Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, accompanied by a delegation of scholars, paid a courtesy visit to the Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at his Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife on Tuesday.
During the visit, according to a statement by Director, Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Otunba Moses Olafare, Professor Soyinka highlighted the urgent need to strengthen the bond between Africans at home and those in the diaspora, particularly Afro-Brazilians of Yoruba descent.
He specifically sought the monarch’s support and blessing to help these descendants reconnect with their ancestral history, culture, and homeland, stating, “If we do not take decisive steps now, it may take much longer to rebuild this bridge.”
During the visit, former Deputy Leader of the 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 continuous 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 emphasised 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 emphasised 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 Lagos National Theatre to the 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.”
To conclude the visit, the Ooni presented Professor Wole Soyinka with sacred Ife bronze artifacts symbolic gifts in recognition of his lifelong work in promoting cultural unity and strengthening ties between Yorubas at home and abroad.
