Atelewo Podcast has unveiled a new chapter with the release of Episode 4, marking the debut of Rtn. Amb. Ariyike Elegbede as host of the cultural programme.
Elegbede takes over hosting duties from the former host and executive producer, Rtn. Victor Ojelabi, signalling a refreshed direction for the podcast while retaining its core focus on Yoruba heritage and identity.
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The latest episode features Ogbeni Adelani Olamide Ayeola, Oluwo Ogboni Abalaye, as guest, with a thought-provoking discussion themed “Ìtàn, Ìṣe àti Ọjọ́ọla: Preserving Yoruba Culture in a Fast-Changing World”, translated as “History, Practice and the Future of Yoruba Identity”.
During the episode, the conversation centres on the most pressing challenges confronting Yoruba culture in the modern era.
Ogbeni Ayeola reflects on the growing disconnect between younger generations and their cultural roots, identifying globalisation, language loss and cultural neglect as major threats to Yoruba traditions.
The discussion also explores whether Yoruba culture can adapt to contemporary realities without losing its essence.
According to the guest, modernisation is not the enemy of tradition, provided cultural values, history and indigenous knowledge systems remain central and are consciously passed on.
A significant part of the episode addresses concerns that many young Yoruba people no longer understand the meanings of their names or the histories of their families.
The speakers link this trend to weakened intergenerational communication and reduced emphasis on cultural education, while calling for renewed storytelling within families and communities.
Traditional practices such as oríkì, oral narratives, lineage histories and elder mentorship are also examined.
Rather than viewing them as extinct, the episode suggests that these traditions are evolving and can find new life through documentation, digital platforms and intentional cultural engagement.
The role of government, educational institutions and online content creators in preserving Yoruba culture features prominently in the conversation.
The episode calls for structured cultural education in schools, supportive public policies and responsible digital storytelling to ensure cultural continuity.
In a closing message to Yoruba youth, Ogbeni Ayeola emphasises the importance of embracing identity with pride, understanding one’s roots and recognising culture as a source of strength rather than limitation.
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Episode 4 of Atelewo Podcast reinforces the programme’s mission to spark meaningful dialogue around Yoruba identity, heritage and the responsibility of preserving culture in a rapidly changing world, while introducing listeners to a new hosting voice committed to that vision.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
