THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi , has linked the presence of the historic Ark of Noah and the Tower of Babel to Ile-Ife in Osun State.
The monarch added that many mystical signs, primeval artefacts and ancient relics abound in the town.
According to the Ooni, the anthropology and archaeological findings attest to the origin of mankind from Africa, saying there are more than enough evidence to show that the actual origin of creation is Ile Ife.
Officially declaring open and proclaiming Ife as World Tourism Zone, Oba Ogunwusi noted that the historical assets in the ancient town are enough to empower Nigeria and Africa.
He advised tourists and art lovers across the world to to come and avail themselves of old artefacts available in Ife.
However, Oba Ogunwusi, who lamented the neglect of culture, noted that African endowments and culture are gradually going into extinction and, therefore, called on Africans to come together to salvage their heritage.
He said: “The world is gravitating towards the African culture but we (Africans) the custodian of culture do not value it. The bottom line is that everything started in Africa and it has been established by researches and historian. Wherever in Africa the origin of man started, it’s our general asset. We have to take the continent out of the poverty that we are.
Yoruba settlements are found in all the regions of Africa, North and South America, Europe and United States of America, Australia and many other parts of the world. Yorubas are about the half of the population of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Haiti, Brazil and many other nations.”
While advising the African-Americans to visit Ile Ife to discover their roots, the paramount ruler of the Yoruba called on the world to explore the tourism potentials of the ancient town.
Oba Ogunwusi , who described Ife as land of mystery, said: “We want to bring out the mysteries for the whole world to see. God thrives on mystery and every inch of Ile Ife- the land of expansion- is full of mystery. God has blessed us with some mysteries and we need to bless the world with those mysteries.
“For instance, there was a barren twin in Ife who turned herself into a river in order to bless the town. It remains the first wife of any monarch in this town. If you dare the water and fall into it deliberately, as small as it is, you will never return. But if you fall into it by mistake, it will protect you and drop you at the nearest bank of a river where your relatives can see you.
“This river is Yeyemoolu, there is nothing you ask from her that
Yeyemoolu will not give you. This is another tourist attraction, a mystery river that the world can explore.”
The Osolo of Isolo, Akure, Regent Adebusola Abisoye Oluwatuyi, commended the Ooni for his effort to unite the black race culturally, noting that Oba Ogunwusi’s moves will, no doubt, draw the entire members of the black race to their origin.
Also, the Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Department Corporation, Mrs. Sally Nwechue Mbanefo, in her remarks, said that many of the tourism potentials of Ile Ife have remained untapped.