A foremost Ifa oracle priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, on Friday, advocated worship of deities and ancestors as a means to preserve the Yoruba culture and traditions.
The priest, during the 2025 Annual Symposium of Ifayemi Elebuibon Annual Symposium (IFEAS) themed, ‘Veneration/Worshipping Of The Ancestors: Its Place In Iseee Religion,’ noted that preservation of the culture would engender development in Yoruba land.
He, however, noted that the symposium was not to condemn or criticise other religions, but to underscore the importance of Yoruba culture.
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His words, “We should not neglect where we are from, and we should always cherish our heritage. It has contributed a lot to the culture. The symposium is not criticising other religions, it is bringing more understanding about all Yoruba traditional religions.
“We must not forget our deities and ancestors, we must worship them so that they can continue to bless us, which will go a long way in bringing development into the land.”
He added that the connection of the Yoruba people with their roots was fundamental; hence, it must not be neglected.
One of the speakers, Chief Komolafe Wande, gave his insight, insisting that Yoruba can preserve their culture by making sure their language, naming of children, mode of dressing, and Yoruba names should never derail.