The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has commenced a “Back To Home” initiative of the House of Oduduwa in Sao Paulo, Brazil where he also met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to a statement by his Director of Media & Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the visit is in furtherance of the Arole Oduduwa’s structured agenda to reconnect persons of African origin to their root and bring socio-economic benefits to Nigeria and the entire Africa.
Olafare stated: “This is not the Ooni’s first visit to Brasil but the new twist is that the Federal Government in Brasil has acknowledged the Arole Oduduwa’s good works and that is why the President, His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be leading top government officials to receive our father.
“The Arole Oduduwa’s last visit to Brasil and several delegations to the country’s State functions and other sociocultural activities have yielded so many positive results including the approval of the prestigious Yoruba language as an official language in Brasil.
“It is a common knowledge that Brasil is home to over 80 million persons of African origin who left Africa particularly Yoruba land back home in Nigeria many years ago through slavery and other means. They left with our culture and tradition which is what dignify them in a country of many culture like Brasil.
“Over the years, the Ooni has been consistent about the “Back to Home” initiative with a view to opening the Nigerian market particularly tourism to the world through the South American country.”
The Ooni is accompanied on the trip by his Queens; Olori Aderonke-Ademiluyi Ogunwusi , Olori Mariam-Anako Ogunwusi, his brother who is also the Sooko Laekun of Ife, Prince Adegboyega Ogunwusi and some notable Yoruba Monarchs including the Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, the Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Afolabi, the Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Oba Adedapo Aderemi among others.
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