Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo made a daring comment on Sunday, January 26, claiming that anyone who rejects the significance of Ifa Orunmila “must be a bloody fool.”
The former president voiced his opinions at a celebration for the 50th birthday of famous female talking drummer Olamuyiwa Aralola, also known as Ara, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The event was held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library’s (OOPL) Green Legacy Hotel and Resort.
Obasanjo stressed the value of conserving African cultural legacy, especially Yoruba customs, which he said predate the advent of Islam and Christianity.
“Culture is the totality of who we are. Unfortunately, we have relegated some aspects of our culture to the background—our food, our language, our dress, and so on.
“They even say Yoruba is vernacular. That is not right. Yoruba is Yoruba; it is authentic, and we must learn to celebrate what belongs to us because that’s the authentic.
“I am a Christian. I have been to two churches today, but whoever says Ifa Orunmila is nothing must be a bloody fool. I will say that person is a big fool because Orunmila has been with us before the advent of Christianity or Islam. Ifa Orunmila means Olorun lo mo eni to ma la, it is Heaven that knows who will be saved, he said.
In addition, Obasanjo commended Ara, referring to her as a cultural ambassador and praising her for shattering stereotypes in an area that has historically been dominated by men.
“For whatever reason, we must preserve our culture. Ara is a woman of culture; she is our cultural ambassador. She has lifted our culture and broken the taboo surrounding what was once believed to be exclusively for the male gender. She has not only excelled in this but is also nurturing young ones to preserve her legacy.
“When I was growing up, there were two things you would never imagine a woman doing: climbing a palm tree and playing the talking drum. Ara has broken the taboo, and she has done it very well.”
The former president also encouraged youth to follow Ara’s example of excellence., saying, “Whatever good your hands find to do, do it well, and I will celebrate you. The lesson here is that nothing is unimportant in any area of human endeavor.”