The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has donated three acres of land to the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) for the construction of the World Ifa Temple.
The donation, according to the ICIR, is aimed at promoting traditional religious practices and establishing what is expected to become the largest pilgrimage site for Yoruba traditional worshippers globally.
The development was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President of the ICIR, Fayemi Fakayode, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Fakayode described the gesture as a demonstration of the monarch’s deep commitment to Yoruba tradition, culture, and spirituality.
“This gesture of our revered first-class Oba has demonstrated his love for tradition and Yoruba culture and spirituality,” the statement read.
He added, “On behalf of the Council of Araba and Oluwo, under the chairmanship of His Eminence, Awodotun Aworeni, the Araba/Olu-Isese Agbaye, and all practitioners of Ifa and Orisa worldwide, we thank His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, for this good and historic gesture.”
Fakayode further noted that the temple would stand as a symbol of Ooni’s dedication to preserving and promoting the cultural and spiritual legacy of the Yoruba people.
“This project is going to be the largest World Ifa Temple across the world, and it will serve as a major pilgrimage site for practitioners of Oduduwa’s spirituality across the globe,” he stated.
