Oluwo adds voice to controversies over claims that Oduduwa was an Igbo prince

The claim that the Igbo people of South East Nigeria originated from Ile-Ife in Osun State has continued to stir controversies.

This came as the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has refuted the claim that the founding father of Yoruba, Oduduwa was an Igbo prince as claimed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Ohanaeze had stated that Oduduwa was originally known as Odudunwa, meaning last-born. The group claimed that he was an Igbo prince who occupied Ile-Ife.

According to Ohanaeze, when the Yoruba people arrived the area, they changed his name to Oduduwa because they regarded him as a god, seeing that he was very powerful and had magical powers.

Ohanaeze had made this explanation in response to an earlier claim by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi that Igbo people originated from Ile-Ife.

However, in his reaction to the argument, Oluwo said the claim was false and deceptive. He then urged Ohanaeze and the Igbo people to research on the adventure of their own Odudunwa.

In a statement through Alli Ibraheem, his press secretary, Oluwo said, “The Yoruba nation was founded by Oduduwa. He brought the first civilization which is the crown.

“Oduduwa demontrated an unequalled leadership. He was shrewd, peculiar, unparalleled, unmatched, quintessential and different. He served his people and became a rallying point for his services to humanity. He gave us the best tradition, so respectful and obedient. The Yoruba culture is rich, very beautiful and unblemished. It emanated from Oduduwa.

“History is rich, necessary and must always be objective because it is a foundation for the future. Worldwide, Yorubaland is the source of every natural crown. Our crowns are divinely ordained and sacred. It was brought by Oduduwa. And we owe him a duty to defend everything about him.”

READ ALSO: Ohanaeze counters Ooni, claims Igbo were original owners of Ile-Ife

He went further to argue that because Odudunwa appears to mean last-born in the Igbo language does not mean anyone bearing a similar name originated from Igbo.

Oluwo, nonetheless preached that Nigerians should concentrate on what unites them as one as he assured he will always protect the rich heritage of Oduduwa.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now