TEXT OF THE ADDRESS OF THE HRM JAMIU ADEWALE ELETU, THE OBARISA AGBAYE IJO OLORISA PARAPO ATI ASA ADULAWO ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA PRESENTED AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED IN RESPECT OF THE FORTHCOMING IGBA IRUNMOLE FESTIVAL IN EKITI STATE
Our Distinguished members,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure and honour that I welcome you to this important press briefing. The purpose is to inform the world more about our organization in order to correct any form of misgiving that anyone or group might have and to also educate the public about the forthcoming Igba-irunmole festival and why the choise of Ekiti is significant.
Ijo Olorisa Parapo ati Asa Adulawo Organization of Nigeria & Overseas otherwise and All Orisa Royal Traditional Religions Worldwide Believers Organizations are legally registered organizations. They are a two-in-one organization with their premier focus on the worldwide propagation and advancement of the traditional religion and culture of the descendants of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race. They are registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) No: CAC/IT/NO 74361 and CAC/IT/NO 94604.
The Ijo Olorisa Parapo Ati Asa Adulawo Organization Of Nigeria & Overseas/ All Orisa Royal Traditional Religions Worldwide Believers Organizations promote the worship of the Yoruba traditional religion in line with our age-long belief in the supremacy of Eledumare and the Orisas, the deities, as His angels.
We are peaceful organizations that detest ungodliness and criminality. We promote peace, honesty and our organizations are guided by our fundamentals principles and rules from engaging in anything that contradicts the advancement of humanity and the promotion of peace and harmony.
We are currently existing and recognized officially in 29 States of Nigeria and in 28 Countries outside Nigeria. In each of the States in which we currently exist, it is our culture to install an Oba Ala Olorisa who oversees the activities of the organization within the State.
The role of Oba Ala Olorisa is purely spiritual. It has nothing to do with the political role of any traditional head of any community or town rather we are to see to the harmonious social existence of all people in any society where we exist through timely supplication to Eledumare. Therefore we pose no threat to the social and political governance of our society. Rather we compliment the efforts of government to ensure peace and stability.
We are not unaware of certain misconceptions in some quarters concerning the manner our Oba Ala Olorisa, who are installed to oversee the administration of our organization in each State and local government areas, carry and conduct themselves and use some items and costumes which seem to make people confuse them to be Royal Fathers. The confusion generated by such is being born out of total ignorance of the original tradition and culture of our people.
This underscores the need for integrated efforts towards an intensive cultural education. Every item or costume used in the Yoruba fashion culture is peculiar to each of the societal groups or categories and class that exist within our society. Ifa adherents have their peculiar dress culture so also the Osun worshippers, the Obatala followers and so on.
Every society has its own peculiar registers and symbolic use of language. This explains why inauguration of leaders is called by different names according to the tradition of the group. While some organizations call their own coronation, some call it ordination, some call it installation, and some even call their own fellowrization. This is not supposed to generate any crisis whatsoever.
Therefore, we call for tolerance so that we can collectively work together to combat our common challenges to achieve lasting peace. All trado-cultural entities in the world need to work together at this time to resuscitate our values which we have lost. The loss of these core values is instrumental to our global social, political and economic predicaments. This is also making the world a more dangerous place for human habitation.
In line with our fundamental role in the promotion of the tradition, beliefs and culture of the Oduduwa descendants all over the world, our organization is celebrating the 1st World Igba-Irunmole Festival in Ekiti State. The festival is meant to celebrate the Two Hundred and One (201) gods that are recognized in the Yoruba mythology and further reawaken our consciousness and strengthen our spirituality towards our continued survival as humans.
The choice of Ekiti State for the maiden edition of the festival is as a result of the cultural significance of the State and the spiritual presence of substantial number of notable Yoruba deities such as Ogun, Osanyin, Esu, Ifa, Osun, Obalufon and so on in the State. The rich natural heritage and culture-tourism for which Ekiti State is noted also makes the State an appropriate location for such festival.
Over Five Thousand global adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion as well as curious tourists, who have been eager to visit the State for its advertised peace and pristine vegetation and springs, will be converging in Ekiti State throughout the period of the festival. We shall be relating with the Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture to help commend the support of Government or the festival because of the various benefits it will certainly bring to Ekiti State. Aside the positive economic upsurge that the State would witness, special prayers shall be offered for continued peace and development of Ekiti State and Nigeria at large during the period of the festival.
Finally, let me use this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to all our members in the Ekiti State Chapter of our organization. I also appreciate you gentlemen of the press.
Thank you and God bless.