Goldberg Lager has unveiled a monumental talking drum installation atop the iconic Cocoa House in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of its efforts to celebrate Yoruba heritage and cultural identity.
The unveiling, which took place recently, brought together cultural stakeholders, government representatives, entertainers, media personalities and consumers to celebrate the fusion of one of Yoruba culture’s most recognisable symbols with one of the region’s most historic landmarks.
Cocoa House, completed in 1965, is a 26-storey building that was financed from proceeds of the region’s cocoa trade. It was widely recognised as West Africa’s first skyscraper at the time of its completion and has remained a defining feature of the Ibadan skyline.
According to a statement shared with Sunday Scoop, as part of the installation, the drum “comes alive every hour with the rhythm of Omolúàbí”, followed by the chime of the hour, in a celebration of values associated with Yoruba culture, including character, respect, pride in one’s heritage and responsibility to society.
Speaking on the significance of the installation, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Abdulrahman Yinusa, described it as a new chapter in the history of Cocoa House. Related News VIDEO: Residents scoop fuel after tanker spills contents on Lagos-Ibadan expressway EFCC arraigns man over N56m pilgrimage fraud Over 500 Stakeholders Gather In Ibadan As Farmdev Consult Redefines African Agriculture
