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CULTURE

Wole Soyinka named patron of World Orisa Congress

January 25, 2025 • 2 min read

January 24, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has been appointed as Patron of the World Orisa Congress (WOOCON) by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), a parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Caleb Nor, media assistant to the Executive Secretary of NICO, Otunba Abiodun Ajiboye, in a statement, said the Nobel Laureate while accepting appointment said it is an honour to be called upon by the Federal Government through its organ, NICO, to serve as Patron of such a gigantic global spiritual/cultural convergence.

“I am honoured to accept your kind invitation to become a Patron of the World Orisa Congress. May I also take this opportunity to commend you for your untiring commitment to the rightful placement of Orisa consciousness on the spiritual template of humanity”, he stressed.

“Today, the government of Nigeria has identified the great opportunity inherent in the existence of over 450 million people connected to this spirituality world over.

“While the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is appointed Chairman, Board of Trustees, a Professor of Ifa Divination, Prof. Wande Abimbola, who is former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) has also been appointed as Patron”, he stated.

This appointment recognizes Professor Soyinka’s longstanding efforts to promote the collective cultural identity of the Yoruba race.

Professor Soyinka expressed his honor at being invited to serve as Patron, commending NICO for its commitment to promoting Orisa consciousness globally.

He joins other notable figures, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Professor Wande Abimbola, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife, who has also been appointed as Patron.

His acceptance of this role demonstrates his willingness to contribute to the global recognition and appreciation of Orisa culture, which is shared by over 450 million people worldwide.