The oracle of
the indigenous Yoruba religion, Ifa, has sent a special message to
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi
Ambode.
The Association of African Traditional
Religion of Nigeria (AATREN) revealed this message at its monthly
meeting. During the special prayer session held at its recent
gathering
in Lagos, the president of the organisation, Chief Ifasegun Elegushi
revealed that Buhari and Ambode has some sacrifices to make for a
peaceful tenure.
“After such consultations made through
one of the deities, Odus, Ifa Oturugbon, it was revealed that sacrifices
should be offered to the gods for a peaceful tenure of our President
Muhammadu Buhari and the governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode,”
Elegushi revealed. “Ifa further instructs us to make sacrifices for the
peace, progress and protection of the nation and for Lagos State in
particular.”
According to Elegushi, it was the normal
practice for the organisation to consult the Ifa oracle on behalf of
rulers in the country.
Elegushi called for government
recognition of its members lamenting that there was no government help
given to traditionalists despite the the group playing their role as
“law abiding residents to enable that peace and repose reign supreme
wherever they reside”.
“We believe as traditionalists to always
do our bit and ensure that peace reigns supreme in and around where we
reside. We have prayed as the oracle commanded, so that our leaders
succeed and their tenure peaceful. It is when they have peaceful
governance that we also can operate with ease”, he said.
According to Wikipedia, “Ifá is a religion and system of divination and refers to the verses of the literary corpus known as the Odu Ifá.
Orunmila is identified as the Grand Priest, as he is who revealed
divinity and prophecy to the world. Babalawo’s use either the divining
chain known as Opele, or the sacred palm or kola nuts called Ikin, on the wooden divination tray called Opon Ifá.”
Nigerian literary icon, Wole Soyinka has spoken
favourably about Ifa. It has also been implied that the late music
legend, Fela Kuti practiced the Ifa religion. Afro-beat singer, Bantu is
an Ifa worshipper.
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