The organiser of the International Conference of Yoruba Speaking Olorisa Leaders which was held last January in Nigeria - Hon. Alderman Erelu Lola Ayonrinde, has dissociated the conference from allegations of international fraudulent practices experienced by some descendants of the victims of Transatlantic Slave Trade seeking to reconnect with ancient traditions of their ancestors traceable to Ile Ifę.
Honorary Alderman Erelu Lola Ayonrinde
Erelu Lola Ayonrinde
In a Press Statement, Hon. Alderman Ayonrinde - the Erelu Tunwase of Ode-Remo said the "conference was single-handedly organised by Erelu Tunwase as 'mandated' by His Imperial Majesty, The Arole Oodua, Oonirisa Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II of Ifę, in order to effectively address series of lingering conflicts involving numerous Yoruba Speaking Olorisa Leaders of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
"The conflicts involved numerous alleged and proved malpractices of fraud and misrepresentations threatening the overall image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"The main goal was to resolve the conflicts and facilitate a Strategic Direction for the International Development of Ancient Orisa Traditions of Ile Ifę.
"Members of the public should note that Erelu Tunwase has never physically met a single member of an organisation called ARSADA or ARSADIC.
"The conference was not for representatives of any organisation.
"Those invited attended as individuals not as representatives of organizations.
"No organisation called ARSADA or ARSADIC was invited and no such organisation attended .
"Members of the public, please note that the organisation called ARSADA or ARSADIC did not take part in organising the conference."
Oonirisa Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II
His Imperial Majesty, The Arole Oodua, Oonirisa Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II of Ifę
Erelu Ayonrinde who signed the statement as an 'Officially Authorised Representative of His Imperial Majesty Ooni of Ifę, concluded by saying that "As directed by His Imperial Majesty Ooni of Ifę, the goal to facilitate a strategic direction necessary to curb malpractices threatening the future of ancient Orisa Traditions of Ile Ifę under the Royal Ancestral Leadership of HIs Imperial Majesty Oonirisa Ogunwusi Ojaja II of Ifę remains intact."
It will be recalled that the conference was hosted by the Ooni under the Royal Chairmanship of HRM Oba (Dr.) Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, the Elerinmo of Erinmo Land.
Earlier, in a December 2018 statement by its EXCO President - Chief Dr. Sola Olalekan Atanda, the Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants International Council (ARSADIC) formerly known as Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendant Association (ARSADA); had informed "all ARSADIC stakeholders that ARSADIC Executive Committee has no involvement in" the conference.