The President of the International Congress for Ifa-Orise/Orisa Spirituality (ICIOS), Chief Solagbade Popoola has said that Ifa’s spiritual treasures, knowledge can attract tourists and empower the Nigeria Forces, challenging the Federal Government to rethink its approach to economic development and security solutions.
Speaking in a press conference today in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, the President represented by the State Secretary (ICIOS), Oluwo Ifaniyi Awoyemi Ogun noted “We urge the government to recognize the relevance of Ifa culture and support our efforts to develop faith tourism, by doing so, we can create a new revenue stream for the country while sharing our rich spiritual heritage with the world.”
Also, the General Secretary International Congress for Ifa-Orise/Orisa Spirituality, Akomolafe Wande (ICIOS), emphasized that faith tourism has been a significant revenue source for countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel, and India, noting that Nigeria has its unique spiritual heritage, including its River Jordan, but citizens lacks value for its culture.
“The same thing you travel to get in Saudi, Israel or India we have ours. Look at what Saudi is earning yearly infact they give a specific amount of visa per country.”
Wande who revealed that he is a former Deeper Live Pastor, appealed to the government to allocate 10% of the subsidy given to Hajj (approximately N90 billion) to develop faith tourism in Nigeria, highlighting the potential for transformation, adding that people from countries like the US and Brazil are already interested in exploring Nigeria’s spiritual offerings.
According to Mrs. Fakankun Funmilayo, the ICIOS Lecturer, argued that Ifa has significant untapped advanced technology, and knowledge filled in its philosophy, metaphysics and Spiritual diagnosis, noting that in a time when Nigeria faces numerous security challenges, Ifa can equip the forces beyond natural realm.
Fakankun explained that Ifa also has life after death, and its emphasis is for good deeds, adding that the concept of devil does not exist in Ifa.
She however lamented “We have written multiple proposals but to no avail. We need listening ears let them give us the chance and see whether it is worth it.
Similarly, Ayobami Ogedengbe-Arabia Awo of Oke egbe Akoko, emphasized the richness of Ifa knowledge, philosophy, and metaphysics, which can help address various problems, stressing the need for research into Ifa medicines and the exploration of other areas particularly its metaphysics that can be weaponized for the Nigeria military.
