MEET OUR TEAM
H.I.M, Alaafin Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, 5/04/2025- Till Date
THE LATE OBA OLAYIWOLA ADEYEMI III. THE ALAAFIN OF OYO (1938-2022)
The Alaafin of Oyo Empire, His imperial Majesty Oba (Dr.) Olayiwola Adeyemi III, reigned (1971-2022), he was the founder, the pillar, the inspiration and motivator on UNESCO preservation project of the Oyo Cultural Heritage.
Paula Gomes, Portuguese citizen, studied linguistics and history in the
University of Augsburg in Germany with 37 years experience on Yoruba
Heritage research.
Her research is focused on Yoruba Culture and Tradition since 1989 in
Nigeria. She has over three decades’ field experience and knowledge in the
heritage sector.
2011 She started community work on Sango Festival preservation
2012 Installation as Culture Ambassador by the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola
Adeyemi III, The Alaafin of Oyo
2012 Paula Gomes Cultural Foundation founded and launched by the late Oba
Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III , The Alaafin of Oyo
2012 She is a member of Board of Trustees of Cultural Association Asa Orisa,
founded by the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, The Alaafin of Oyo.
2013 she started with the restoration of the monuments.
2014 She was a committee member for International Seminar for Cultural
Heritage preservation between Brazil/Nigeria – Salvador Bahia, Brazil
2015 She was part of the Agreement to consolidate Oyo -Nigeria and Rio de
Janeiro – Brazil as Twin sisters
2016 She was part of a UNESCO six-month inventorying exercise in Oyo of a 3-
year Project on the “Support to the effective implementation of the 2003
2018 She was part the UNESCO Final Stakeholders meeting on the
implementation of the 2003 Convention on the Intangible Heritage in Nigeria
2018 She took part in the 12 Conference of the International Society for the
oral literatures of Africa (ISOLA) in Ibadan
2018 She took part in the International Conference at Ajayi crowder
University in Honour of HIM Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, The Alaafin of
Oyo
2019 She was part of the International Seminar in Harvard University /
Boston about Sacred Groves and sacred Parks Landscapes of Orisha Devotion
in Brazil and West Africa
2019 She was a committee member during the installation of Aare Ona
Kakanfo of Yoruba land
2020 She was part of the International Conference in Lagos State University
(LASU), the Center for Afro-Brazilin Studies (LASUCAS)
2020 She took part in the AGREEMENT FOR ACADEMIC, CULTURAL AND
SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION BRAZIL & NIGERIA
2021 She integrated the installation committee for Aare OniKoyi of Yoruba
land
2021 She was involved in a UNESCO project on “Orisa Dida” knowon as
“Eerindilogun” ancient Divination System for the safeguarding of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage
2021 She She integrated the installation committee for The Akosin of Yoruba
land
2021 She integrated the installation committee for The Atobase of Yoruba
land
2021 She integrated the installation committee for The Ayedero of Yoruba
land
2021 She integrated the installation committee for The Mayegun of Yoruba
land
2022 She took part on the last Tribute to Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III (1938-
2022) in the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding,
Osogbo Osun State
2023 She took part of a Unesco Workshop on strengthening effective
safeguarding and updating of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Oyo
2023 She finalize a 13 years UNESCO project on Shango Festival Oyo for the
safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
2023 She integrated as a State Party in the UNESCO ICH-18 th session on the
Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural
Heritage in Kasane, Botswana during the inscription of Shango Festival Oyo on
UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
2024 She took part in the Heritage workshop funded by Spanish Embassy
Abuja
2025 She was member of New Alaafin Coronation Ceremony Committee.
2025 She was part of “Ibadan Travel & Tourism Expo “
2025 She was awarded by the Governor of Oyo State, Eng. Oluwaseyi Makinde
with Oyo Tourism Award for Best Cultural Experience Provider
2025 She was among the community to receive UNESCO CERTIFICATE FOR
SANGO FESTIVAL OYO
2025 She collaborated in Oyo Leather Craft Exhibition with Asa Heritage
Africa, Lagos
She is a member of International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
She is an active member in the Federal Nigerian Government National
Committee for Sango Festival and the Vice-chairman on the State Government
Committee level.
Marli Olubunmi Carolino, Director
Marli Olubunmi Carolino Owadokun, Born in Canoas, RS, Brazil, Graduated in
Languages from UFRGS.
Lived in Nigeria from 1983 to 2015.
Worked at the Brazilian Embassy (1983 – 1999)
Portuguese teacher for foreigners,
Accounting Sector assistant,
Secretary to ambassadors and chargés d’affaires,
Member of the student selection team for the PEC-G and PEC-PG agreements,
Director of the Embassy Cultural Center in Lagos,
Representative of Brazil at the First World Festival of Vodun Arts and
Cultures, better known as “Ouidah-92”.
Worked at the Portuguese Embassy (1999 – 2015)
Ambassadors’ secretary
Responsible for the Consular and Visa Sector
Afro, cultural, and religious tour guide for Nigeria (2017, 2019)
Mentor, consultant, and translator-interpreter for the Favela Tour Collective
(2024)
Cultural exchange of the Collective within the “Diaspora Returns” Project,
covering the states of Lagos, Oyo, and Ekiti in Nigeria
Project sponsored by Funarte and Sedac-RS. Collaborator Virtual Museum
Orik
