As activities for the Ibadan Cultural Festival Week gain momentum, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) on Tuesday, hosted a youth conference at Bode Amoo Hall, Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
The conference, themed “Empowering Ibadan Future: Igniting Youth Innovation Through Tech and Entrepreneurship,” aimed to expose young people to opportunities in leveraging technology for sustainable entrepreneurship and cultural development.
In his opening remarks, the President-General of CCII, Barrister Sulaiman Ajewole, encouraged youths to see themselves as leaders of today, emphasising that the responsibility of shaping Ibadan’s future lies with them now, not in the distant future.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “From Our Roots to Our Future: Technology as the New Voice of Ibadan Territory,” Professor Oladejo Bolanle of the University of Ibadan underlined the vital role of technology in preserving and promoting Ibadan’s rich cultural heritage.
She warned against neglecting indigenous values, noting that while Ibadan youths are active on social media, there is an urgent need to utilise these platforms to showcase the city’s language, history, and traditions to the global stage.
She called for the digitisation of Ibadan’s cultural heritage, emphasising that these assets can significantly enhance economic value and attract international interest.
Professor Bolanle further identified that emerging tools such as virtual reality and gamified storytelling offer promising avenues to transform Ibadan’s history into revenue streams, including tourism and digital content creation.
She urged youths to shift from being mere consumers of technology to becoming innovators capable of developing solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge.
A highlight of the event was the conferment of the “Icon of Ibadan Heritages” award on six distinguished individuals in recognition of their contributions to the development of Ibadanland. The awardees included Professor Daud Sangodoyin, Oyo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee; Dr. Kola Hammed of Ope-Agbe Construction Company Limited; Dr. Rahmon Akinbode, University Librarian at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University; Adegboyega Ayoade of the Rural Electrification Agency; and Mr. Sikiru Lawal, a United States-based professional.
The conference also featured an engaging panel session where experts in technology and entrepreneurship shared insights on innovation, business growth, and opportunities within the digital economy.
The event attracted a large crowd of youths, stakeholders, and cultural enthusiasts, further confirming the growing significance of technology in shaping the future of Ibadanland.
