It was a great spectacle and cultural renaissance when His Majesty Oba Professor Saka Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom unveiled value added artefacts in historical documentation of Owu Kingdom cultural heritage and traditional values of Yorubaland.
In a unique display of “moonlight storytelling ” act directed by the Akogun Owu-Abeokuta, the American visitors and the people of the kingdom were reconnected to the traditional ways of providing education, moral impartation and entertainment as culturally espoused in the land of our forefathers.
In another dimension, it was a grandiose- EXHIBITION OF ART WORKS IN OLOWU’S PALACE.
The exhibition was at the instance of Olowu of Owu Kingdom Abeokuta for specific viewing of his guests from Rutgers University,Camden
New Jersey USA.
The guests are in Nigeria for discussions on academic and other related collaborative projects are:-
1.Dr. Antonio Tillis – Chancellor, Rutgers University – Camden, New Jersey, USA;
- Dr Jimmy Yung – Senior Vice Chancellor and Christa Saunders – Consultant;
3.Mrs Bola Ibraheem – Associate Director Finance and Human Resources, Rutgers Global.
The 11 works on display are works by Kenny Badaru ( a fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists) and David Badaru (an upcoming artist).
Majority of the works were created with the use of discarded materials and they express concern for creative management of waste globally.
Themes for the works include:-
- Comfort Zone
- Pendulum 1 & 2
- Floral Landscape
- Bull’s Eye
- Pendulum ( Global)
The works on Legendary Tortoise 1 & 2 generated interest because of their reference to African folklore about tortoise. This led to a story telling session organized to the admiration of the guests and everyone present.
The purposeful event climaxed with the inauguration of the Olowu Mediation Centre, where a typical family land issue was settled by a Chartered Mediator, His Highness Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade of Akinale in company of Mr Eyitayo Jemiri, chief Olaonipekun Abolaji and Oluroko, Abdul Waheed Ayoade.
Others at the ADR Mediation Centre include Olori Ameenah Adeleye Matemilola,the Orunto Owu, chief Abiodun Lasile, chief Kehinde Sogunle, Former commissioner of Finance, Ogun State.
