Past two-time Mayor of the London Borough of Wandsworth - Honorary Alderman Erelu Lola Ayonrinde has been accorded the laurel: Yeye Oludamoran Nipa Asa Ati Ise Yoruba (Mother Counsellor on the Culture and Practices of the Yorubas). The award was bestowed at the Conference of Yoruba In Diaspora which took place in Dubai yesterday.
Erelu Lola Ayonrinde bags award
An ardent campaigner on the accurate practice of ancestral traditions, she is well known as a unique individual with a sound logistic understanding of the relevance of the norms values customs and traditions of the Yorubas.
Recently, as an authorised representative of His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni of Ile Ife, she provided clarification and insight into the controversies regarding the new Olori (Wife and Queen) of the Ooni of Ile Ife; emphasising that the King is "determined to break down all religious barriers among descendants of Oduduwa in order to achieve unity, peace and progress."
Honorary Alderman Erelu Lola Ayonrinde
Erelu Ayonrinde has single-handedly triggered a major campaign to end customary rituals inappropriately linked with Installation and burial rites of Yoruba Monarchs.
A Champion of a return to the True Tradition of the Yoruba Ancestors, Erelu Lola Ayonrinde, believes it is of paramount importance that the history, customs, heritage, and beliefs of Yoruba People of Oduduwa are accurately understood, communicated and practiced for future generations.
A previous GAB Awards recipient, Erelu Ayonrinde is a past Mayor, Conservative Councillor, Magistrate, Privileged Honorary Alderman of The London Borough of Wandsworth, an Ambassador of Peace, a Cross-Cultural Relationship Stress Consultant (CCRSC) and holds a number of Royal Chieftaincy Titles.