By Erewunmi Peace

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has responded to a controversial statement by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, who recently claimed that Ile-Ife is not the ancestral origin of the Yoruba people.

Speaking through his spokesperson, the Ooni’s palace described Oluwo’s assertion as misleading and an attempt to distort well-established Yoruba history. The palace insisted that Ile-Ife remains the cradle of Yoruba civilization, widely recognized in history, culture, and oral tradition.

Earlier, the Oluwo of Iwo had argued that “Ife is not the source of the Yoruba race,” sparking debates across Yorubaland and beyond. His statement challenged a long-held belief among the Yoruba that Ile-Ife is the spiritual and cultural homeland of their people.

In defense of Ife’s historic role, the Ooni’s palace emphasized that both traditional accounts and scholarly works point to Ife as the foundation of Yoruba civilization. The palace cautioned against rewriting history in ways that could mislead future generations.

The debate has reignited conversations among scholars, cultural custodians, and the general public about the origins of the Yoruba people, highlighting the continuing significance of history and tradition in shaping identity across the region.