27/07/2026
Appreciation to Our Esteemed Partners, Stakeholders, and Supporters on the Successful Celebration of the 1st Anniversary of Yoruba Wikipedia Fan Club Offa
The successful celebration of the 1st Anniversary of the Yoruba Wikipedia Fan Club Offa marks a defining milestone in our journey to preserve, document, and promote Yorùbá language, culture, history, and heritage through free knowledge platforms. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support, encouragement, and presence of our distinguished guests, partners, institutions, and community leaders.
We express our profound gratitude to the Traditional Institution of Offa, under the revered leadership of His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, Olofa of Offa, who graciously delegated a high-powered royal representation comprising Chief Bode Onawola (Chief Alagure of Offa), Chief Abdul Rasak Abdul Azeez (Chief Ajia), and Chief Abdulgafar Abdulrahaman (Chief Sakosi of Offa). Their presence reaffirmed the palace's commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Offa for future generations.
Our sincere appreciation also goes to the Executive Arm of Offa Local Government, led by Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government, whose support continues to inspire our community-driven initiatives. We are equally grateful to the Legislative Arm, under the leadership of Hon. Sarafadeen Olawale, Speaker of the Offa Local Government Legislative Council, for identifying with our vision of cultural preservation and digital heritage documentation.
The support of these three principal authorities—the Traditional Institution, the Executive, and the Legislature—demonstrates that the preservation of our heritage is a collective responsibility deserving of broad community investment. Their endorsement is a strong vote of confidence in our mission and should encourage other public institutions, private organisations, philanthropists, educational institutions, development partners, and community stakeholders to join us in advancing this important cause.
We are deeply grateful to Hon. Abdulwahab Femi Agbaje Whyte, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State and former Commissioner for Enterprise, Water Resources and Energy, for his continued encouragement and belief in youth-led innovation and cultural development.
Our appreciation also extends to Hon. Oladuntoye Pascal, Special Adviser on Sports, Offa Local Government; Hon. Oguniyi Seun Adato, Honourable representing Ojomu/Balogun State Constituency; Dr. Abiodun Oladipo; Hon. Segun Olawoyin, former Commissioner for Environment and Geography and former Chairman of Offa Local Government; Hon. Lukman Ganiyu Ola I; and Dr. Adetola Ariyike Salau, Special Adviser on Education to the Honourable Minister of Education, Federal Republic of Nigeria, for honouring our invitation and supporting our vision.
We sincerely appreciate Architect Fatai Olatinwo, Chief Executive Officer of Hengee Resort Hotel, for providing support and advice for this memorable celebration.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our educational partners, including Ègbè Àkómọ̀léde Yorùbá, the Department of Yorùbá, Arolu College of Education, its lecturers and students, Dr. (Mrs.) Lawal Farida, Principal of Offa Grammar School, Mr. Olatinwo, Junior Principal of Offa Grammar School, the National President of Ansar-Ud-Deen College Offa, ably represented by Mr. Busari Lukman Oyewale, the Offa Grammar School Old Students Association National Body, and the OGSOSA '11 Set Association, whose continued collaboration strengthens our educational and cultural outreach.
We are equally thankful to Mr. Abdulwahab Kalejaye, Chief Executive Officer of Kolatech Computer Institute; Hon Muideen Adebayo Ibrahim (CEO, Bamib Resources Limited), Diamond Social Club Offa; Salient Reporters; Yoruba Wikimedians User Group; and every volunteer, community member, and well-wisher who contributed to the success of this anniversary.
Beyond Nigeria, we are especially honoured by the goodwill and international solidarity extended by Prof. Celio Soares, an expert in Adaptive Scientific Intelligence from Brazil and Prof. Santhosh Notagar, Project Coordinator of Documenting Karnataka Folk Art, India. Their support demonstrates that cultural heritage preservation is a global responsibility and that international collaboration remains essential in protecting indigenous knowledge systems.
As we celebrate one year of impact, we reaffirm our commitment to developing innovative projects that leverage technology to preserve and document our cultural heritage. Our initiatives—including heritage documentation, QR code-enabled heritage interpretation, Wikimedia education, indigenous language preservation, oral history documentation, and digital cultural archiving—represent only the beginning of a much larger vision.
We therefore call upon governments at all levels, traditional institutions, educational institutions, civil society organisations, corporate organisations, philanthropists, researchers, media organisations, development partners, and members of our community to partner with us. Together, we can ensure that our language, history, monuments, traditions, and indigenous knowledge are preserved, documented, and made accessible for future generations.
The remarkable support we have received from the highest traditional authority in Offa, the Executive leadership of Offa Local Government, and the Legislative Council gives us confidence that this vision is both achievable and worthy of broader support. Their confidence in our work inspires us to continue serving as responsible custodians of our cultural heritage.
To everyone who attended, supported, partnered with us, sent goodwill messages, volunteered their time, or believed in our mission, we say thank you. Your encouragement has strengthened our resolve to continue building a future where Yorùbá language, culture, and heritage are preserved not only in memory but also in the digital spaces where future generations will discover them.
This anniversary is not the end of a journey—it is the beginning of an even greater movement.
Together, we preserve our heritage. Together, we document our history. Together, we build the future of free knowledge.
Best
Prince Salako Olamilekan Lukman
President, Yoruba Wikipedia Fans Club Offa
[email protected]
234 810 983 6218
26th July 2026
Yoruba Wikimedians User Group
Wikimedia User Group Nigeria
Wikimedia Foundation
Offa Descendant Union National
The Great City Of Offa
UNESCO
Motherland Reality Television
Oba Olayinka Ishola Jokotola II
BBC News Yoruba
Salientt Reporterss
