The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has posited that there is documented evidence that shows the Igbo race migrated from Ile-Ife in Osun State.
The monarch stated this while challenging Nigerian academics to properly document the history of the Yoruba race, rather than relying on biased history.
According to him, proper documentation will reveal the ties between ethnic groups, providing evidence that the Igbo race migrated from Ile-Ife.
The Ooni, while speaking with journalists, noted that there is an Ile-Igbo in the palace, which was not recently created but has existed there for decades.
“For these and many other reasons, I believe that we need proper documentation of our history. We are not involving the government in this project so that we can put all the facts together. We must write our history properly and present things in the correct manner for future generations,” Ooni stated.
Reacting to this, an anonymous person revealed many correlations between Yoruba and Igbo language and culture.
He said, “Ndi Yoruba and Ndi Igbo have too much and too many things in common. For example: ifa/afa, omi/mmiri, enu/onu, ogede/ogede, apo/apa, akwati/akpati, eran/anu, ewure/ewu, okuta/okute, ologbo/ologbo, and many more.
This confirms Wikipedia’s finding that the Igboid languages form a cluster within the Volta-Niger phylum, most likely grouped with Yoruboid (Yoruba) and Edoid (Edo).
Apart from this, during a cultural tour to the ancient town, our reporter learned from the custodian of Moremi history in Ile-Ife. Arole Moremi (Moreni custodian), Owayekere of Ile-Ife, Obas Isoro Sunday Oluwagbemileke Ogunsanya revealed how the legendary woman, Moremi, saved Ife people from Ilaje Odo people from Ondo State.
It was gathered that Ilajes left Ile Ife, their original ancestral home in the 10th century and migrated southwards towards the littoral coastline of southeastern Yorubaland. Today, they occupy the entire Atlantic shoreline of Ondo State, Nigeria, with a significant proportion of the Ilaje populace also settled on lands in the interior behind the coast such as Igbokoda.
It can be deduced from Arole Moremi that Moremi’s history gives an expose on the fact that the Igbo race migrated from Ile-Ife.
While narrating Moremi’s history, the custodian gave insight on how Moremi saved Ile-Ife people from the grip of Ilaje Odo people who are aboriginally known as Igbo people in Ile-Ife.”
The revelations made by the Ooni of Ife and the anonymous person further strengthen the argument that the Igbo race has historical ties to Ile-Ife. The shared similarities in language and culture between the Yoruba and Igbo people provide strong evidence of a common origin. The linguistic connections between both ethnic groups, such as the similarity in words for water (omi/mmiri) and stone (okuta/okute), suggest a shared heritage that dates back centuries.
Furthermore, the account of Moremi’s history adds another layer to the narrative of the Igbo migration from Ile-Ife. Moremi, a legendary figure revered in Yoruba mythology, played a crucial role in protecting the people of Ile-Ife from the Ilaje Odo people. Notably, it is revealed that the Ilaje Odo people were originally known as the Igbo people in Ile-Ife before they migrated to the coastal areas of Ondo State. This historical event serves as a substantial indication of the migration of the Igbo race from Ile-Ife.
The need for proper documentation of history, as emphasized by the Ooni, is crucial in unraveling the mysteries and intricacies of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. By accurately recording historical facts, future generations will have access to a comprehensive understanding of their heritage. The involvement of Nigerian academics in this endeavor will ensure unbiased and thorough research, shedding light on the interconnectedness of ethnic groups within the country.
As the discussions surrounding the migration of the Igbo race from Ile-Ife continue, it is essential to approach the topic with an open mind and a commitment to seeking the truth. By examining multiple sources, linguistic connections, and historical accounts, a clearer picture of the historical ties between the Yoruba and Igbo people can be attained. Ultimately, the quest for knowledge and understanding of our shared past will foster unity and appreciation for the rich cultural diversity that exists in Nigeria.
