Omoge Asa: promoting, preserving Yoruba heritage

Omoge Asa:  promoting, preserving Yoruba heritage

By Ozolua Uhakheme

 

 

After last year’s successful hosting of its maiden edition, Omoge Asa cultural beauty pageant, a unique initiative aimed at promoting and preserving the cultural heritage, norms and values of Yoruba people will hold on April 10 at Lead City University, Ibadan.

The south-western institution culture queen fiesta, the brainchild of Prof Anjola Robbin under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts, Lead City University, is organised in collaboration with Academy Suites.  Omoge Asa is a celebration of the rich cultural traditions of the Yoruba nation. According to the convener of the event, Prof Robbin, ‘Omoge Asa is not just a cultural beauty pageant; it is a platform for young African women to showcase their talents, celebrate our cultural heritage, and project the future we envision, especially as many aspects of our culture are fast eroding.

“The Omoge Asa Cultural Beauty Pageant enables us to express ourselves through dance, spoken word, and the celebration of our traditional attire, highlighting what makes Africa unique. The pageant serves as an avenue for empowering young African women who are ready to step forward from various universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in the southwestern region of Nigeria.

She explained that ‘it is a collective effort to showcase our beliefs as a people while respecting our diverse cultures and origins. For us, it is a unifying strategy to bring everyone together in celebration of our cultural heritage.

‘Also there are rewarding prizes and opportunities for collaboration to be won by contestants in the Omoge Asa Cultural Beauty Pageant 2025.’

This year, Omoge Asa is in collaboration with Lead City University and Academy Suit as its main sponsor.

“Academy Suite will be donating the prizes for the winners of the Omoge Asa and they have put everything in place to host the boot-camp for the contestants with their welfare inclusive for the period for their stay.

“We are also working with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Lagos states. We are honoured to have Chief Mrs. Tamunomini Olufunke Makinde, the First Lady of Oyo State, as our distinguished guest, along with the Commissioners for Culture and Tourism in Southwest states.

“If you are a talented young undergraduate in any institution in southwest—whether a university, polytechnic, or college of education—this is your opportunity to showcase your talent, gain empowerment, and network with others who share a passion for celebrating Africa's diverse culture.

“This is not just a cultural pageantry; it’s a movement. Whether you are sponsoring, contesting, participating, or simply an enthusiast of our culture, join us on this incredible journey at Lead City University, Faculty of Arts. Let’s make history together,” she added.

Director Center for Entrepreneurial Innovations at Lead City University Ibadan, Dr Esther Aderinto expressed excitement about the center's partnership with the Faculty of Arts for the 2025 edition of Omoge Asa Cultural Pageantry.

“This partnership aims to showcase the entrepreneurial skills and talents of our students in Africa through cultural arts. The event will cover a wide range of options, including Adire and Batik production, Aso Oke weaving, bead making, fashion design, shoe making, and other African crafts. Lead City University entrepreneurial initiatives stand to present viable economic opportunities which we give to our students to help them to bridge the gap between culture and innovation.

“The cultural pageantry will feature participants from all higher education institutions across the southwestern region of Nigeria.Join us as we celebrate this unique fusion of culture and innovation at Omoge Asa 2025 Cultural Pageantry.” Aderinto said.