The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has publicly commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s growing emphasis on culture as a fundamental pillar of national identity, unity, and international diplomacy.
The royal endorsement came during a media conference organized by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation to announce the upcoming World Orisha Congress.
In a statement signed by NICO’s Media Assistant, Mr. Caleb Nor, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Tuesday, the Ooni – who serves as Global Patron of WOOCON – highlighted the administration’s cultural-friendly policies.
“We are grateful that this administration is giving rightful recognition to our culture. Culture is the soul of a people. Without it we have no identity,” the traditional ruler stated. He added, “President Tinubu’s leadership is not only helping to reposition our cultural values on the global stage, but also bringing us back to the very essence of our existence.”
The event also featured notable endorsements from other cultural luminaries. Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, a patron of WOOCON, praised the president’s support for cultural initiatives, describing it as “a step to greatness and global boost in tourism revenue and the relevance of nationalities.”
Soyinka emphasized that “culture defined people and nationalities, and intellectual and spiritual engagement were important in reviving the African culture.”
International perspectives were provided by Brazilian Consul in Lagos, Ambassador Manuel de Lacerda Santos, who underscored the enduring spiritual connections between Brazil and Nigeria through their shared Yoruba heritage.
This cultural bridge was further elaborated by NICO’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Abiodun Ajiboye, who revealed the congress’s ambitious economic potential. “WOOCON is not just a congress. It’s a movement to reclaim and redefine African cultural consciousness and identity,” Ajiboye stated, projecting that well-planned cultural tourism could generate over $10 billion annually for Nigeria within three years.
The scholarly perspective came from renowned Yoruba professor Wande Abimbola, who stressed the global significance of preserving the Orisha tradition.
NAN reported that WOOCON’s programming will continue in coming months, with Nigeria positioned as the focal point of this international cultural movement that also includes Caribbean nations, all united by their shared African heritage and spiritual traditions.