2nd July, 2011
The Governing Board of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, today named the centre’s multi-purpose Hall after the late Prof Ulli Beier.
The Board chairman who is ex-governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola announced the decision today at a programme to celebrate the life and times of Ulli Beier whose works formed the nucleus of the centre.
The centre is an independent non government organisation affiliated to UNESCO.
Prince Oyinlola, in his welcome address disclosed that the board of the centre noted the enormous contributions of Ulli Beier to the centre’s existence and development since it was founded and came to the conclusion that a benefiting edifice should be named after him within the centre.
The current name of the centre itself is registered with UNESCO and the Corporate Affairs Commission as an international non government organisation.
“It is important we acknowledge with particular appreciation the efforts of this great personality who helped in most significant terms to shape the image of our past and present as a society greatly blessed by the Creator. It is no mean achievement that Ulli Beier was able to gather all those treasures which today form the nucleus of the archives of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding.
“Let me say with great pleasure that this centre has within its relatively short period of existence contributed its quota to the growth of the tourism and culture sub-sector of the economy of this state. More importantly, it has provided the whole world opportunity to glimpse Nigeria’s very rich heritage through its involvement in the organisation of three international conferences held in Osogbo, with the solid backing of the administration I was privileged to head,” he added.
Ambassador Segun Olusola in his own tributes, reflections and reminiscences on Ulli Beier, declared that “there was nowhere Ulli Beier went that he did not plant hope” just as he commended Oyinlola for what he described as the solid structures erected at the Osogbo Centre.
At the programme were Prof. Niyi Osundare; Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya; Chief Segun Sofowote; Vice Chancellor, Wesley University of Science and Technology, Prof Tola Badejo; Chief Yemi Elebuibon; Chief Muraina Oyelami among several academic and culture icons across Yorubaland.
Prof Wole Soyinka who sent his words described Beier as a man who came, saw and conquered.Â
Onobrakpeya in his speech paid tributes to Beier as an artist and an inspiration to very many fine artists including himself.
Professor Niyi Osundare lamented the attitude of Yoruba people who throw their culture and tradition away.
“Beier will be happy today wherever he is but we must make him happier by ensuring that our tradition does not die,” Osundare said.
By Gbenro Adesina