The paramount traditional ruler of the ancient town of Ile-Ife in
Western Nigeria, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi says the historic Ark of
Noah and the Tower of Babel as well as many mystical signs, primeval
artefacts and ancient relics are abound in the town.
The Ooni of Ife stated this as he officially declared and proclaimed
the historic town as a Tourism Zone for the entire world on Saturday.
The monarch noted that the historical asset by Ile-Ife was enough to
empower Nigeria and Africa at large, beckoned on all tourist lovers
across the world to trill themselves with old artefacts available in
Ife.
"The Ark of Noah which the entire world has been searching for is in
Ile-Ife. The Ark of Noah has been in existence and it is in Ife land.”
While expressing dissatisfaction over the neglect of culture, the
monarch noted that African endowments and culture are gradually being
threatened with extinction and called on Africans to come together to
salvage their heritage.
Research Findings
The Ooni said both anthropology and archaeological findings attest to
the origin of mankind from Africa, saying there are more than enough
evidence to show that the actual origin of creation is Ile Ife.
“The world is gravitating towards the African culture but we
(Africans) the custodian of culture do not value it,
"The bottom line is that everything started in Africa and it has been
established by researches and historian. Wherever in Africa the origin
of man started, it's our general asset. We have to take the continent
out of the poverty that we are.
“The positive spirit of the creation is behind the successes of sons
and daughters of Yoruba across the globe. Yoruba settlements are found
in all the regions of Africa, North and South America, Europe and
United States of America, Australia and many other parts of the world.
“Yorubas are about the half of the population of Trinidad and Tobago,
Jamaica, Haiti, Brazil and many other nations.”
The Ooni urged the African-Americans to visit Ile Ife to discover
their root just as he called on the entire world to explore the
tourism potentials of the ancient town.
Land of Mysteries
Oba Ogunwusi maintained that the entire land of Ife is full of mystery.
"We want to bring out the mysteries for the whole world to see. God
thrives on mystery and every inch of Ile Ife- the land of expansion-
is full of mystery. God has blessed us with some mysteries and we need
to bless the world with those mysteries.
"For instance, there was a barren twin in Ife who turned herself into
a river in order to bless the town. It remains the first wife of any
monarch in this town. If you dare the water and fall into it
deliberately, as small as it is, you will never return. But if you
fall into it by mistake, it will protect you and drop you at the
nearest bank of a river where your relatives can see you.
"This river is Yeyemoolu, there is nothing you ask from her that
Yeyemoolu will not give you. This is another tourist attraction, a
mystery river that the world can explore.”
Speaking at the event, the Osolo of Isolo, Akure, Regent Adebusola
Abisoye Oluwatuyi applauded the move by the Ooni, describing it as one
that will not only unite the black race culturally but draw the entire
members of the universe to their origin.
Regent Oluwatuyi noted that the event was capable of making Ile-Ife a
tourist destination and a befitting spiritual home of all the Yorubas
and the world at large.
Challenging Lagos
The Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Department Corporation,
Mrs Sally Nwechue Mbanefo remarked that much of the tourism potential
of Ile Ife has remained untapped.
She said Ile-Ife has the tendency to challenge Lagos as the capital
of tourism in Nigeria, stressing that the making the town a global
Tourist Zone will be of advantage and assist in building an edifice
for Yoruba mythical legend, Moremi.
Mbanefo cited Moremi, a great heroine that should not be forgotten so soon.
“Much reverence has not been given to Moremi as it has been given to
Queen Aminah, another great woman from Northern Nigeria.
"Ile-Ife has a lot and rich in culture. Ile-Ife is in South-West and
South-West is a friendly region for tourism. Ile-Ife has done a lot
but it still has much deeper than what it has been offering.
The Director General posited that with the era of dwindling economic
fortunes, if fully explored, the tourism potentials of Ile-Ife as the
origin of mankind will enhance the economic fortunes of Nigeria and
her citizens.
“Tourists from within Nigeria and abroad will not only do businesses
in Nigeria, they will also spend part of the money made within the
locality,” she said.
She however advised government at all levels to ensure history is
taught as a subject in schools.
http://dailytimes.com.ng/ooni-vows-to-unite-africa-through-tourism/
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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