The Ooni of Ife and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has called on Yoruba descendants across Africa and in the diaspora to embrace unity, peace, and cultural pride to foster development and strengthen their ancestral ties.
This was contained in a statement signed by Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni’s spokesman, during the 2025 Ghana Isokan Festival held at PWD Grounds, opposite the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) office in Accra, Ghana.
It reads: “The Ooni sends his heartfelt greetings to all Yoruba people residing in Ghana and across Africa. His Majesty remains deeply committed to promoting unity, love, and cooperation among all Oduduwa descendants, irrespective of geographical boundaries.
“The Ooni believes that our progress as Africans depends on our ability to rediscover who we are, uphold our shared heritage, and stand together as one people.
“His mission is to reconnect Africans with their ancestral roots and restore pride in their cultural identity, which remains a key pathway to achieving sustainable peace and development across the continent.
“The Ooni expresses his joy over the annual celebration which symbolizes the enduring bond among Yoruba descendants in the diaspora.”
Represented by his spokesman, Otunba Olafare, the foremost African monarch reaffirmed his dedication to promoting African unity through cultural revival, stressing that unity among the Yoruba people would enhance continental peace and economic stability.
Speaking at the same event, the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to Ghana, Ambassador Dayo Adeoye, praised the organisers for promoting unity and preserving Yoruba heritage through the annual festival. He described the celebration as a bridge for both cultural and diplomatic engagement among African communities.
He noted that the festival also serves as a tool for cultural diplomacy and a medium to deepen bilateral ties between African nations.
“Culture indeed is another form of diplomacy. Festivals like Isokan strengthen the fabric of Africa’s unity, encourage dialogue, and highlight the rich contributions of African traditions to the global community,” he added.
The diplomat lauded Oba Abdulrasheed Buraimoh, Leader of the Yoruba Community in Ghana, for his leadership in sustaining the annual event.
He also urged Nigerians in Ghana to remain law-abiding, promote harmony, and serve as worthy ambassadors of the nation.
“As we gather here today, let us carry forward the spirit of Isokan. Let us continue to support one another as a community, uphold the laws of our host country, and remain worthy ambassadors of Nigeria wherever we are,” he stated.
Also speaking, Ambassador Oyeyemi Fatuyi, Baale of Mataheko-Afienya and one of the festival coordinators, described unity as the foundation of societal progress. “Isokan is the reason we are here. It is the force that brings success and peace to our community. A society without Isokan will be filled with conflict,” he said.
The Iyalode of Ghana, Hajiatu Nuru Folashade, urged Yoruba youths to embrace discipline, moral values, and the Omoluabi ethos, warning against social vices such as drug abuse.
The colourful festival, themed “Isokan” (Unity), featured traditional performances including Sango and Osun cultural dances, attracting dignitaries, community leaders, and students from across Ghana.
Guests at the event commended the Ooni for his unwavering role in strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between the Yoruba people and their counterparts across Africa and the diaspora.
