Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the preservation of African cultural heritage
He stressed that traditions like Ifa Orunmila must not be allowed to fade into obscurity.
Obasanjo made the call on Sunday when he hosted renowned female talking drummer, Olamuyiwa Aralola, popularly known as Ara, at her 50th birthday celebration.
The event was held at the Green Legacy Hotel and Resort within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Speaking on the importance of cultural preservation, Obasanjo said his commitment to Christianity does not negate his respect for Yoruba traditions.
“I am a Christian; I had attended two churches today and that does not mean that I should forget my culture. Whoever says Ifa is nothing, I will say that person is a big fool,” he declared.
The former president explained the significance of Ifa Orunmila in Yoruba cosmology.
“Before Christianity and Islam, we had Ifa Orunmila, meaning ‘Olorun lo mo eni to ma la’—It is Heaven that knows who will be saved.”
“We must not joke with our culture. We are being relegated to the background—our language, our food, our dress, and others. We must not allow it. These are things that are authentic. Yoruba is not vernacular,” he added.
Obasanjo also praised Ara for her role in preserving Yoruba heritage through the talking drum, a skill traditionally reserved for men.
He described her as a trailblazer who broke taboos and elevated Yoruba culture on the global stage.
“Ara is a woman of culture, our cultural ambassador. She has lifted our culture and broken the taboo on what was formerly believed to be exclusively for men. Not only has she excelled, but she is also building young ones to preserve her legacy,” the ex-president noted.