Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, stated that Ile-Ife continues to be the hub and center that Yoruba both at home and abroad cannot disregard.
Ooni disclosed this on Saturday, October 14, during the international conference on Ile-Ife and Yoruba civilization, with the theme: “The Nexus between Tradition and Modernity”.
“Without real history, Africans will continue to depend on foreigners to tell our stories,” he added.
The Ooni then urged everyone of Yoruba descent to make sure they helped historians carry out in-depth research on Ife history in order to put appropriate safeguards in place.
Also, Prof Siyan Oyeweso, the Executive Director, Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, thanked those present at the programme to present the history of their families.
“What these ‘compounds’ have done will be useful in the nearest future,” he said.
Oyeweso praised the historical figures who have written on the history of Ile-Ife, including Pa Eni Fasogbon and Pa Micheal Fabunmi, Prof. Isaac Akinjogbin, Prof. Isola Olomola, Prof. Abiodun Adediran, and Prof. Toyin Falola and others.
Oyeweso requested the Ooni’s assistance in a bid to compile and record Yoruba history during the 2023 International Conference.
He also counseled Prof. Simeon Bamire, Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), on the creation of an Archeology Department so as to advance study on the formative years of Ife history.
