By John Dike Osogbo
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has congratulated Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his re-election, expressing optimism that his renewed mandate will strengthen relations between Brazil, Nigeria and other African countries.
The monarch called for deeper cooperation between Africa and Brazil, particularly in cultural exchange, trade, tourism, education and the preservation of African heritage.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Otunba Moses Olafare.
The statement described President Lula as a committed friend of Africa and an advocate of Yoruba cultural heritage and Isese traditional religion.
The Ooni, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), expressed hope that Lula’s renewed mandate would create further opportunities to deepen relations between Brazil and the African continent.
The monarch also expressed optimism about strengthening ties between Brazil and the Yoruba people, whose historical and cultural connections with the South American country remain significant.
According to him, the historical links between Africa and Brazil provide a strong foundation for expanding partnerships that would promote shared heritage, people-to-people relations, economic development and cultural diplomacy.
He identified tourism, education, trade, youth development and the preservation of African cultural identity as key areas where both sides could deepen cooperation for mutual benefit.
The Ooni further called on world leaders to prioritise peace, unity, inclusive development and constructive dialogue in addressing challenges confronting their countries and the international community.
He expressed confidence that Lula would use his renewed mandate to consolidate his administration’s development agenda while strengthening Brazil’s engagement with African countries, particularly the Yoruba community.
The monarch also emphasised the importance of collaboration among traditional institutions, governments and international organisations in promoting cultural understanding and building enduring relationships across continents.
He wished the Brazilian president a successful tenure, expressing hope that his leadership would contribute to Brazil’s continued development and stronger relations with African nations.
The congratulatory message comes against the backdrop of the Ooni’s longstanding efforts to promote Yoruba culture internationally and reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral heritage.
In 2023, the monarch embarked on a five-day working visit to Brazil as part of his global campaign for African people’s peace and progress.
During the visit, undertaken following a presidential invitation, the Ooni attended the unveiling of the maiden edition of Brazil’s National Isese Day, an initiative highlighting the recognition and promotion of traditional African religious and cultural heritage.
The monarch visited São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia and Brasília, where he engaged Brazilian leaders and members of the African diaspora on cultural preservation, unity and the reconnection of Afro-Brazilians with their ancestral roots.
His engagements also featured the promotion of his Back To Home initiative, designed to encourage Afro-Brazilians to reconnect with Africa and explore opportunities to return to their ancestral homeland.
The statement noted that President Lula and Brazil’s National Parliament had expressed support for the promotion of Yoruba culture and the recognition of National Orisa Day under the country’s legal framework.
During one of his engagements, the Ooni called for unity among people of African descent across the world, urging Brazilian lawmakers to support initiatives that would strengthen relations between Brazil and Africa.
He said the historical connections between the Yoruba people and Afro-Brazilians should serve as a foundation for renewed solidarity, irrespective of differences in race, colour, religion or cultural experience.
The monarch also offered to welcome members of the African diaspora to Ile-Ife, describing the ancient Yoruba kingdom as a home where people seeking to reconnect with their ancestral heritage could establish lasting ties.
He emphasised that Africa’s development would benefit from stronger connections between people on the continent and those living in the diaspora.
Following a parliamentary engagement, the Ooni was received at Nigeria House in Brasília by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Amb. Ahmad Muhammed Makarfi, alongside 25 African diplomats.
The monarch also held a private meeting with President Lula, during which he advocated stronger cultural and trade relations between Brazil and African countries.
At the meeting, the Ooni proclaimed Lula and Brazil’s First Lady, Rosângela Lula da Silva, as Omo Oduduwa, reflecting his efforts to recognise and reinforce the historical and cultural connections between the Yoruba people and Afro-Brazilians.
He also called for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, arguing that improved transportation links would facilitate trade, commerce, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
President Lula, according to the statement, appreciated the monarch’s commitment to reconnecting Afro-Brazilians with Africa and reaffirmed his administration’s interest in strengthening relations with African countries.
The Ooni’s latest message of congratulations is therefore seen as a continuation of his diplomatic and cultural engagements aimed at deepening the historical bonds between Africa and Brazil.
Through his advocacy, the monarch has continued to promote the idea that shared ancestry and cultural heritage can serve as a foundation for international cooperation, economic partnerships and sustainable development.
He maintained that reconnecting Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland would create opportunities for greater collaboration between communities across continents.
The monarch’s call for stronger Africa-Brazil relations also underscores the potential of cultural diplomacy in expanding international partnerships beyond conventional political and economic engagements.
For the Ooni, strengthening these connections remains central to his vision of a united African people working together, at home and abroad, to preserve their heritage and contribute to the continent’s progress
