Ooni: Yorubas must learn their history, put it to good use

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has charged Yoruba sons and daughters to learn their history and put it to good use, saying God had put the Yoruba race in prime position to conquer the world in all fields of human endeavour.

The Ooni, who spoke in Efon Alaaye, headquarters of Efon Local Givernment Area of Ekiti State, on Saturday, at a book launch by the Obalufon Alayemoore, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare, also called on the Yoruba to acquire a good knowledge of their history and use it as a catalyst to take their pride of place in Nigeria, Africa and the entire universe.

At the launch of the book entitled: “Ooni Obalufon Alayemore: The Founder of Efon Alaaye Kingdom” held at the town’s Civic Centre, Oba Ogunwusi said: “The Yoruba is the head because God has put us in eminent position and when we take our right position, things will move in the right way.

“God has blessed us abundantly but we must know our history, we must know our source and our history should not be written for us by foreigners.

“The history of the Obalufon is not a small one; on my arrival in Efon today, there was no single filth or refuse in the town and this has a meaning if you don’t know. This town is not swept by commercial sweepers and it remains clean like this.

“Every good thing we enjoy today including civilization was made possible by the Obalufon and the white men learnt this from us. That Efon is neat today is not an accident, it has been like that since iwase (the beginning).

“You (Efon people) came from the compound of Iraye (in Ile-Ife) and he is still holding fort for you in Ile-Ife. The setting was made possible by the Obalufon and the whole world is enjoying it.

“The Obalufon started the bronze technology from Ile-Ife and it extended to Benin Kingdom, to far places like Greece, Egypt and Ethiopia but if we don’t know this history, it cannot motivate us in Yoruba land.”

The 1,420-page book chronicled the exploits and sacrifice of the Obalufon Alayemore, the third Ooni, who vacated the Ife throne for his brother, Oranyan, who returned from Oyo on the demise of his (Oranyan’s) brother.

The book was authored by Prince Adelegan Adegbola, while it was reviewed by Professor Biodun Adediran.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, who was represented on the occasion by his deputy, Professor Kolapo Olusola, said his administration had made History a compulsory as a subject to give the younger generation insight into the past and promote culture and tradition.

The chief launcher, Chief Wole Olanipekun explained that there is always a nexus between the past and present, history and culture urging the Yoruba to always have respect for their kings and culture.

The book launch was chaired by the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola while former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun, was the chief launcher.