Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, has proposed a divine-centered approach to solving Nigeria’s persistent problems. Speaking at the annual Eledumare Festival in Iwo, Osun State, the monarch called for Nigerians to seek divine guidance as the only path to true progress and national unity. He emphasized that the nation’s problems, from economic woes to political instability, could only be addressed through a return to God.
The Oluwo, who hosted the festival on Saturday at his palace, urged Nigerians to stop lamenting their difficulties and instead focus on spiritual solutions. “The only way out is for us to seek divine intervention. We must turn to God for guidance,” he declared. He noted that Nigeria, with its abundant natural resources, has the potential to thrive without relying on foreign aid.
At the heart of his message was the need for Nigerians to reconnect with their Creator. According to the Oluwo, the resources within the country, especially those found in Yorubaland, should be harnessed for the nation’s benefit. He criticized the nation’s inability to effectively manage its natural wealth, stating, “We have enough resources to develop, but we are not using them wisely. Foreigners continue to take our minerals at cheap prices and sell them back to us at inflated costs.”
Oba Akanbi emphasized that the essence of the Eledumare Festival was to remind people of the importance of worshiping the one true God. “We are taking our people back to the days when we had true power. When we start worshiping God, we will begin to use wisdom to convert gold to our own use, limestone to cement. If we begin to use our wisdom, we will be greater than America,” he said.
The monarch also pointed out that Nigeria’s economic challenges are not a new phenomenon. “It is not today that the economy of Nigeria is bad. Since independence, there has been no government that people did not complain about,” he said. Despite the challenges, he remained optimistic that with divine intervention, the country could overcome its difficulties.
Addressing the cultural aspects of the festival, the Oluwo also reflected on the rich traditions of the Yoruba people. He explained that, historically, the Yoruba have been worshippers of one God and not multiple deities. “Our forefathers did not know deities like Sango or Ogun. Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba, did not worship them. We must return to worshiping the one true God,” the Oluwo asserted.
He called on the Yoruba people to embrace monotheism and discard the practice of venerating deities. “Our culture and tradition are devoid of deities. We must approach God directly. Kingship is to profess that the only thing that is worthy of worship is God. We are calling all Yoruba to worship only one God,” he declared.
The monarch also expressed concern about the ingratitude of some Nigerians who, he believes, fail to recognize the blessings and resources bestowed upon the country by God. “If we are not ungrateful to God, it is not the foreigners who will be taking our resources from us cheaply,” he lamented.
Oba Akanbi’s remarks were met with applause by the attendees, many of whom agreed with his call for a spiritual renaissance. He emphasized that the strength of any nation lies in the unity and collective will of its people, and this, he believed, could only be achieved through a shared commitment to divine guidance.
The Eledumare Festival, which was held in the Oluwo’s palace, is an annual celebration that brings together the people of Iwo and the wider Yoruba community to celebrate their culture, traditions, and spirituality. This year’s event was no different, as it featured prayers, music, and traditional performances that underscored the rich heritage of the Yoruba people.
Also present at the event was Mr. Kehinde Oloke, the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Culture and Tourism. Oloke praised the Oluwo for his efforts in promoting unity and spirituality within the Yoruba community. He acknowledged the significance of the Eledumare Festival, stating, “The Oluwo has shown leadership by calling us to worship God without dividing ourselves along different belief systems.”
