By Adeola Badru

An Ibadan indigene, Adekunle Ishola, has called for deeper diaspora involvement and greater youth inclusion in the cultural and developmental agenda of Ibadanland following the successful hosting of the Ibadan Cultural Festival by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).

In a goodwill message, Ishola, a member of the Ibadan Progressive Association of Australia (IPAA), a diaspora affiliate of CCII, congratulated the council on what he described as a well-organised and unifying cultural festival.

He said the festival has evolved beyond celebration into a platform for unity, identity reinforcement, and global connection among Ibadan sons and daughters.

Ishola commended CCII for its efforts in preserving Ibadan heritage but urged stakeholders to take further steps to convert cultural strength into tangible developmental gains.

He called for structured diaspora investment, youth empowerment programmes, and sustainable cultural tourism initiatives that could create economic opportunities for residents.

He also stressed the importance of youth participation in cultural preservation and leadership, saying the future of Ibadan’s heritage depends on how well young people are integrated into decision-making and innovation within cultural institutions.

The Ibadan North-West born politician, and son of former CCII Secretary, Chief Gbade Ishola, said his advocacy is rooted in both heritage and diaspora engagement.

He added that Ibadan’s progress must be pursued collectively, with the diaspora playing a more organised and impactful role.

While commending the organisers for the successful festival, Ishola reaffirmed his commitment to initiatives that promote cultural preservation, diaspora collaboration, and inclusive development across Ibadanland.