Traditional African religion has not been forgotten, especially among the Yoruba ethnic group as traditionalists still practice across the nooks and crannies of the country without much hindrance except for the acceptability by the general populace.
The Nigeria Standard is ready to take you on a journey of a young Ifa priest who is doing wonders with the Yoruba natural powers.
NG Standard : Can we meet you ?
Chief Ifagbohunmi : I am Chief Olayode Ifadola Ifagbohunmi, born on 26th of April, 1995 to the family of Pa. Abiodun and Omobukola Olayode at Ona-Otun town, ilaro in Yewa South local Government Area of Ogun State.
NG Standard :What do you do for a living?
Chief Ifagbohunmi : I am an Ifa priest here in Isara
NG Standard : Despite all the numerous handiworks that we have, why did a youth like you choose to be an Ifa priest, a profession that is mostly associated with the elderly?
Chief Ifagbohunmi : (laughs).Thank you very much, The reason for that is that I was told a story of my paternal grandfather who was during his lifetime an Ifa priest and was so good in doing it that the practices got him so much respect from all and sundry, but my own is a Christian, a member of the celestial church of Christ and I was born into the celestial church , infact my father has a church he is superetending over but faith brought me into Ifa religion and I have embraced it.
NG Standard : Didn’t you have formal education just like every of your mate growing up?
Chief Ifagbohunmi : I attended school up till secondary education when I was much younger, but I couldn’t go beyond the capability of my parent, I have the opportunities I have now then, maybe I would have further more in education up to the university education, I have Senior School leaving certificate intact.
NG Standard : Are you planning to go further in your education?
Ifagbohunmi : Ofcourse, I will definitely further my education in the nearest future because I have understand the importance of education in all things.
NG Standard :Did you not posses any skilled knowledge?
Ifagbohunmi : Thank you very much, when I was growing up and it got to a time for me learn handiwork, I was enrolled for shoemaking precisely on 1st of January, 2010 where I spent about three years, I left in 2013 after which I decided to learn Ifa panegyrics and divination, and when I took that decision I discussed it with no one because I was convinced that it is the right call for me except for a brother of mine who also practices Ifa religion much later.
NG Standard : Among all other deities, why Ifa ?
Ifagbohunmi : I choose Ifa for Specific reason, Ifa is the arrow head of all other gods and there is no other gods that supercedes Ifa elerin -ipin.
NG Standard : How many years have you been practicing ?
Ifagbohunmi : I have been on this job for about six years now and still counting and I learnt Ifa from my boss, chief Semiu Ambali Asawo okin
NG Standard : Your Achievements so far
Ifagbohunmi : I have been able to achieve so many things eversince I took up the heritage of my forebears, to the glory of God and Ifa, as little as I am, I have a house of my own among many other things.
NG Standard : Seeing your mates picked different routes to attain success particularly those with formal education, would you say you have any regrets?
Ifagbohunmi : Like I said earlier, I have no regret whatsoever, Ifa is the best.
NG Standard : Aside being an Ifa priest, is there anything else you can do ?
Ifagbohunmi : (Laughs) There is nothing I desired most than to be an Ifa diviner, if God gives me another opportunity to come to this world again,I would still like to be the mouth-piece and worshipper of Ifa Oracle.
NG Standard: People’s perception about people that engaged in traditionalism like yourself are of negativity, what is your response to this ?
Ifagbohunmi : This is not true, because just like custodians of other faith, we do good and assist people with our powers, not that we are wicked people that is not to say there are no few bad eggs amongst us but the gods has a way of dealing with the wicked ones doing evil all in the name of being a traditional Priest.
NG Standard : Money ritual has become a trending practice in recent time, most especially among the youths, how can we stem the tide ?
Ifagbohunmi : I am very grateful for that question, you see my response to that goes thus ;any Ifa priest (Babalawo) that truly understand the ways and guidance of Ifa Oracle will never engage in money ritual because it negates the worship and practices of the gods.
What a true diviner (Babalawo) does if any customer comes to him for prosperity is firstly to consult his Ifa Oracle, do appeasement to the person’s creator and the gods and as well pray (Iwure) on behalf of that person for him or her to have breakthrough not that you do rituals that usually comes with regrettable repercussions and consequences.
NG Standard : What would say contributed to the rising cases of money ritual among the youths ?
Ifagbohunmi : The answer to that is not far fetched, greediness, most youths are greedy and lazy, they do not have patience , they want to get rich overnight without struggling for anything which in turn brings to their doorstep untimely death.
NG Standard : What are the challenges would you say is affecting traditional religious practices in Nigeria, particularly in Yorubaland?
Ifagbohunmi : One of the major challenges facing us is acceptability, and lack of due recognition among the people particularly the elites, they usually see us as bad influence to the society but meanwhile whenever they are confronted with issues beyond human common sense, they run to us for help.
NG Standard : Being a youth yourself, would you say youths are embracing the practice of Ifa, particularly those that came from that lineage ?
Ifagbohunmi : You see, most youths are not ready to tow the path of their fathers, the get rich quick syndrome has turned the back of many youths against their history and natural powers that could serve as easy way to their success, that is the reason you see most of them being faced with many challenges and obstacles to greatness except if they go back and worship the gods of their forebears ” let me tell you there is one Line of Ifa Oracle corpus that says ” Owo ti baba Se’ku ni mo n’se, di’fa fun iwe re ‘n Jeje, eleyi ti n’se Omo eso itoko, iwe re’jeje lo se Ifa fun orunmila, Ifa ni ma se iba baba re kale, iba akoda, iba aseda, iba erinji la’do, iba Araba lo’tu ife, afe’yi ti mo ba da’se, ki’oro ma’sai gba”.
You see, what Ifa was trying to point out here is the importance of recognizing and appreciating once heritage power to the progress of ones life.
I want to implore all the youths to go back home,retrace their steps and embrace the gods of their forefathers, by doing so, doors of goodness will be open unto them and they shall have headway in all their endeavours.
NG Standard : How would rate the relationship between traditionalist and the government
Ifagbohunmi : Thank you, we have a good relationship with government at all tiers, infact most of us are being certified by government and our practices backed with relevant laws and decrees but we still begging for more backing from them.
Our culture and tradition can serve as a means of revenue generation for the entire states of the South-west.
NG Standard : Is there a specific role needed to be played by traditionalists for Nigeria to surmount the various challenges confronting her particularly in the area of insecurity ?
Ifagbohunmi : Yes, traditionalists most especially Ifa priests have the power to assist in these regard, if the government is ready to work with us and heed to our advice.
NG Standard : Do you have any programme you intend to embark on to aid your profession?
Ifagbohunmi : yes quiet a few, I have outlined them, one of them is the empowerment opportunities for the people and the annual Ifa and isese celebration to further give the needed boost to our heritage in Yorubaland.
NG Standard : Any Advice for the youths
Ifagbohunmi : I want to encourage the youths to be cautious of their actions and be patient as well as work hard for them to have a secured and great Future.
Holding tight to one’s culture and tradition could pay off in the long run, as citizens of countries from other parts of the world often travel far and wide to study and learn more about the cultures of other climes through processes such as tourism.
Another Ifa Oracle corpus says “Sin’mi titi l’awo Sin’mi titi, Sin’mi jinna l’awo Sin’mi jinna, t’oba le Sin’mi jinna, ko Sin’mi d’ele o’ni rosun owon gogo d’a fun elegant oyigi Omo aro’gba ota weere s’egun, won ni ko k’era, ki imole o ja’re, ebo Ogun l’awo pe o se, o gbebo lopolopo, orubo, o gbero atiba, o tu f’esu, eropo, ero ofa, a’ba wo l’awo se’gun ebo.
We shall all overcome our enemies and reach the top.
Chief Olayode Ifadola Ifagbohunmi is the Director Ifagbohunmi Empire located at oke-ola street, Isara in Ogun State.
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