The spiritual and cultural bridge between Brazil and Yorùbáland was reinforced on June 16, 2025, as Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, received a delegation of Brazilian Ifá adherents in Ado-Ekiti
The delegation, from Ijo Ifá Ogbe Oweyin Asíko Laye Templo in Brazil, is on a pre-tour visit to Ekiti in preparation for a major cultural and spiritual expedition planned for September. Members of the delegation included George Drives (Ifakunle), Reginald (Ifatola), Wale Orotoye, and Champion. The visit aimed to foster cultural exchange and initiate strategic planning for the upcoming pilgrimage.
“Ekiti is not just the land of honour—it is the spiritual womb of the Yoruba civilization. The sacred groves, shrines, and ancestral paths here are not only heritage sites; they are living testimonies of our connection to the divine. As we welcome pilgrims and cultural seekers from Brazil, the Caribbean, the U.S., and beyond, we are not just opening our borders—we are opening our hearts, our history, and our economic potential. Spiritual tourism is not just a journey of faith; it is a bridge between cultures and a pathway to sustainable development for Ekiti and for Nigeria.” – Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director General, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development
Ambassador Ojo-Lanre, speaking on behalf of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, warmly received the guests and emphasized the deep ancestral roots of Yoruba spirituality in Ekiti. He noted that the state is not only the cradle of revered Òrìṣà such as Ọ̀ṣun, Ògún, Ifá, and Èṣù, but also home to numerous sacred groves, shrines, festivals, and oral traditions that have attracted global interest.
He further highlighted that Ekiti is increasingly positioning itself as a leading destination for cultural and spiritual tourism in Nigeria. “Tourism is no longer just leisure—it is culture, economy, and identity,” the Ambassador stated. “Ekiti has the potential to become a powerful spiritual tourism destination capable of generating substantial revenue—not only for the state but also for Nigeria as a whole.”
The Director General referenced the state’s recent infrastructural developments, the documentation of heritage sites, and the growing partnerships with the African diaspora as key steps in transforming Ekiti into a center of cultural diplomacy and economic opportunity. “Each visitor who steps into Ekiti contributes not only to cultural understanding but to job creation, local enterprise, and sustainable development,” he added.
Speaking during the visit, George Drives (Ifakunle), a spiritual leader of the Brazilian temple, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and deep cultural resonance he felt upon arriving in Ekiti. He noted that the upcoming September journey would bring a larger delegation of Brazilian worshippers, researchers, and cultural practitioners, eager to reconnect with their ancestral roots.
To support the visitors, Ambassador Ojo-Lanre gave an overview of key tourism sites across Ekiti using a detailed map. He also assigned Mr. Michael Peculiar Ekiran, the Bureau’s Special Assistant on Tourism, to accompany the group on a guided visit to the sacred Ògún Grove in Ire-Ekiti—a revered site of Yoruba metallurgy and warrior worship.
The visit ended with a symbolic group photograph, capturing a moment of unity, respect, and reconnection between continents. It signaled not only a celebration of heritage but also Ekiti’s emergence on the map as a beacon of spiritual tourism and cultural diplomacy.
Ekiti State, nestled in the heart of Yorùbáland, is fast becoming a spiritual and cultural tourism hub in Nigeria. Known as the ancestral home of many revered Òrìṣà such as Èṣù, Òṣun, Ògún, and Ifá, the state is attracting growing numbers of devotees and cultural pilgrims from across the African diaspora , including Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago, the United States, and Cuba.
Adherents of Ifá and Òrìṣà spirituality have begun to visit Ekiti as a sacred homeland, embarking on pilgrimages to spiritually significant sites such as the Ogun Grove in Ire-Ekiti, the Òṣun springs, ancient shrines, and the native homes of Ifá priests and priestesses. These visits are not only spiritual journeys but also cultural reconnections, affirming identity and ancestral memory.
