The Co-Chairman of the National Traditional Council inaugurated the religious day at the banquet hall of the Presidential Palace in Brasilia when he was hosted by President Lula da Silva as part of a working visit to Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, Salvador, Bahia and Brasilia.
One of Nigeria’s most prominent kings, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, has inaugurated the annual African Traditional Religion Day called Isese Day, in Brazil.
The Co-Chairman of the National Traditional Council inaugurated the religious day at the banquet hall of the Presidential Palace in Brasilia when he was hosted by President Lula da Silva as part of a working visit to Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, Salvador, Bahia and Brasilia.
Ogunwusi was in Brazil in continuation of his global tour for the African People’s Peace and Progress Agenda as well as the unveiling of initiatives for the re-unification of the over 100 million Afro-Brazilians via his programme tagged “Back To Home,” the Voice of Nigeria reports.
He used the visit to appreciate the outstanding contributions of Afro-Brazilians to the country and urged President Lula not to renege on his promise of an inclusive pro-African government.
“I can remember very vividly your pronouncement on love and respect to African people during your visit to Nigeria in 2003 while the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, was in the office. We have you in our prayers and we pray that the Almighty Olodumare (God) continues to be with you. Africa is proud of you,” the monarch said.
In his response, President Lula da Silva thanked the Ooni and lauded him for his mission towards the reunification of not just the Afro-Brazilians but also Africans worldwide, which he said means well for global peace.
President Lula told Ogunwusi that the efforts of the Afro-Brazilians towards nation-building in Brazil cannot be over-emphasised, adding that his government is committed to strengthening the ties between Brazil and Africa, which is the home continent of his people.
“My wife is here, always calls you ‘My father’. Your love for us and for our country is indeed well appreciated and I promise you my continued love for Africa. I have visited 44 countries in Africa and opened 19 embassies because Brazil of my administration has a historic pact to Africa,” President Lula said.
The Brazilian President assured that the annual African Religion Day – Isese Day has come to stay in Brazil.
As part of his official schedule in Brazil, the Ooni addressed a parliamentary session at the Federal House of Representatives Chamber in Brasilia where he called for the unity of African descendants across the world, urging the legislative arm to support President Lula with the necessary pro-Afro-Brazilian legislation.
“We cannot afford to be divided again. We are one, irrespective of colour and race. President Lula is our pride, he remains determined to do well for Africa, and you must support him with legislation helpful to his mission for Africa.
“That’s all I beg of you if truly we are one big family. What we need now is to unite for the growth of all persons and be good to all regardless of religious and cultural differences,” he said.
He assured the Brazilians of plots of land to build houses in Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba people.
“I’m sitting on an ancient throne of over hundreds of centuries, a sacred throne of the Kingdom where most of you all migrated from. Beyond here in Brazil, I am delighted to inform you that you all have a home in my Kingdom and there are free lands for you to come and build your homes across Africa.”
In his welcome address, the Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, Hon. Deputado Vicentinho Requerente, who led other lawmakers to receive the African monarch in the parliament, described the Ooni as a caring father whom the Afro-Brazilian community holds in very high esteem.
The lawmaker who expressed his heartfelt joy in Portuguese, said, “Your presence here today has added to the dignity of people of African origin in Brazil and this day will remain a history-making day for life.”
After the parliamentary session, the monarch was hosted at the Nigeria House in Brazil by the Nigerian Ambassador to the country, Ambassador Ahmad Muhammed Makarfi, who led other African diplomats to receive the king.
The monarch travelled to Brazil with over a 40-member entourage comprising two queens and traditional rulers, among others.