Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) has said that Yorubas are more than 500million in the world.
He made this known while receiving Oba Adefunmi Egunjobi Oloyotunji of Oyotunji, Sheldon South Carolina in his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
“Yorubas constitute over 500 million people in the world. Majority of this population migrated from Nigeria to other part of the world like Caribbean Island, North America, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad &Tobago, Mauritania, Ivory-Coast, Ghana among others especially during the Atlantic slave trade, but yet they still find their root with identification as Yoruba Lineage.”
He stressed further that Yoruba people are distinctive people whom are bound together by a common language with different dialect, they also share rich culture, traditions and value extensively and globally Yoruba religion and tradition was practiced which has brought Oba Oloyotunji back to his root and ancestral home.
He showered his royal blessing on Oba Adefunmi who has all his entourage and all in attendance.
Oba Adefunmi Egunjobi Adejuyigbe II, Oloyotunji of Oyotunji thanked Ooni and the people of Ile-Ife for the warm reception given to him and his entourage on royal home coming visit to African ancestral home.
“I’m so delighted coming to my ancestral home and the source Ile Ife, to seek royal blessing from ancestor and also to promote bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Carolina, US in the areas of trade and commerce, education, tourism, arts, culture and agriculture.
While speaking on the Oyotunji Cultural Fiesta 2017, he said the cultural fiesta has been endorsed and accepted by Ooni of Ife and that he will be the Royal Father of the day On July -August 2017.
Also speaking Barrister Rotimi Vaugh said the Home coming of Oba Adefunmi Adejuyigbe Oloyotunji of Oyotunji African Village has historic-cultural event for the development of strategic promotions, royal blessing, cultural exchanges, relations and ties between Ile-Ife (The Source) and Oyotunji African Village, Sheldon, USA.
“As a direct descendant of Ex-slaves, history has revealed that slaves left the land with cries, bitterness, humiliation and suffering, but we have come to Ile-Ife to appease to gods/ancestors and to seek royal blessing on our project “BACK TO MY ROOT NIGERIA” and assuring that there will be great radical transformation and prosperity in Oyotunji African Village and the entire Yoruba nation.”
“The project is a new dawn for the region especially in the areas of tourism, arts & culture, trade and commerce, agriculture, education, youth and social development, academic institutions alliances, advancing humanity, while combating modern slavery. The opportunity has come about as a result of the family ancestral link and bond between Sheldon South Carolina USA and Nigeria.”
He also presented the blueprint of BACK TO MY ROOT NIGERIA Project titled “-OYOTUNJI DIASPORA HOME COMING INITIATIVE 2017″ for endorsement and also emphasized
on the activities of NASO and Atlantic Bond Initiative (ATBONDI) which he initiated to promote African culture and heritage, tourism, education between Nigeria, Oyotunji village and the entire 23countries in North America.
Olaniyan Omo Oba Olasowo, a Prince in Oyotunji African Village praised Oonirisa in Yoruba dialect, enchanting and eulogising the Monarch with song he composed while a powerful cultural display was performed by different cultural groups and Ife traditional drummers.
In attendance: Chief Oluwambe Amodu,(Aare Apo of Oyotunji SC), Chief (Mrs)Oyefunke Ogunfuye, High Priest Ifabukumi Adewale, Ifabunmi Adefunmi, Yeye Osun amongst others dignitaries.