Many many years back, when the slave trade was still in existence, a lot of our ancestors were forcefully taken away from their homes, land, and people and were taken to Europe and other places where they were sold as slaves.
Many many years later, the generations of those ancestors who were taken, traced their roots back to their respective countries in Africa.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Oni of Ile-Ife received some Americans who traced their roots back to Ile-Ife.
The excited Oni emphasized the importance of identifying one’s roots, he further said that we all look alike, the only difference is that some of our forefathers were taken away, while others remained.
The exercise also comes with giving them indigenous names, he prayed for them and said that the names given to them will manifest good fruits in their lives.
He said, If you take a closer look at yourselves in comparison to your kinsmen and women here, you will agree with me that there is no difference between us.
“The only difference is that my forefathers missed the boat that yours caught up with.
“So, my dear children, you are welcome home and I pray that the meaningful names you are being bestowed with today will manifest in all your endeavors.”
Africa is a beautiful place, and the later generations of our ancestors taken in the slave trade, would at least want to be identified with Africa.
