Mohammed Shosanya

The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR),has faulted the false statements made by one Erelu Lola Ayorinde on social media on slavery in the old Yoruba history.

The group cleared air in a statement issued and signed on Saturday by its solicitor, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN) & Co.

The group maintained that the wrong assertions of Ayorinde about Yoruba’s culture and tradition must be corrected, in order not to allow such to negatively influence the younger generations of the tribe.

“We are solicitors to the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), hereinafter referred to as ‘our client’ and on whose instruction we are issuing this press release.

“We are issuing this Press Release to address the grossly misleading, false and harmful statements made by Erelu Ayorinde on various social media platforms and interviews, her persistent assertions that the Yoruba race encouraged slavery are not only historically inaccurate and false but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes, causing harm to the reputation of the Yoruba people.

“Furthermore, she has consistently misrepresented her heritage, making false claims of connections to the Ooni of Ife, the revered monarch of Osun State and various Yoruba deities, including Sango and Ifa, her actions constitute a gross manipulation of history, culture and historical facts, with the potential to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.

“We urge the public to exercise extreme caution and critical thinking when reading her statements, as they are false, unfounded, misleading and do not reflect the values and traditions of the Yoruba people. We will not stand idle and watch while misinformation and deceits are spread by the said Erelu Ayorinde and we are committed to preserving the truth, cultural integrity and dignity of the Yoruba race,” the statement read.

Mohammed Shosanya

The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR),told Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrashed Akanbi, to desist from denigrating the traditional religion and Yoruba tradition and culture.

The group also implored the Osun state government,Yoruba Elders and all Yoruba Socio-Cultural organizations to also call the monarch to order.

President of ICIR, Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode made the call on Saturday,during the inauguration of the new executive committee of The Council at the World Ifa Temple, Oke-Itase, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

He noted that the monarch’s utterances have always caused religious discord and embarrassment for other traditional leaders who are custodians of Yoruba tradition and culture within the Yoruba kingdom and abroad.

“We implore the people who are fanning the ember of religious discord in our land to desist. We advise the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrashed Akanbi to refrain from using unprintable statements against the Yoruba tradition, culture and religion.

“We also call on the government, especially the government of Osun State,Yoruba socio-cultural organizations and Yoruba elders to call Oba Abdulrashed to order before his utterances cause problems.”

Fatunde also appeal for calm in the crisis that started in Iseyin between the Muslim and Christian community where a Pastor was alleged to have assaulted an Alfa over attempt to slaughter ram on Eid-Ile-Fitri (Ileya) day.

“For the sake of peace, we implore practitioners of all religions and traditions to live in harmony and focus on what unites us rather than what separates us
In view of this, we appeal to both parties, Muslims and Christians fighting in Iseyin to allow peace to reign,” he said.

Dr. Fakayode charged the new executive committee to see the opportunity to serve as a way to contribute their quota to world peace and human progress as the committee was formed at a time when the Yoruba land and its tradition, as well as religion are facing challenges.

He emphasized the need for the Ifa adherents to be true custodians of the Yoruba tradition, culture and religion.

Mohammed Shosanya

The President of the International Council for Ifa Religion, (ICIR), Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode,has emphasized the need for people to stop calling Yoruba language vernacular.

He declared this while delivering a lecture titled:“Yoruba Language and Culture, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” at the Palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, during the 2024 Annual Cultural Festival organized by Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba, Nigeria, Ekun Ife (Association of Teachers of Yoruba Language and Culture, Nigeria, Ife Zone).

He further stressed that the Yoruba language, having secured a vantage position among global languages because of the acceptance of Ifa religion across the world,will continue to grow and with time, supersede other languages.

He added:“It is high time we decolonised ourselves by stop seeing our Language as vernacular and start communicating with our children in Yoruba, our mother tongue. According to research, there is no doubt that students taught any subject with mother tongue perform better than students taught with foreign language.

“The issue of Yoruba Language and Religion can be compared to a Computer whose hardware cannot be functioning without the software. In the case of Yoruba culture, Language and other components are hardwares while Yoruba Religion is the software on which other components rely.

“Today, Yoruba Language is an International Language because, all the people who practice Yoruba Religion irrespective of color or race need to be versed in Ifa, the scripture which can only be rendered in Yoruba Language. As Arabic is the language of the holy Quran so is Yoruba the language of Ifá.

“Therefore, as spread of Islam throughout the world makes Arabic international so is Yoruba Religion makes Yoruba Language international. This is because, once one accepts a religion, one automatically accepts the culture of the source of the religion.

“It is pertinent for all Yorùbá to learn Ifa for it is the storehouse of Yoruba culture and tradition.

“I use this medium to call on all lovers of Yoruba Language to join hands in promoting Ìsẹ̀ṣe, the Yoruba Traditional Religion if truly they do not want Yorùbá language to go into extinction.

“The future of Yoruba Language and culture is promising because, it is witnessing renaissance. Yoruba religion is said to be in the sixth position among the religions of the world today. It is certain that as Yoruba Religion continues to grow, so will the language and culture continue”.

He implored the governors of Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos States to immediately commence process of changing the language of all textbooks used in primary and secondary schools to Yoruba, in order to enhance good performance and aid the value of the language among speakers

“The time has come for the five South-West governors to start an immediate process of changing the language of textbooks use to teach subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and the rest to aid the relevance of the language and most importantly, improve the academic performance of our students,” Fakayode added.

In her opening speech, the Ife Branch Zone chairman of Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba, Erelu Olubunmi Ajayi said the cultural day gives secondary and primary school students opportunity to show and develop their talents as well as promote culture and tradition of the Yoruba.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union has announced the donation of medical supplies to the Iga Idungaran Community Health Centre to mark the 80th birthday of Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos.

In a press statement signed by its Chairman, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, the union said the significant milestone is a testament to a lifetime of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to their beloved community.

Born on October 29, 1943, HRM Oba Akiolu is a distinguished alumnus of Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Surulere, and a graduate of law from the University of Lagos. With a remarkable 32-year career in the Nigeria Police Force, he ascended to the position of Assistant Inspector-General of Police in 1999. His glorious journey led him to be crowned as the 21st Oba of Lagos on May 24, 2003, succeeding the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, who reigned from 1965 to March 1, 2003.

The IDU said Oba Akiolu’s legacy is deeply interwoven with the history and identity of Lagos, saying his reign has been marked by wisdom, grace, and a profound dedication to the well-being of his subjects. The group insisted that under His Majesty’s leadership, Lagos has witnessed remarkable growth and development, and the city continues to thrive as a centre of commerce, culture, and tradition.

The group said Oba Akiolu is celebrated for his benevolence, candour, and bravery, stressing further that the monarch’s impact on the lives and well-being of the people of Lagos and Nigeria is profound.

IDU added that the retired Assistant Inspector General of Police should also be celebrated for his modernization efforts at the palace, which include the construction of a guest house, library, and health centre, adding that the Iga Idunganran Health Centre, funded entirely by the Oba, provides free healthcare services to the community.

“He has also been instrumental in securing employment opportunities for numerous Lagos indigenes within the Lagos State, Federal Government, and private organizations. Additionally, he has been at the forefront of the return of properties belonging to Lagos indigenes, including the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, from the Federal Government.

“Our revered monarch has been a resolute and effective leader, ensuring peace and harmony in his domain through timely and astute guidance to his subjects and governmental bodies. Oba Akiolu’s reign has witnessed the progress of his subjects in all aspects of human life, including the attainment of the highest offices in the nation.

“As the traditional custodian of our heritage, Oba Akiolu has been a source of inspiration and guidance to Isale Eko and the wider Lagos community. His commitment to preserving our cultural heritage while also promoting progress and modernization is a testament to his visionary leadership.

K’ade pe lori,

ki bata pe lese

Ki ase pe lenu

Omo obalufon,

Omo erin jogun ola,

Omo Oba ado kenme, bini arokun tayo,

Omo oba ologunkutere asa logun,

Orisha ni e be ,

e ma be kutere,

Orisha a gba obi,

kutere a gba odindin ori eni,

omo atupa idunganran,

Igba odun odun kan ni oooooo Olowo Eko Baba Fuad

We wish His Royal Majesty, many more years of purposeful leadership as the Oba of Lagos, filled with good health and tranquillity,” Kazeem was quoted in the press statement.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Olubadan of Ibadanland,Oba Olalekan Balogun,has assessed
the role of oracle (Ifa) as a tradition in the selection of kings in Yorubaland.

He said oracle remains the best option in picking who will occupy the throne in Yorubaland,adding that litigation remains the beauty of democracy in any chieftaincy tussle.

He spoke with newsmen in hi Alarere Palace ahead of his 81st birthday celebration.

He said:”It is a good development, as long as democracy is existing, litigation would continue to be a means that injustices can be addressed.

“Litigation is a process where you can express your emotions or ill-feelings about any issues in court of law and get justice over perceived injustice against you.Litigation remains a very good avenue to tackle any irregularities or injustice process in our society today.” Olubadan said.

The monarch,who prayed for the progress of the Ibadan land, Oyo State and Nigeria,predicted bigger Ibadan, adding that as long as history exists, Ibadan will continue to exist.

He said “I envisage very much bigger Ibadan, as much as history remains, Ibadan will continue to exist , I envisage a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Ibadan, Ibadan is a work in progress, so I want our people to be expecting more good things.

“God has been so wonderful to me, what else should I ask for?, I have built houses, God has done uncountable blessings for me and He’s still doing it because I’m still alive, there is nothing I asked for that he has not done for me, so I’m so grateful to him for going this far.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll, on Sunday kick started this year’s annual Olojo Festival celebrations by embarking on a 7-day spiritual seclusion.

While in isolation,the foremost monarch will seek the face of Almighty God(Olodumare) and ancestors of the land for the recovery of Nigeria’s economy and unity of the African people for prosperity.

He spoke to the press before being escorted on a procession to the ‘ILE MOLE’ ancient cult chamber located on Iremo road in Ile-Ife .

He lauded President Bola Tinubu over his sterling Pan-African speech recently during 78th UN General Assembly in the USA quoting him as saying “To the rest of the world, I say walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.”

He advocated the need for Africans worldwide to unite and be peaceful for the development and desired economic liberation. He urged relevant stakeholders in Africa to prioritize the unity of the African continent, saying pan Africanism is non-negotiable.

“President Bola Tinubu spoke very creditably well as a true Pan-African leader during the 78 edition of the UN General Assembly. I also respect Presidents Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto of Uganda and Kenya respectively for always consistently standing for Africa. I have met with them and we have always discussed Africa development.

“For the past 8 years that I been on the throne of Oduduwa, anytime I go into seclusion, there is nothing I ask the ancestors that doesn’t come into fulfillment. Therefore, I can rest assured that this time around, the actualization of Pan-Africanism will come to reality. “Ooni said.

Ooni,who lamented the suffering and hardship in Nigeria said there is a need for the ancestors to step in so that the administration of President Tinubu, will be the renewed hope in terms of friendly economic palliatives for the poor masses, good roads, uninterrupted power supply, affordable education, employment opportunities, and above all, actualization of the ideological oneness that all sundry in Africa have been hoping for.

He implored government at all levels to be more sensitive to the plight of the people, also urging all and sundry to support the president so as to move the nation forward for stable national security and economic advancement.

“I will pray for the unity of Africa. Things are very hard. We all know the economic challenges that people are facing.

“The issue of restiveness of our youths would not go beyond control, before this are sensitive issues that we need to address before it goes out of hand.

“My prayer also would be to pray for divine intervention for the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to turn things right because expectations of people are so high”, Ooni stated

Ooni,who doubles as Co-chairman, National Council Of Traditional Rulers Of Nigeria (NCTRN) praised President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil for his love for Africa saying the large turnout of the Afro-Brasilians and other diaspora Africans is an attestation that Olojo festival.is indeed a rallying point for connecting the Africans together.