Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A Professor of Fine Arts and Art Education at the Kwara State University (KWASU, Malete), Binta Ajibola Sulyman, has stressed the need to preserve indigenous cultural heritage, noting that it plays a vital role in enhancing community cohesion and sustaining peace within society.

Professor Sulyman made the submission on Wednesday, during the 21st Inaugural Lecture of Kwara State University, titled ‘The Ilorin Royal Dance Tradition
(Ijo Olomo Oba): A Catalyst for Cultural Identity, Artistic Expression, and Creative Economy”.

Professor Sulyman highlighted the connection between fine arts and traditional performative dance, stressing the sustainability of Ijo Ọlọ́mọ Ọba, a traditional dance deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the Ilorin people.

Declining youth participation, poor documentation, inadequate institutional support, and the increasing dominance of Western cultural forms were some factors the inaugural lecturer attributed to the perception of traditional arts as outdated, thus placing valuable cultural heritage at risk of extinction.

She argued that preserving cultural traditions does not require resistance to modernisation but rather a careful integration of traditional values with contemporary realities.

Such an approach, she noted, would enable cultural practices to remain relevant to younger generations while retaining their historical significance.

Professor Sulyman also stressed the importance of incorporating indigenous music and performative arts into educational curricula, recommending that Nigerian schools give greater attention to teaching and performing traditional musical forms from ethnic traditions in Nigeria.

She noted that education remains one of the most effective tools for transmitting cultural knowledge across generations that fosters a sense of identity and belonging among young

Beyond cultural preservation, the scholar linked indigenous arts to peacebuilding and social development. She explained that cultural performances such as Ijo Ọlọ́mọ Ọba strengthen social cohesion, promote intergenerational dialogue, and reinforce shared values that contribute to peaceful coexistence within communities.

She observed that cultural heritage serves as a unifying force capable of bridging social divides and fostering mutual understanding among diverse groups, making it an important resource for community development and nation-building.

Professor Sulyman called for a holistic approach involving education, innovation, community participation, and institutional support to ensure the sustainability of Ijo Ọlọ́mọ Ọba. She expressed optimism that with deliberate preservation efforts, the dance would not only survive but also gain wider national and international recognition as a significant component of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega and former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi are among Speakers at the forthcoming 35th Conference of Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), scheduled to hold between 9th and 11th June, 2026, at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State.

The conference which is to be hosted by the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, is devoted to assessing the progress made by Nigeria under civil rule since 1999.

The NPSA President, Prof.
Hassan Saliu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday.

According to him, “arrival is 9th June 2026, while the opening ceremony takes place on 10th June 2026. The conference extends to 11th June, 2026.

“Academics, policy makers, students, and members of the public are expected to grace the occasion, which promises an exciting moment for all attendees.

“The occasion will be chaired by the immediate past President of the Association and currently Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof. A. M. Okolie.

“Speakers at the event include Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Prof. Haruna Dlakwa, Prof. Alade Fawole, and Prof. S. S. Ibaba.

“The key element of the conference is the election of a new executive committee to pilot the affairs of NPSA for the next two years. Another highlight is the conferment of Fellowship and Honoured Membership of the Association on deserving members, including Prof. Tunde Adeniran, former Minister and Ambassador, Prof. John Ayoade of the defunct Centre for Democratic Studies, Abuja, Prof. Attahiru Jega, former INEC Chairman, and other awardees.”

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Most Rev. Israel Afolabi Amoo, has urged the three tiers of government in Nigeria to prioritise good governance, capacity building, transparency and accountability as essential tools for tackling insecurity and poverty, improving service delivery and restoring public confidence in governance.

The Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Kwara and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of New Bussa, made the call while delivering his Bishop’s Charge at the Second Session of the Sixth Synod of the Diocese of New Bussa, held at St. John Church, under the theme: “Godly Remnants” (Isaiah 37:31-32).

Archbishop Amoo emphasised that a peaceful, secure and just society remains indispensable for sustainable growth and national development.

The cleric described the current security situation in the country as alarming and frightening, noting that insecurity has become one of the greatest threats to national development.

According to him, no segment of society is spared from the menace, as the rich and poor, young and old, schools, institutions and places of worship have all become targets of criminal activities.

“The challenge of insecurity of lives and property has assumed an alarming proportion in Nigeria. There is hardly any safety anywhere, and Nigerians are confronted daily with various forms of hardship and fear,” he said.

The Archbishop lamented the activities of terrorists, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements, stressing that the prevailing atmosphere of fear discourages investment, weakens economic growth and undermines national development.

He called on the Federal Government to adequately equip security agencies with modern weapons and intelligence-gathering capabilities to effectively confront criminal elements threatening the nation’s peace and stability.

He also advocated regular theoretical, psychological and practical training for security personnel to enhance their operational effectiveness.

Speaking on the nation’s economy, Archbishop Amoo noted that despite Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources, poverty continues to increase among citizens.

He observed that economic growth has not translated into improved living standards for many Nigerians and attributed the situation partly to the country’s overdependence on crude oil revenues.

The cleric urged the government to pursue aggressive industrialisation and economic diversification policies capable of creating sustainable wealth, generating employment opportunities and promoting local production.

“We must move from merely sharing the national cake to baking it. Nigeria must harness its abundant resources to establish industries, create jobs and improve the welfare of the people,” he stated.

On governance, the Archbishop lamented what he described as widespread corruption, poor service delivery, decaying infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities and the declining standard of education across the country.

He expressed concern over the poor state of roads, irregular electricity supply, inadequate potable water and the growing unemployment rate, saying these challenges have eroded public confidence in government institutions.

Archbishop Amoo further decried the increasing influence of money, ethnicity and mediocrity in politics and public appointments, warning that such practices undermine efficiency and national development.

The church leader called for a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, merit-based leadership and human capital development.

The cleric stressed that Nigeria’s quest for good governance would only be achieved through a change in societal values, selfless leadership, strengthened public institutions and effective anti-corruption mechanisms.