Global intellectual giant and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has been appointed as Patron of the World Orisa Congress (WOOCON) currently being championed by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), a parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria in recognition of his age long interest and struggle to position the collective cultural identity of the Yoruba race.
This development was confirmed in a statement made available to newsmen through the Media Assistant to Executive Secretary, NICO, Caleb Nor.
Soyinka while accepting his appointment said it is an honour to be called upon by the Federal Government through its organ, NICO to serve as Patron of such a gigantic global spiritual/cultural convergence.
“I am honoured to accept your kind invitation to become a Patron of the World Orisa Congress. May I also take this opportunity to commend you for your untring commitment to the rightful placement of Orisa consciousness on the spiritual template of humanity”.
It is on record that Professor Wole Soyinka remains one of the strongest global figures still in Obeisance to the sacred culture of the Yoruba race. Today, the government of Nigeria has identified the great opportunity inherent in the existence of over 450 million people connected to this spirituality world over.
While the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is appointed Chairman, Board of Trustees, a Professor of Ifa Divination, Prof. Wande Abimbola, who is former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) has also been appointed as Patron.
Professor Wole Soyinka’s acceptance to be Patron of World Orisa Congress is a clear indication of his readiness to join hands in repositioning the concept of Orisa globally.
