Far-famed Osogbo-based Ifa priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, on Tuesday, demanded recognition for African Traditional Religion (ATR), saying such official recognition from the government has been long overdue.
Elebuibon spoke in Osogbo at the official unveiling of an N200 million Idin Ileke Temple, a place of worship by traditionalists in the Atelewo Area of Osogbo.
The edifice, which is to serve as a place of weekly worship and other ceremonies for the adherents of different deities, has a hall with solar panels and designated places for placing atonement.
The adherents are to meet at the hall on Saturdays for service.
Elebuibon said ATR remains the most enduring, a uniting cord binding Africans together long before the advent of religion on other continents of the world.
He said: “The Federal Government must recognise that the African Traditional Religion is our only means of cultural identity. Besides, if it is properly recognised, it can generate revenue in billions of dollars for the country’s economy.
Ile Ajuba Idin Ileke Temple in Osogbo.
“This building is the first of its kind in the country. It is our moderate contribution to traditional religion with a view to enriching our heritage as a people.”
Speaking on behalf of the building committee, Ogundeji Elebuibon, said funds were raised for the project through voluntary donations by the traditionalists in the state and some of their apprentices across the globe.
Elebuibon, who served as the Treasurer of the committee further said, “We raised funds for this project through donations by adherents of traditional religion in the state and beyond. We have godchildren all over the globe and they all contribute money and send to us.
“We spent about N200m on this project and the construction work was completed within 22 months.”
Speaking on the temple’s significance, he said, “This project is significant. With this kind of place of worship, we won’t lose more members to Western religion. It is important for us to have a place where we can worship Olodumare. It will keep our members together. We have our worship on Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm.”
It was reported that Elebuibon urged Kwara Muslims and Isese devotees to allow peace reign in the case involving activist Adegbola Abdulazeez (also known as Tani Olohun).
Abdulazeez was arrested on 16 August in Ibadan and transferred to the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly insulting the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and some prominent Muslim clerics.
