The Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, made a significant declaration challenging the conventional understanding of Yoruba history.
He stated that the roots of the Yoruba people stretch far beyond Ile-Ife and Oduduwa, urging historians to broaden their research horizons.
Emphasizing that Yorubas are known for their excellence and distinction, he pointed out that restricting the focus solely to Ile-Ife limits the exploration of their extensive historical achievements. According to Oluwo, empirical evidence supports the belief that the first man was Yoruba.
He recounted how Oduduwa, bearing the shortened name Lamurudu, migrated to Ile-Ife and established the traditional system of governance, marked by the symbolic crown of authority. The Oluwo challenged Yoruba professors to delve deeper into Oduduwa’s origin and lineage.
He asserted that Yorubas inherently possess greatness and that humanity’s origins trace back to them. He urged for a comprehensive documentation of Yoruba history, incorporating ancient crowns and stakeholders with genuine interest.
The Oluwo insisted that ancestral homes should be traced to ancient Yoruba-speaking towns, recognized by bodies like JAMB, WAEC, and NECO.
The monarch also suggested revisiting ancient texts to affirm the Yoruba as the origin of humanity, from the creation of Adamo (A Da Ninu Amo) to the present generation.
He claimed to be a descendant of Oduduwa and presented evidence pointing to the Yoruba as the cradle of humanity. He advocated for further academic investigation by Yoruba professors.
In conclusion, Oba Akanbi stressed the importance of researching ancient cities that speak pure, unadulterated Yoruba language, accepted by examination bodies like WAEC, JAMB, and NECO.
He emphasized that Oduduwa’s origins should be a subject of intense scrutiny, as he migrated from somewhere before settling in Ile-Ife, bearing the crown as a symbol of authority.
