Ooni of Ife Donates Land for World Ifa Temple, Boosts Yoruba Spiritual Heritage.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has taken a historic step to promote Yoruba culture and spirituality by donating three acres of land for the construction of the World Ifa Temple. This donation is seen as a major boost for traditional religion and is expected to make Ile-Ife a top destination for Yoruba worshippers from all over the world.

The land, which is located near the Stadium Area along Route 7 in Ile-Ife, Osun State, was given to the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR). The announcement was made by the President of ICIR, Fayemi Fakayode, in Ibadan. According to Fakayode, the Ooni’s gesture shows his deep love for Yoruba tradition and his commitment to preserving and promoting the spiritual heritage of the Oduduwa people.

He said;

“This gesture of our revered first class Oba has demonstrated his love for tradition and Yoruba culture and spirituality. With this step, Ooni’s commitment to preserving and promoting Oduduwa’s cultural heritage and spirituality is obvious to all to see.”

The World Ifa Temple will be the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. It is designed to serve as a major pilgrimage center for followers of Ifa and Orisa spirituality, not just in Nigeria but across the globe. The temple will be a place where worshippers can gather, pray, learn, and celebrate their faith together.

Fakayode, speaking on behalf of the Council of Araba and Oluwo, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence, Awodotun Aworeni, the Araba/Olu-Isese Agbaye, thanked the Ooni for his generosity. He said that the donation would help unite practitioners of Ifa and Orisa worldwide and give them a central place to connect with their roots.

Construction work has already started on the site, and the project is expected to attract thousands of visitors every year. The ICIR, which has its headquarters at Oke-Itase in Ile-Ife, had earlier requested the land for this special purpose, calling it “the Largest World Ifa Temple” in Ile-Ife.

The Ooni’s donation comes at a time when there is a renewed interest in African traditional religions, both in Nigeria and among the Yoruba diaspora in the Americas, Europe, and other parts of the world. Many believe that the new World Ifa Temple will help preserve ancient knowledge, promote cultural pride, and encourage younger generations to learn about their heritage.

The temple will also boost tourism and the local economy in Ile-Ife, as more people travel to the city for spiritual reasons. It is expected to include spaces for worship, teaching, and cultural events, making it a center for both religious and cultural activities.

Leaders of the Ifa and Orisa communities have praised the Ooni for his vision and leadership. They say that the World Ifa Temple will not only serve as a place of worship but also as a symbol of unity and peace for Yoruba people everywhere.

As work continues on the new World Ifa Temple, excitement is growing among traditional worshippers and cultural enthusiasts. The project is seen as a major step forward in the global recognition of Yoruba spirituality and a proud moment for the people of Ile-Ife and Nigeria as a whole.

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