Soyinka visits Ooni, seeks monarch’s help for stronger ties with Africans in diaspora

By Editor

BLACK Africa’s first Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at his Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife. He was accompanied by a delegation of distinguished scholars and cultural advocates, who were warmly received with traditional songs, drums, and royal hospitality, a statement signed by the Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Otunba Moses Olafare, said.

During the visit, former Deputy Leader of Yoruba Nation Self-Determination Movement, Professor Wale Adeniran, extolled Soyinka’s unwavering commitment to African unity and diaspora engagement. He stressed the need to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland, particularly those of Yoruba descent in Brazil and other parts of the universe.

According to him, “The Africans in diaspora want to know their roots, their ancestry, and the cultural heritage that binds us together. And we find it very important to come to the custodian of that origin,the Ooni of Ife for his blessing and support.”

Prof. Adeniran further praised the Ooni for his continuing support for diaspora communities, especially Yoruba descendants in Brazil who trace their cultural identity directly to Ile-Ife.

Similarly, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, commended the Ooni for his humanitarian interventions across the world. He recalled how the Ooni rescued over 2,000 distressed Yoruba migrants from Libya by providing financial support, shelter, care, and empowerment opportunities upon their return to Nigeria.

He emphasized that the Ooni’s influence and benevolence extend across continents from Europe to North America where he has consistently supported Africans, especially the Yoruba, describing him as “a father to all and a defender of the vulnerable.”

In his remarks, Wole Soyinka highlighted the growing desire among Africans in the diaspora particularly Afro-Brazilians of Yoruba origin to reconnect with their history, ancestors, and cultural identity. He emphasized the importance of educating them on the historical realities of slavery and fostering unity that encourages their return to their ancestral home, Ile-Ife.

According to him, “If we do not take decisive steps now, it may take much longer to rebuild this bridge. When they come home, they can contribute to economic, cultural, and intellectual development. But above all, their deepest desire is to rediscover their origin.”

Responding, the Ooni lauded Professor Soyinka for his lifelong dedication to strengthening Yoruba cultural identity, unity, and global recognition. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for renaming the National Theatre in Lagos to Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, describing it as a well-deserved honour that celebrates Soyinka’s monumental contributions to literature, human rights, and Yoruba heritage.

The Ooni added, “We are always delighted to receive you in Ile-Ife. It is clear that this divine assignment aligns with your calling, and we will work together to strengthen the bond between our people and their descendants abroad. On behalf of the entire Yoruba race and the Ooni-in-Council, we express our profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for honouring an icon like you. You remain our pride.”

It will be recalled that last month at the Door of Return Fetsival in Badagry, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NiCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, alongside Prof. Soyinka, had received some African diaspora descendants and walked them along the Gberefu path to the sea where their grandparents had been forced to walk to board ships into slavery in parts of the world. Dabiri-Erewa had promised that President Bola Tinubu would personally be on hand next year to receive over 2,000 of such diaspora Africans who would arrive in Badagry after retraccing the reverse seaward journeys that took their parents away from the African shores centuries ago. She noted that Prof. Soyinka was the arrowhead, who would lead the charge for this historic trip of diaspora returnees back to the homeland. His visit to the Ooni is among the preparatory steps to this historic mission to bring Africa disapora back to the homeland.

To conclude the visit, the Ooni presented Professor Soyinka with some sacred Ife bronze artifacts as symbolic gifts in recognition of his lifelong work in promoting cultural unity and strengthening ties between Yoruba at home and abroad.

The Ooni (middle) presenting a bronze arrefact to Prof. Wole Soyinka while Prof. Wale Adeniran (right) looks on