ABEOKUTA – Yusuf Olatunji Foundation on Sunday commended some members of the public for their outstanding role in promoting Yoruba culture.
The foundation established in memory of late Sakara icon, Yusuf Ajao Olatunji equally raised alarm over dearth of traditional music in Nigeria.
The son of the late Sakara legend, Olawale Yusuf said Sakara, Apala and other traditional music which are reflection of Nigeria’s culture have been neglected by the youths for foreign music.
Yusuf, who spoke in Abeokuta on Sunday during the maiden edition of Yusuf Ajao Olatunji Foundation end of the year Get-Together held at Obasanjo Presidential Library appealed to stakeholders in the music industry and South West Governors to find ways in promoting traditional music among the upcoming artistes.
He added that the Lyrics of Traditional music such as Sakaraof his late father is embedded and embraced in the Yoruba culture.
Speaking on Yusuf Olatunde Foundation, (YAO Foundation), Yusuf said the foundation was named after his father as a way of lending a helping hand to the needy, retain his father’s music career and also to serve as blue print for other sakara upcoming artiste.
“Although the my dad is dead, but his work lives. And in order to keep his legacy rolling, that is why we established this foundation as a way of mentoring sakara music artistes and promote for better tomorrow.
“We cannot continue to throw away our culture, sense of reasoning for foreign language and culture. We need to go back to the basics which is traditional music. You will agree with that, many so called Hip Hop music we have around today have no meaning or direct message to inspire the people anymore which has in no small measure contributed to societal ills and moral decadence among our youths nowadays.
“So, we felt, it cannot continue like this, we need to revive the sakara music and appreciate those who have over the years stood with us and assisted us in sustaining my father’s legacy”, he added.
He further added that, the YAO foundation in the recent years provide succour to the downtrodden in the state through empowerment of the aged, scholarship for Primary and Secondary School pupils among others.
At the end of the year get-together and award ceremony, four notable Nigerians were awarded among whom are; Alhaji Abidoye Ajani Amosun, PCRC South West Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, Mr. Tomitope Sudiq and Mrs. Iyabode Adunni.
