Obasanjo: We have relegated rich African cultures for western practices

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said he respects Ifa, the Yoruba divination system because Orunmila (the god of divination) had been in Yorubaland before the advent of Christianity and Islam.

Obasanjo, who was emphasising the need to preserve the African cultural heritage, said this on Sunday at a luncheon he organised to mark the 50th birthday of popular female drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa. The event was held at the Green Legacy of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Speaking, the former President said: “Culture is the totality of who we are, unfortunately, we have relegated some of our culture to the background, our food, our language, our dress and so on.

“They even say Yoruba is vernacular, that is not right, Yoruba is Yoruba, it is the authentic and we must learn to celebrate what belong to us because that’s the authentic. I am a Christian, I have been to two churches today but whoever say Ifa Orumila is nothing must be a bloody fool because Orunmila has been with us before the advent of Christianity or Islam.”

Obasanjo also explained why he decide to hold a luncheon to honour Ara. He said, “while growing up, there were two things you would never see a woman do. A woman would never be seen climbing palm tree and you will also not see a woman drummer.

“But Ara with her tenacity and focus has however broken this taboo. She is now known all over the world as a drummer. We now have a woman who can beat the drum better than the men. She is helping a lot to sustain our cultural heritage and that is why I have decided to celebrate her so as to further encourage her to keep up the good job.”

The former President urged youths to take a cue from the celebrated drummer saying that “whatever good your hands find to do, do it well and I will celebrate you, the lesson here is that nothing is unimportant in every area of human’s endeavours.”