The Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, on Thursday, August 25, 2022, held the 2022 Osun Osogbo Annual Commemoration Programme tagged: Osun Osogbo across the Atlantic: Towards Preservation and Sustainability of Nigeria's Intangible Cultural Heritage. The event was held at the Ulli Beier Hall of the Centre.

The event that was in a hybrid format drew participants from stakeholders in the art and cultural sector, the traditional institution, academia, as well as members of the Osogbo community and its environs, who unanimously called on stakeholders to rescue the Osun Osogbo Sacred River from desecration that has become its lot in the past few years.

In his keynote address, the Executive Director, CBCIU, Professor Siyan Oyeweso, lamented the pitiable condition of the river exacerbated by indiscriminate water pollution and other reckless acts. According to him, 'pollution and desecration of the Osun River constitute an act of aggression against one of the most important Yoruba and African heritage.

The Osun Sacred River holds a place of immense significance in Yoruba cosmology and cultural belief system. The river is believed to embody the sacred Osun goddess, the Yoruba goddess of fertility, purity, and healing. This river goddess has legion of adherents who channel their supplications to her for various forms of healing. The water itself, is believed to possess healing power from various forms of problems and afflictions, hence it is being dubbed as 'agbo'; meaning herbal drink.

In addition, the Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove, which houses the shrine of the river goddess, is one of the only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nigeria. This is a place of abundant tourism potentials and a honeypot for economic rejuvenation for Nigeria if properly annexed.

I, therefore, on behalf of the Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees of this Centre, call on the government of Osun State, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ataoja in Council and other stakeholders in Art, Culture and Tourism, to implement enabling policies for the protection of the Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove, Osun River and other river bodies and tourism destinations within the state from desecration.

The event witnessed paper presentation by great academics, such as Professor Aderemi Ajala and Dr. Monsur Muritala, from University of Ibadan, Professor Felix Ayo-Omidire, Professor David Ogungbile, Dr. Bukola Omigbule, and Dr. Amusa Saheed Balogun, from Obafemi Awolowo University.

Also, papers were presented by many foreign experts on culture, including Mrs Robin Campbell; the Chairperson, Adunni Olorisa Trustfund, Ms Lena Naumann from Iwalewa Haus, University of Bayreuth; Chief Ellias Garcia, the Baba Olosun of Brazil; as well as Nigerian Cultural experts and Osun devotees, such as Yeye Osun, Priestess Osunwende Funke Omodara, Priestess Adedoyin Faniyi, and Priestess Oyelola Elebuibon.