunba Gani Adams will soon be in Holland for the inauguration of the date. It is going to be a three-day festival of the best of Yoruba culture, dance, foods and dressing. The governors of Osun and Ekiti States are special guests.”
Chief Ojo, pointed out that “We are going to have a lecture on what makes the Yoruba race what it is.
The Eyo and other  masquerade from Yoruba land will display their dance step, while the gala nite will be devoted to  showcasing the various types of Yoruba foods and drinks, while prominent Yoruba citizens who have contributed to the development of relationship between Nigeria and the Netherland will be honored.”
He disclosed that the Yoruba in Netherland are “not limiting the invitation within the Netherlands but we have stretched our hands of friendship to other Yoruba associations in the UK, Germany, France and Russia, Ireland and Spain.”
Ojo revealed that “Here in Holland, we are serious about promoting the Yoruba culture and that is why we have established coaching lesson for all Yoruba children and cultural days declared every month. We have to motivate, teach and let our children embrace our culture. We don’t want the fact that we live abroad to take our culture away from our children. Our forefathers will punish us if we commit this cultural suicide.”
He called on all Nigerians in diaspora to wake up to the new era of cultural rejuvenation so as to be able to sustain and maintain “our cultural identity from this generation to the next.