The Agbongbon Awo of Osogbo, Chief Fakayode Faniyi, has called on Yoruba people to preserve and sustain their culture and traditions, saying any nation that loses its culture and traditions also loses its identity.
Chief Faniyi made the call while speaking with the crew of Impact Digital Television (IDTV) in Osogbo, stressing that culture remains a major symbol of identity and must therefore be preserved for future generations.
He described as ignorance the tendency of some people to associate Yoruba culture and traditions with fetish practices, noting that traditional religion is different from the cultural values and heritage of the Yoruba nation.
The Agbongbon Awo also decried the attitude of some Yoruba parents who discourage the speaking of Yoruba language in their homes or treat it as a taboo.
According to him, such an attitude reflects ignorance, as many developed nations of the world attained development while preserving and promoting their indigenous languages.
Chief Faniyi explained that Ifa divination serves as a guide in helping individuals understand their sense of direction, character and attitude, urging Yoruba people to stop associating Ifa with negativity.
He also called for religious tolerance among Nigerians, stressing that every religion preaches peace and that no religion should impose its teachings and doctrines on adherents of other faiths.
The traditional religious leader appealed to those who habitually preach against traditional religion to desist, maintaining that traditional worshippers do not engage in disparaging other religions.
Speaking on the prevailing insecurity in the country, Chief Faniyi canvassed divine intervention and called on Nigerians to pray for God's intervention to free the country from banditry, kidnapping and unwarranted killings.
On the political situation in the country, the Agbongbon Awo called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, saying some of the administration's economic reforms were beginning to yield positive results and would position the country for greater economic growth and prosperity.
Chief Faniyi further urged Yoruba people to turn out in their millions to vote for President Tinubu in the forthcoming general elections.
He said the Yoruba should not miss what he described as a rare opportunity of producing a President who would serve for eight years, calling on the people of the South-West to remain united and support the President's re-election bid.
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