Yoruba Wikipedia Fan Club Offa Launches Offa Digital Heritage Documentation Initiative With QR Code Frames

Profiles Olofa, Chief Olawoyin, Chief Adesoye, Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi, Hon. Omituntun, Moremi Ajasoro On Wikipedia

Offa LG Legislative Council Promises To Make It Law For Proper Cultural Preservation, Commends Founder, Prince Salako Lukman

The Speaker of the Offa Local Government Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Mustapha Olawale Sharafa (Sharon), has adopted and domesticated the Yoruba Wikipedia Fan Club Offa Digital Heritage Initiative, describing it as a commendable effort aimed at preserving the cultural heritage and history of Offa for future generations.

The event, which took place on Friday, June 13, 2026, at Hengee Resort, Offa, brought together stakeholders, trainees and advocates of digital knowledge preservation.

Speaking during the programme, the founder of Yoruba Wikipedia Fan Club Offa, Prince Salako Lukman Olamilekan explained the vision behind the initiative and its importance to the preservation of indigenous knowledge.

According to him, “the project is designed to preserve local history and culture, increase the global visibility of Offa, provide future generations with access to valuable heritage materials and promote open knowledge through Wikimedia platforms.”

Salako noted that although the initiative started in Offa, it has the potential to spread across Kwara State and eventually become a nationally recognised project.

He highlighted some of the achievements recorded so far, including the establishment of the Yoruba Wikipedia Fan Club Offa, the training of over 160 editors with 48 active contributors retained, and the documentation of several Offa-related topics such as festivals, notable personalities and institutions. He added that contributors have also expanded their efforts to support Yoruba language development and African knowledge representation on Wikimedia platforms.

In his remarks, Rt. Hon. Sharafa praised the initiative for its focus on cultural preservation and pledged the support of the legislative arm of the local government.

“I love the aspect of preserving our cultural heritage and creating a platform through which our culture can be showcased to the world,” the Speaker said.

He further encouraged the promoters of the initiative to present a bill to the legislative council for consideration, assuring them of the council’s willingness to provide the necessary legal backing for its activities.

“I will urge you to bring it as a bill to our chamber so that we can work on it and give it a solid legal foundation. I assure you of our support as we work together to promote and preserve our heritage,” he added.

During the training session, Omokanye Yusuf Agbolahan took participants through the processes involved in contributing to the project and encouraged them to join the growing community committed to digitising and preserving Yoruba culture.

Speaking afterwards, Salako appreciated the Speaker for embracing the initiative and also commended the administration of Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun for its support towards programmes that promote education, culture and community development.

Certificates and incentives were later presented to participants who successfully completed the training.

As part of the initiative, profiles of notable Offa personalities and cultural subjects have been documented and made accessible through QR codes. They include:

HRM Oba Mufutau Muhammed Gbadamosi Okikiola Oloyede Ajagungbade I, Esuwoye II

Chief Josiah Olawoyin

Chief. Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye

Chief. Tajudeen Owoyemi

Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun

HE. Salaudeen Olatinwo

Professor Jamiu Mosobalaje Oyawoye

Kunle Adeyanju

Ijakadi Festival

Moremi Ajasoro