By Charles Maduka
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for recognizing culture as a vital element of Nigeria’s national identity, unity, and global diplomacy.
The monarch’s commendation was conveyed in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos, signed by Caleb Nor, Media Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation.
Oba Ogunwusi, who serves as the Global Patron of the upcoming World Orisha Congress (WOOCON), praised President Tinubu during a media conference organized by NICO to herald the cultural event. He said the president was fostering a culturally-friendly atmosphere and acknowledging the role of traditional heritage and spiritual institutions.
“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. President Tinubu’s leadership is not only helping to reposition our cultural values on the global stage, but bring us back to the very essence of our existence,” he said.
Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, also commended the president for his support, noting that the initiative would boost tourism and elevate African cultural identity globally. Soyinka, a Patron of WOOCON, stressed the importance of intellectual and spiritual engagement in revitalizing African culture.
The Brazilian Consular in Lagos, Ambassador Manuel de Lacerda Santos, highlighted the spiritual and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil, especially their shared Yoruba heritage.
The Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr Abiodun Ajiboye, who is also Secretary of the WOOCON Board of Trustees, said the congress aims to position Nigeria as a global cultural destination. He added that with effective planning, Nigeria could earn over \$10 billion annually from cultural and spiritual tourism in the next three years.
“WOOCON is not just a congress. It’s a movement to reclaim and redefine African cultural consciousness and identity,” he said.
Ajiboye also noted that countries in the Caribbean were involved in the initiative, emphasizing the deep ancestral ties and ongoing cultural exchanges such as participation in festivals like the Osun Oshogbo and Sango Festivals.
Renowned Yoruba scholar, Professor Wande Abimbola, described the Orisha tradition as a global spiritual system that must be respected and preserved across continents.
The full programme of WOOCON is expected to continue over the coming months, with Nigeria playing a central role in the global cultural revival.
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