By Japhet Alakam

THE Chief John Agboola Odeyemi Annual Lecture has progressively become a rallying point for people of like minds and a veritable platform for scholars to chart the way forward for the preservation of the natural and cultural wealth for the development of the country.

From left: Celebrant; Chief (DR.) John Agboola Odeyemi, representative of OAU VC; Prof. Omolayo Ajayi, Ooni of Ife; Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Guest lecturer and Minister of Solid Minerals; (DR) Kayode Fayemi at the event

The yearly intellectual feast initiated by Chief Odeyemi and organized by the Natural History Museum in recognition of the need to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the country and also in recognition of Odeyemi’s love for nature and culture as well as his immense contributions to national development as well as support for the institution.

The massive turnout and the caliber of dignitaries that graced the 3rd edition held at Conference Centre and Guest Houses, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State was a clear indication that the annual lecture is getting bigger, more entertaining and more encompassing.

This year’s topic,‘Harnessing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage for National Development”, was timely as it came at a time when the economy is in crisis as a result of the fall in oil price and the need to diversify the economy. And as it turned out to be, the various speakers harped on the imminent potentials in the country’s natural and cultural resources that had not been harnessed and called on the government and individuals to utilize the opportunity.

One other issue that took the center stage was the encomiums poured on the personality of the celebrant, Chief Odeyemi who clocked 77 years, for his numerous contributions to the development of the society and mankind, especially to the university and the Museum. It was indeed an honour well deserved.

Speaking on the theme: Harnessing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage for National Development,the guest speaker, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Mineral Development,who happens to be an alumni of the institution, said that Federal Government is set to hit another gold mine in the solid mineral sector, which has potentialities to fetch the nation about N5trillion annually, if adequately harnessed.

The former Ekiti governor, who offered an insight into what he believed would be Nigeria’s next frontier of opportunity, stated that the federal government would no longer renege in its bid to diversify the nation’s economy, saying his ministry was working assiduously to realize this objective and had sought the cooperation of all stakeholders in the sector to attain success.

Pointing out that the country’s dependence on crude oil had blinded and taught it a great lesson, Fayemi said it was imperative for Nigeria to stop paying lip service to the development of other sectors to enable it come out stronger and be on the path of sustainable development.

Fayemi,  took the audience down memory lane on how the country fared during the colonial period when it progressively carried out extensive geological surveys and had a good idea of the extent of its mineral reserves, noting that Nigeria currently has about 44 known mineral assets that are not fully harnessed.

Cultural legacy

According to him, “there is the need to build and craft a new narrative of Nigeria forged in our cultural legacy and financed by the smart use of our natural assets in a new competitive federal system”.

He expressed optimism that major stakeholders in the solid minerals sector, including the Association of Metal Exporters of Nigeria, had stated that the country could generate at least N5 trillion annually from mining and exporting of its vast solid mineral deposits. “This with several multiplier effects on job creation, state development and social infrastructure can position the solid minerals sector as the main catalyst for national development,” the minister posited.

Also speaking at the event, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, called for a cultural rebirth as the country had lost its moral values and heritage.

The Ooni, who described morals as the bed rock of development, urged all to go back to the source, even as he also enjoined those in positions of authority to lead by example, love one another and always remember to give hope to the led.

Adisa Ogunflakan, Director of Natural History Museum , OAU, who earlier welcomed all to the 3rd Chief (Dr.) John Agboola Odeyemi Annual Lecture that marks his 77th Birthday pointed out that the present situation in the country calls for sober reflection, hence the need for a way forward.

Presentation of awards

Pointing out that it was on this premise that  this edition and theme was chosen. He, however, enumerated some of the milestones achieved by the museum, even as he outlined some of the challenges and called on partners who will share the challenges with them. One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to Prof. Ademola O. Segun, Prof. Abiodun Adediran and Chief Joseph Olu Tariola for their service to humanity and also to the guest lecturer, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

On his part, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Alo noted that the country’s culture is rich but has been relgated to the background. “We have rich culture that can be harnessed like marriage ceremony, burials, dance etc but we are not utilising it, we need to do something about that”.