Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, have commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage as a core pillar of national identity and international diplomacy.
Their praise came during a media conference hosted by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) to usher in the upcoming World Orisha Congress (WOOCON). The event, which celebrates African spiritual and cultural traditions, is expected to place Nigeria at the center of a global cultural revival.
Cultural Recognition at the National Level
The Ooni, who serves as Global Patron of WOOCON, lauded President Tinubu’s efforts in creating a culturally enabling environment and for extending formal recognition to traditional institutions.
“Culture is the soul of a people. Without it, we have no identity,” the monarch said. “President Tinubu’s leadership is not only helping to reposition our cultural values globally, but also bringing us back to the very essence of our existence.”
Soyinka: Cultural Diplomacy a Path to Global Relevance
Prof. Soyinka, also a patron of WOOCON, highlighted the broader impact of cultural engagement, calling it a vital step toward national reawakening and tourism growth.
“Culture defines people and nationalities. Intellectual and spiritual engagement are key to reviving African culture,” he said, praising Tinubu for backing the initiative.
Nigeria-Brazil Cultural Collaboration
Brazilian Consul in Lagos, Ambassador Manuel de Lacerda Santos, emphasized the deep cultural ties between Brazil and Nigeria, rooted in shared Yoruba heritage. He noted that thousands of Brazilians continue to participate in Nigerian festivals such as Osun Oshogbo and Sango, underlining the enduring spiritual bond.
WOOCON as a Cultural and Economic Catalyst
NICO’s Executive Secretary and CEO, Mr. Abiodun Ajiboye—who also serves as Secretary of the WOOCON Board of Trustees—highlighted WOOCON’s potential to drive economic growth through cultural and spiritual tourism.
“WOOCON is more than a congress. It’s a global movement to reclaim and redefine African cultural identity,” Ajiboye said, projecting that the initiative could generate over $10 billion annually for Nigeria within three years.
He added that other nations in the Caribbean and Latin America are part of the growing network of cultural collaborators, further strengthening Nigeria’s role in the global cultural discourse.
Preserving African Spiritual Heritage
Renowned Yoruba scholar, Prof. Wande Abimbola, stressed that the Orisha tradition is a spiritual system with global relevance that deserves preservation and respect.
The full programme of WOOCON, according to NICO, will span several months and feature a mix of cultural, spiritual, and academic engagements—cementing Nigeria’s leadership in global cultural diplomacy.
