NACUS campus: Ogbomoso is a centre of pure Yoruba culture, will benefit new institution, Stakeholders say
Femi OGUNLANA
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The decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to site a campus of the Nigerian Academy of Cultural Studies (NAC0109244755US) in Ogbomoso Oyo state, has been receiving applause with the move being described as a proper recognition of the community as a centre of culture where Yoruba culture, custom and traditions in their untainted forms can be found.
Recall the announcement was made last week that NACUS would takeoff with four campuses in September 2025 at four locations including Lagos, Calabar, Abuja and Ogbomoso. Various culture – related courses, pharmacology and cultural technology are listed as parts of the programmes of the ambitious institution that will be awarding National Diploma and Postgraduate Degrees.
In a Facebook comment in the Ogbomoso Insight Page, one netizen, Olugbemiga Olalude, noted that the successful Cradle Carnival held in Ogbomoso last December must have further reinforced the choice of the city as a site for the institution while expressing gratitude to all who facilitated its location in the city.
He emphasized Ogbomoso is a centre of culture boasting superior Yoruba language variant that can be harnessed to become an asset just as he highlighted other remarkable cultural advancements that the institution can explore such as the deep practice of herbal medicines, varieties of beauty products and so on, noting the pharmacology programme particularly will have much on its hand.
Olalude submitted, “The Ogbomoso Cradle Carnival was endorsed by both the Oyo State Government and The Federal Government. They fully participated and sent their representatives to the Carnival. The Federal Government must have been very impressed by the cultural displays and performances during the carnival and the recent announcement to site a campus of the newly established Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS) can be attributed as part of the dividends of staging the Carnival.
“Ogbomoso is a centre of culture. While we as indigenes and native speaker may take it for granted, the type of Yoruba language we speak is a great asset- if well harnessed. Whenever, I listen to Agba Inaki, he has been able to monetize the Ogbomoso variant of Yoruba language- leveraging on education and technology to reach a wider audience.
“Now with the siting of this school at our doorstep, upcoming generations should be able to blend culture with education. My expectation is that those who are young drummers will not end up as ‘alulu gbomi eko’ but as rich international drummers through the platform that NACUS will provide.”
Expressing his satisfaction with incorporation of pharmacology into the programmes of the new institution, he noted, “I am happy that NACUS will also offer Cultural Pharmacology as a course. Ogbomoso is blessed with those who can use herbs to treat ailments. As a child who often had nosebleeds, ‘ewe efinrin’ was usually applied until I no longer had it.
“For convulsive (daku) children in those days, Ile Abegan used to be the port of call. It will be good synergy if NACUS can work with our local practitioners with long history of trado-medic practices to document their works and produce capsules/tablets using local herbs in line with the Mandate NACUS. With botanical gardens to be put in place, herbs will be deliberately planted for medicinal use.
“With Cultural Technology, local resources through indigenous technology can be harnessed for practical use. For example, molafo (bathing soap) and Osun (camwood) are natural beauty products that can be packaged and made attractive for the market.
“NACUS will be an entertainment cum creativity hub that will attract practitioners in the film and entertainment industry. With time, it could have its own film village and studios for movie production. Such an institution will also be a good venue/centre for hosting events/conferences pertaining to arts, culture and entertainment.
“In conclusion, I thank His Imperial Majesty for showcasing Ogbomoso culture to the world through the Cradle Carnival. Even the naysayers can see the undeniable proofs- corporate endorsement/sponsorship by MTN and the newly established South West Campus of NACUS, among others.
“Also, kudos to Baba Kabiyesi, for donating a building for the take-off. As a forward-looking monarch, I believe Baba Soun will acquire a large expanse of land for the permanent site as this is a campus with potential to become a standard institution in the future and land for such expansion should not be a constraint. God bless Baba Kabiyesi and other individuals that made this possible.’
Another commentator Ismaila Abubakar remarked it was good news stressing the institution will afford the community to showcase its widespread knowledge of herbs and roots and avail the new academy of the opportunities herein.
In a WhatsApp message to ogbomosoinsightomline.com, he had written, exuding passion, “This is a good news to Ogbomoso. Knowledge of roots & herbs abound in Ogbomoso which is an opportunity to showcase (and explore) our forefathers’ knowledge of packaging traditional medicine & subject them to scientific research.”
Abubakar also advocated provision of large expanse of land for the institution so it can accommodate large botanical gardens and for future expansion while disclosing the country already had an institute of traditional medicine in Lagos and pharmaceutical research in Abuja particularly registering interest in the pharmacology programme, “What interest me most is pharmacology where our roots & herbs will be packaged & subjected to scientific research. This means botanical garden & laboratories will be established.”
He said resource persons that can collaborate with the department of pharmacology abound in the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, making case for productive synergy.
“I have written article on the need to.promote pharmacology & pharmacognosy in Ogbomoso. This may motivate LAUTECH to establish Faculty of Pharmacy or partner with the new institute.
“Resource persons abound in LAUTECH in departments of biology, microbiology, pharmacology & therapeutic. Interestingly, LAUTECH offers MSc in Pharmacology & Therapeutics but not at first degree.
“As an addendum, Pharmacology deals with efficacy of drugs. The new institute will sensitize the public on dosage which the local.people have little knowledge about. The youths can be encouraged to study courses related to what they inherited from their parents regarding roots & herbs i.e _agbo &_ _agunmu_”
Abubakar added that the institution will establish film villages to train practitioners and avail them of opportunities to set plays in natural village environments that dot Ogbomoso area.
“The new institution can focus on development of film production village where producers & other professionals in the film industry can be trained in a natural setting or abode to showcase our cultural heritage.’
He opined meanwhile that affiliation of the institution to Nasarawa State University (for its postgraduate programmes) “is good but it can be transfered to LAUTECH that has begun causes in Arts & Social Sciences, this will be an added advantage to the community.”
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“Resource persons in the area of pharmacology related courses exist in LAUTECH. I wish a vast land will be donated by the community to build a befitting institution in Ogbomoso.’
Similarly, Alaaje of Aaje Ologo in Ogbomoso HRH Oba Reuben Adesina Amao Osunbiyi l, DSS rtd, hailed the initiative, however looking at it through another perspective.
He expressed hope NACUS will embody programmes that will present an opportunity for traditional rulers and chiefs to widen their horizons especially in the area of tradition and culture and the need to adhere to these to stimulate growth..
Oba Amao a retired Assistant Director General of Department of State Services (DSS) submitted in a WhatsApp message to Ogbomoso Insight, “Wonderful!!! This would go a long way if through this institute we are made to know what is culture, custom, nature, values, mores, ethics, religion, tradition etc.
“Attitudes would positively change for the betterment of our chieftaincy sector and there will be the desire for peace for development,” while commending Oba Ghandi Olaoye, “Kudos to our learned, civilized, educated and well exposed monarch of this generation.”
