1. Foreword By
His Royal, Majesty Oba (Dr) Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare, Agunsoye 11, CON, OBALUFON ALAYEMORE, THE ALAYE OF
EFON KINGDOM, EKITI STATE
It goes beyond a cliché when I state that I feel uniquely honored and pleasantly privilege to be called upon to write a forward to this
refreshingly researched book by Prince Adelegan Adegbola, fcpa, which is appropriately titled: ILE-IFE: THE SORRCE OF YORUBA
CIVILIZATION.
The debate on Ile-Ife as a cradle of civilization and indisputable source of Yoruba race has generated and will continue to generate
emotions. But many of such emotions are like impressions left on a cushion, which are bound not to have any lasting effect. Some of
them are like bubbles of water which evaporate as they gather. The reason is simple. Those who chose to oppose the Ife thesis of
origin have not succeeded in providing a counter thesis of unassailable conviction
But Prince Adegbola has gone in this book beyond disputing shaky thesis. He has, utilizing the instrument of research of the best
historians, embarked upon and succeeded at proving a profoundly comprehensive historical book running into about eight hundreds
pages on the origin of a very major human race the Yoruba. It is a book that is apparently ambitious in conception and marvelously
fulfilling in delivery. Only very few authors often succeed in marrying both.
Furthermore, there is a triangle relationship that strikes immediate attention in reading the book. One is the supremacy of the Yoruba
race among other races. This is why it is not a surprise that the Yoruba race spreads even beyond the borders of Nigeria. Two is the
supremacy of Ile-Ife among Yoruba towns and its pivotal source for the Yoruba race. The third of the tripod is the primacy of Ooni
among Yoruba Obas. The Ooni cannot be said to be first amongst equals. He is the father of unequal assemblage. This must have
informed the assertion in the book that “The Ooni is the quintessential icon of royalty and splendor of Yoruba …... The Ooni is not only
Gods chief representative on earthly heads of his people” (page.99)
This book has also broken frontiers by the exploration of Yoruba Kingdoms in Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara and Kogi states. It
has shown that geographical divisions do not detract from cultural and ancestral affinity.
I am convinced that this book will receive easy acceptance amongst the reading public especially, for lucidity, texture and tenor of
presentation, its comprehensiveness, the insight it provides into this serious historic subject-matter, it’s breaking down of myths created
on emotions and the strength of historicism manifest in the package

2. I therefore have no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending the book for wide readership for boldly and painstakingly exploring,
dissecting and analyzing an issue that had, in the past, generated unnecessary controversy in Yoruba land. It is a masterpiece on
Yoruba history it has created a platform on which future writes can build.
Acknowledgement
This book is written with deep humility and respect for the Great Historian, and people of the pen: Professors, Sabiri
Biobaku, J F. Ade-Ajayi, Jide Osuntokun, Adeagbo Akinjogbin, Wande Abimbola, Bolale Awe, Wole Soyinka, S O Arifalo,
Ayodele Olukoju, J A Atanda, B Sofela, Gabriel O Olusanya, G O Oguntomisin, E A Ayandele, Tekena Tamuno, A E Afigbo,
Obaro Ikime, Adewoye o, Bo Oloruntimehin, Sola Sowande, Leo Frobenius who visited Ile-Ife in 1910, and Michael
Crowder. I also appreciate the works of Professor Richard Olaniyan, Wale Adediran, Olupayimo Dolapo, J K Olupona,
Kunle Lawal, Funso Afolayan, Z O Apata, Dr. (Mrs) Ike Fayomi, and Raphael A Alabi.
Indeed I acknowledge these men of honor, Bade Adejuwon, Dayo Omotoso, and RO A Makanjuola.
My thanks go to all the traditional chiefs of Ile-Ife lead by the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Omisakin. Including the Isoro chief of
Ile-Ife led by Chief Obadio. Also I deeply appreciate the effort of Baba Ola Vincent, CFR, FCIB, for his elderly advice.
My appreciation goes to the following Chief GOK Ajayi, the Odole of Ife, Chief Bola Akinyele, Chief Afolabi Oloja, Prince
Aderounmu Adesoji Aderemi, Chief Fatunmise, Chief Gbenga Omiwole of Ife Development Board, Dr Fredrick Fasheun
and Otunba Gani Adams
The idea of writing a book of this nature has been with me for a long time. The books of Chief (Dr) M A Fabunmi (Odole
Atobase of Ife), Dr Bolaji Idowu, J A Ademakinwa Adewale Thompson inspired me so much to write this book.
I am particularly indebted to them. At this junction I have to remember the legendry Yoruba leader Chief Obafemi
Awolowo a sound academician who combined administrative prowess with superior intellectual capabilities to turn
around the fortunes of the Old west. I pay tribute to the following leaders, Bola Ige, Adekunle Ajasin, l K Jakande, Bisi
Onabanjo, Prof. Ambrose Alli, Senator Jonathan Odebiyi, and Prof Hezekiah Oluwasanmi.
I also appreciate these people of culture Professor Ulli Beier and his former wife Suzanne Wenger, (Adunni Olorisa of
Osun fame now under the protection of Nigerian Government and UNESCO); Tobosun Oladapo, Adebayo Faleti and Mrs
Funke Ogunsipe. Furthermore I like to acknowledge the contribution of the following to the study of the Yoruba history:
Olu Ademulegun, Mike Omoleye, (Chief) Hon S B Daramola, Chief (Mrs) Felicia Oseyemi Awosika, Mr. Femi Ogunleye,
and Mr. Bayo Oguntuase, who read the manuscript of this book and offered useful advice. I also thank Engineer
Lawrence Oladele Oluwatosin for his immense contribution to the complet ion of this book. My appreciation to the
Asiwaju of Ife, Chief Orayemi Orafidiya
The book is: SOCIAL FACTS’ or COLLECTIVE MANIFESTATION’ about the Yoruba. In order to understand the basic
principles on which human society functions, we must know something about the institutions of the society. Human
beings in order to live normal lives in a reasonable peace must behave in prescribed ways. These ways of behaving are
acquired during the period of socialization and education and through experience. They are so institutionalized that they
have become part of our social system. This generation is under attack than any other previous generation from the
inside and outside by the Yoruba adversaries in order to create disorder by manipulating the corollary position of Yoruba
history, because this generation lacks the fundamental accounts of Information about their origin and the political
evolution before, during and after the arrival of the colonial masters.

3. Book-Launch: ILE-IFE: THE SOURCE OF YORUBA CIVILIZATION.
Guest of Honour:
The Royal Majesty Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade
(Olubuse ll), Ooni of Ife, D, Litt. DCJ, CFR
Venue: USA
Date: 2014
If you have questions relating to the book launch in USA,
Enquiries on Author and Publisher
Prince Adelegan Adegbola, fcpa
President and Founder of Oduduwa Cultural Foundation (OCF)
princeadelegan@oduduwaculturalfoundation.org
08035122373, 07052010066, 07042434418
www.oduduwaculturalfoundation.org
For Sponsorship Enquiries
Write to Nigerian-American Chamber Of Commerce
Capwire/Washaman Building, 19A, Sinari Daranijo Street, Off Ajose Adeogun Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos:
Trade Expo Consultant & Private Social Media Network Provider
08035172971, 08026523324, 08096813040
naccexpo@ultimatekonsultgroup.com, kpo@ultimatekonsultgroup.com
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