The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi , has said the founding father of Yoruba, Oduduwa was not an Igbo prince as claimed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Oluwo described the claim as false and misleading , calling for Igbo to research on the adventure of their own Odudunwa .
Ohanaeze Ndigbo in a statement , in reaction to the claim by the Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, that Igbo people originated from Ile -Ife , had claimed that Odudunwa ( last -born ) , later called Oduduwa was an Igbo prince who occupied Ile – Ife but the Yoruba regarded him as a god because he was very powerful and had magical powers .
But statement by the Oluwo ’ s press secretary , Alli Ibraheem , reads , “ The Yoruba nation was founded by Oduduwa . He brought the first civilisation , 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 . ”
The monarch added, “ 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 ”
According to him, the fact that Odudunwa means last – born in the Igbo language does not make anyone bearing a similar name Igbo – born .
Oba Akanbi , however, pleaded with Nigerians to focus on unity .
He vowed to protect the rich heritage of Oduduwa .
Copyright PUNCH .
