By John Dike
The Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has been chosen as the exclusive academic partner to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in the formulation and execution of the proposed Nigerian Living Human Treasure Commission, an affiliate of UNESCO.
This was contained in a statement issued by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji and made available to newsmen in Osogbo.
The statement said ,”We are privileged to receive an esteemed invitation from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, marking a crucial milestone, stemming from a high-level meeting convened on the 31st of July, 2023, in Abuja.
“Distinguished representatives from both the Ministry and our esteemed institution were present, resulting in the formation of a collaborative Strategic Committee comprising three members from each entity.
“This committee has been entrusted with the pivotal task of executing this commendable and long-awaited initiative.”
“The Ministry’s initiation of this dialogue was propelled by a dual purpose – to extend accolades to UNIOSUN for its groundbreaking achievement as the first Nigerian university to secure the UNESCO-IFCD grant for Cultural Diversity, bestowed upon Professor Olukoya Ogen, an illustrious historian within our academic community.
“Recognizing the grant as a national triumph, the Ministry sought avenues of prospective partnership with our university, with a commitment extending beyond the project’s implementation phase.
Moreover, the Ministry has proactively proposed broadening the geographical scope of the ongoing UNESCO-IFCD-UNIOSUN Project to encompass all six geopolitical zones, beyond its initial focus on the Southwest,” Adesoji elaborated.”
Adesoji affirmed that robust funding would be facilitated through collaborative efforts involving the Ministry and diverse stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
Furthermore, he emphasized the Ministry’s pledge to explore synergies between the ongoing initiative and the First Lady’s transformative venture, centered on the empowerment and entrepreneurship of youth and women.
He stated that the resolute partnership between UNIOSUN, the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and UNESCO signifies a landmark stride towards the safeguarding of Nigeria’s intangible cultural heritage, fostering unity, pride, and enduring legacy.
