+His Appointment As National Museum Ambassador
Chief ‘Lekan Alabi, the Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadanland is a veteran journalist and the retired pioneer Corporate Affairs Manager of Oodu’a Investment Company Limited. He has added yet another honour to his many achievements in life as he has been appointed the Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife, by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. Through its letter AF. 333/IFM/?V11/1351 of 29th March,2017 and signed by the Curator, Mr. J.O Ogundele, FCAI.
The formal presentation of insignia of office will hold soon in Ile-Ife, State of Osun.
This appointment is, however, coming at a time when Oloye Lekan Alabi is being severally honoured for his outstanding activities as an Activist and a great promoter of Yoruba Culture and Tradition.
In January this year, precisely Tuesday, 17th January, 2017, at an epoch event inside the Oyo State NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, he celebrated his 50 years of Civil Rights Activism.
Interestingly, between that time and now, Oloye Lekan Alabi has won many awards. Among which is the Federation of Ibadan Students Union (FIBSU) National and in diaspora, as part of the 2017 CCII Ibadan Cultural Week in March 2017. This was in appreciation of a 17-year-old Ibadan young student back then (Lekan Alabi), who had the courage to write the then Millitary Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), in 1976, to either release then Mr. Wole Soyinka (now a world famous professor) from prison detention in Kaduna; ‘Light Icon’ Award from Fitila Global Entertainment-a Marketing/Entertainment Company, for ‘Lekan Alabi’s courage and many achievements in activism. Now, the latest one as Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife.
Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, Litt.(h.c.), deserves more; he has done wonderfully well for himself and the society, in both public service and private life. He is a veteran Journalist, Author and a Public Relation expert. Having proved his mettle in both print and electronic media, as well as in public service. He served as Press Secretary to four governors (1 civilian and 3 military) of the old Oyo State from 1983 to 1989. Four-time Coordinator of Sketch Press Limited. he is the Chairman, Adegoke Adelabu Foundation; Trustee, Adekunle Fajuyi Foundation;Yusuf Olatunji Foundation; Duro Ladipo Foundation among others. But how has Chief ‘Lekan Alabi been able to achieve these many feats and what does his new appointment, the Cultural Ambassador for the National Museum entail?
“This is probably because I have had this belief right from the early stage of my life, owing to my background and upbringing that, ‘what is worth doing at all is worth doing perfectly well’. “That had been a kind of guide all my life and there is no way you adhere to this dictum and won’t succeed in life. Honestly, this is a new role entirely though in line with what I am familiar with. There is no doubt in the fact that this new appointment would spur me in the appreciation and promotion of Yoruba time-honoured culture, especially the Yoruba Omoluabi mode, which emphasises Godliness, respect and love for parents and elders, justice, integrity, cleanliness, hard work, freedom and relaxation within reasonable limits, charity etc.
The appointment would also enable me contribute my quota to the tourism sector in the country as Ile-Ife museum “accommodates one of the best exhibition galleries in Nigeria,” ‘Lekan Alabi said in a short interview with City People’s reporter.
“I cherish this new appointment because it is national and in tandem with my traditional belief that every individual, be he/she, Yoruba, Ijaw, Nupe, Jew, English, German, Chinese, Scot, Arab, French, Twi, Zulu, etc, should be proud of his/her culture.
“After all, God created us all and He gave each ethnic group its uniqueness, tradition and culture. Therefore, we must practise and promote our mother-tongue, food, music, dress, values, names, etc.
On how he plans to contribute his quota to the Tourism sector of the country as an Ambassador. Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi has this to say, “I will do my best in making sure that we achieve something good. “If I can write the former Head of State, General Gowon (rtd), at the age of 17, in 1967, to release the then Mr. Wole Soyinka (who is now a word famous professor) from prison detention in Kaduna, much more could be achieved.” I will have to work harder in promoting our culture and tradition, thereby letting people realise the untapped opportunities in Tourism and how it can serve as an alternative to crude oil in boosting our economy.”
“I will appeal again to our governments to engender a safe society where law and order reign, good road networks, efficient/affordable public transport and power supply, telecommunication etc.”
“And also urge
the private sector to support the government in developing the tourism industry by providing world standard hotels, tourist guides and parks, among others.
Chief ‘Lekan Alabi is of strong opinion that if the sector is properly managed, it would make much difference, as an invisible foreign exchange earner.
– Dare Adeniran
