The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, has congratulated Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his recent re-election victory and 81st birthday celebration, using the moment to advocate for the official recognition and preservation of the deep, shared cultural heritage linking Nigeria and Brazil.
The Paramount Ruler also congratulated the citizens of Brazil, whose history, he said, “demonstrates the importance of democratic participation in shaping its future.”
In a release by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade stated that “as the Alaafin of Oyo and representative of a historical civilizational tradition of profound significance to the heritage, I recognize the historical importance of the Yoruba people in shaping the cultural connections between West Africa and Brazil.
“The Yoruba presence in Brazilian society, alongside the contributions of numerous other African peoples and the Indigenous people native to this land, forms part of a rich and diverse human heritage whose significance deserves to be recognized, studied, and preserved.”
He noted that this heritage is reflected in language, collective memory, artistic expression, traditional knowledge, community organization, and African-derived religious traditions.
According to him, “it is a living inheritance that transcends geographical boundaries and serves as a bridge between our peoples. Preserving it means acknowledging Africa’s contribution to the formation of Brazil and strengthening the bonds between present and future generations.
While stressing that the historical bonds between Brazil, Nigeria, and the Yoruba peoples continue to inspire initiatives founded upon friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation, Oba Owoade called for “the memory of our ancestors to be honoured through contemporary relations based upon sovereign equality, solidarity among nations, and recognition of the contribution of every people to the history of humanity.
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