Boko Haram: Ifa priest proffers spiritual solution

 

(from: http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/05/boko-haram-ifa-priest-proffers-spiritual-solution-2/)

 

By Gbenga Abegunrin

Reporter, Ibadan

 

A traditional religion worshipper, Baba-Awo Awogbemiga Ifasina Bogunmbe, has called for a spiritual solution to the lingering security challenge facing Nigeria, especially the Boko Haram insurgency.

Bogunmbe, an Ifa priest and the President of the Indigenous Faith of Africa, Ogundameji Temple, Agbala Ifa, Apata-Ganga, Ibadan, made the call while speaking with newsmen during this year’s edition of “Ela Festival”.

During the festival celebration, which took place at the Ogundameji Temple at the weekend, a book written by Bogunmbe and titled “Awon Idi Abajo Lati Inu Odu Ifa-Reason Why from the Holy Ifa Verses” was officially launched.

The 137-paged book, according to the author, who is also the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the International Council for Ifa Religion, Oyo State chapter, proffers solutions to many of the problems militating against Nigerians and Nigeria as a country.

His words: “This book was written to promote the practice of Ifa religion and increase knowledge of Ifa and enlighten every category of people about the good deeds that are in the religion. It explains the meaning of many sayings of our forefathers and other strange names they call whenever there is a particular case.”

The foreword to the book dedicated to late Oba Ifayemi Awopeju Bogunmbe, the Oba Iwa Ifa of Oyo State, was written by Professor Idowu B. Odeyemi.

On the lingering insecurity across the country, Bogunmbe said since the Boko Haram and other security challenges have defied physical solutions, spiritual solution should be sought by the Federal Government and other stakeholders.

Bogunmbe also dissociated traditional religion worshipers, especially Ifa worshipers, from the ritual killings in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and the horror Soka evil forest.

The PRO of the International Council for Ifa Religion declared that Ifa worshipers do not use human being or human part to appease their gods. According to him, those who involved themselves in ritual killings are not Ifa worshipers.

He, therefore, suggested the promotion of the traditional religion as a panacea to the series of security challenges in the country.

(from: http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/05/boko-haram-ifa-priest-proffers-spiritual-solution-2/)