The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II),
has urged world leaders to invest in humanity through researches and
documentation of historical facts rather than spending funds on nuclear weapons.
The Ooni, who is the co-chairman of National
Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), made the call at his Palace
in Ile-Ife while playing host to a team of researchers led by the French
Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jerome Pasquier.
The foremost African monarch, who decried the huge
amount of resources invested in the procurement of war weapons which he
described as items of destruction, posited that the world would be a better
place for all if such is spent to advance nature through archeological and
historical researches that can establish the links connecting various nations
in the world as one family.
According to him, “We are one people regardless of
our cultural, racial, religious and social beliefs, and the earlier we recognise
this fact, the better for us. Let us use our God-given resources and potential
to document our history and research on archeology linking all of us together
as one family even though we are separated by artificial national boundaries.
These archeological items are useful for the unborn generations, rather than
destroying ourselves with our own resources.”
On the visit of the French ambassador and other
researchers to the ancient city, Ogunwusi revealed that there is a strong
cultural relationship between France and Nigeria, especially on the basis of
kingship. He commended the visiting ambassador and his team for their
commitment to the promotion of the ‘prestigious’ African culture.
The Ile-Ife monarch said: “Just recently, the French
President, Mr. Emanuel Macron, visited Nigeria during which he stopped at some
notable heritage sites, including the famous musical shrine originated by the
late Afro legend, our own Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
“I have always said we are of one family source;
the Europeans too are now corroborating me.
The French Government has been wonderful, especially in ensuring that
all our artifacts are returned to us in this part of Africa, and they are working
with us on this here in Ile-Ife, as they are also working with the Benin
kingdom. Of course, you all know the strong relationship between the Benin kingdom
and the Yoruba people as direct descendants of Oduduwa, who pioneered kingship
in the world with this sacred throne I now occupy as the Arole Oodua and the natural
head of the Yoruba race worldwide.”
Earlier in his address, the Ambassador, Pasquier, who
was flanked by the French Consular General, Mrs. Lawrence Nonnayrant, and other
personalities admitted that the Ile-Ife kingdom occupies a huge place in
history, adding that such historical relevance could be a source of economic
gain if maximised.
“We in the Europe, especially the French, love this
king, and we follow his unity and peace efforts.
“It is good to embrace civilization, but it is more
important to keep the traditional culture intact, and I am very happy to see
that culture and tradition are well kept in this kingdom of Ife which is the
ancestral home of the great Yoruba nation despite its current civilized state,”
the ambassador said.
One of the researchers from the United States told
journalists that he was in the town to join his colleagues from Europe and
America who have been working on different archeological sites in Ile-Ife to
corroborate the historical facts pointing to the Yoruba race with Ile-Ife being
its spiritual headquarters as the cradle of mankind.
According to him, "There are facts pointing to
this town as the source of humanity, and it is through this archeological
efforts that these facts can be corroborated. Several of our colleagues have
been working here in Ile-Ife for the past four years, and a lot of positive
mysteries of archeology have been discovered; that is why my university has
sent me to come and join the work."
Also at the event, an African cultural festivals
researcher from Zulu in South African, Dr. Nokuthula Khumalo, who is in Ile-Ife
to witness this year's forthcoming Olojo festival, admitted that Yoruba race is
the possible oldest race in the world, saying the historical facts available to
her confirm Ile-Ife as the cradle of mankind.
She said: "Three years ago, precisely 2016, I
was at the Lambeth Palace of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England when the
present Ooni of Ife and other Nigerian kings visited Archbishop Justin Welby,
who told the visiting Ooni and his large entourage that the world actually
originated from Africa.
“Highly fascinated by this, I thereafter engaged
with some international archeologists and historians in Europe, America and
Africa, most of whom confirmed to me that the world started from a native tribe
in the tropical part of Africa with emphasis on Yoruba race in West Africa. I
went to the palace of the king of Accra in Ghana last year from where I was
directed to Ile-Ife in Nigeria. What I have seen here in the last one week is
so amazing and incredible. Africa must unite."
Recently, the Ooni of Ife in conjunction with the
Brazilian Government unveiled the Oduduwa Mobile Museum for the purpose of
showcasing the African arts and culture to the world.
The first-of-its-kind mobile museum which already
has a building in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, donated by the Brazilian Government, is
also being planned to be unveiled in Paris, France, next year in conjunction
with the French embassy in Nigeria.
The Director, Natural History Museum of the Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Adisa Ogunfolakan, led the French
ambassador and the international researchers to the Ooni's palace while
student-historians from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Jos,
University of Ibadan and representatives of the National Museum were also in
attendance at the event.
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