Ooni, Soyinka take Nigerian culture to Brazil

By Busayo Onijala/Tope Lawanson

Yinka Oduniyi, Member, Nigeria-Brazil Culture and Business Initiative, said the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, have indicated willingness to support the establishment of a cultural museum.

Oduniyi said this at a reception hosted by Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for the Brazilian cultural delegation visiting the South West states.

He explained that the cultural museum would be established in Brazil in collaboration with Brazil’s Ministry of Culture.

According to him, the Ooni has offered to send a 30-member delegation of experts to Brazil to help create the visual for the project.

”This delegation will consist of historians, professors, artisans, curators and a couple of others who know so much about our cultural tradition,“ he said.

NAN recalls that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, embarked on a 10-day historical visit to Brazil in June to strengthen the cultural ties between both countries.

The visit was aimed at strengthening the cultural affinities between the blacks in Brazil and Yorubas in Nigeria with a view to using culture to harness economic partnership to benefit the two countries.

Oduniyi added that Prof. Soyinka also agreed to be on the advisory council of the museum.

”Soyinka has volunteered to use his resources and connections to ensure the narrative remains as authentic as possible.

”The narrative will be controlled by Africa itself.

”Our dream is to liberate and showcase the full riches of our culture to all,” he said.

Oduniyi told NAN that the essence of the project was to establish lasting relationship between Nigerians and Afro-Brazilians.

”There is a need to preserve the culture that Nigerians and Brazilians share.

”It will help address and correct the narrative of our history so that we can map out our future

”There is a need to bring the authentic custodians of the culture to visit Brazil to show that culture is still alive and being practiced,” he said.

The Brasillian delegation, led by the Culture Secretary of Rio de Janeiro, Mrs Nilcemar Nogueira, sought ways to promote cultural exchange and business between Nigeria and Brazil.

Other members of the delegation were Desirree Rers, Director, Samba Musuem in Rio, Carolina Osunleye, a journalist from bistonian Ojaja TV, Iyalorisa Edelzuita and Babalawo Ifadele.

NAN reports that the delegation comprised of Afro-Brazilians and were descendants of Yoruba race in Brazil.