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Reveals A Lot About His Life
Chief Amb. Olatunji Aresa is a prominent Ifa Priest in the Apata area of Ibadan. He is the one people are talking about right now. He is a man of the moment. He’s a man who has taken IFA worship and practice to another level. He has done well in his choosing career. He has changed the narrative of Ifa practice, hence many people find him trust worthy and rush to him for consultation on a daily basis. They are talking good of him. No wonder he’s so popular in Ibadan.
If you go to his house in Ile Aresa, Agbala IFA in Apata, you will marvel, over the decent ways he operates. Hardly will you even know that Mogaji is a Babalawo. He is a calm man and very soft spoken.
Over 20 white people from the diaspora came to spend quality time there to learn IFA. And he is not just doing it. Many white people have drank from the pot of his knowledge. Few days ago, Ile Aresa as his place is fondly called was filled to the brim, as many stormed the compound to celebrate the annual Ifa festival in grand style.
The event started on Monday 11th of December 2023, with the appeasing of the gods (Ifa and Obatala) and the worshippers returning their gratitude to the gods for keeping them safe and alive in good health and wealth. Some of the noticeable items used to appease the gods include cows, goats, dried catfish, yams among other items.
The next day, Tuesday 12th December was a day for merriment. Traditional drums and song were used to entertain the guests. Some Sango worshippers even came for performance on stage which thrilled the guests especially the omo Ifa from the diaspora who came all the way from Luisiana, United States to celebrate the Ifa Aresa. Food and drinks were excessively served.
It is also important to know that Mogaji Aresa, is also a Peace Ambassador of the United Nations. As we speak, the flag of Nigeria, United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany and China are in his compound which connotes the appointment of Chief Amb. Olatunji Aresa and his wife Chief Ifaseyi Olatunji Aresa as International Eminent Peace Ambassadors.
In this Exclusive Interview with City People Tv Head, SUNDAY ADIGUN, he reveals how he left corporate work for Ifa practice. He also talked about why many people prefer to learn about Ifa practice from him. Pls enjoy the conversation.
What is the significance of Ifa?
You cannot know the significance of Ifa without knowing what Ifa is. IFA is yoruba worldview, as jewish is called the Jews, so IFA is to the yorubas, IFA is the message of Oludumare- the almighty, you know to human beings, so IFA as a message is as important as the messenger, is as important as the one who sent it which is Oludumare. So when we talk about the significance of IFA it is only with IFA you are named-You are given a name in yoruba land. Ifa gives the name through Esentaye, IFA tells what you will be, your mission in this mother earth. So IFA says the type of occupation that you should be engaged in, IFA makes people and chooses the king, and also blesses cities and countries.
Why is it necessary to appease Ifa?
Because there is a concept in yoruba land which is balance character (Iwa Pele), we always talk about Omoluwabi, without Iwa Pele there would not be Omoluwabi, so with balance character then there is peace, what all the religion of the world are preaching is nothing but peace. Because human beings are political animals, you may remove the political, but human beings are political animals, politics start from the home. When we talk about peace, we talk about peace from the home, peace even within yourself. You don’t have to run after the unnecessary. You have to be who you are, you have to know eledumare. You have to know what is good for you, and what is not good for you, be it diet, dressing, eating, color, hence the importance of IFA. IFA advises and dictates all these. IFA tells the relationship between human beings and non human beings, between human beings and Orisa, between human beings and Oludumare. What are we looking for? peace.
Sir, you are one of the prominent traditionalist in this town, how long has it been, can you share a little of how it all started?
This started before I was born, Ogueno, was a babalawo and a hunter, then passed to …my immediate father who was not favourably disposed to Ifa worship and practice, however, the call came to me, so right from baby I could remember that after my high school, it was the tradition and culture of our people that was on my mind because I cherish the tradition of our ancestors so much.
It is not just within the city, because as at 2002, I was the financial secretary of the international council for. Ifa religion, you know that is a global organization. The then president was late professor Idowu Bolafedemi Ideyemi of Futa, and two years later, I became the secretary general. I served in that capacity for 15 years so it is not a day journey, I have been serving IFA, and IFA has been very helpful.
Looking at your journey in life, what has life taught you?
Life has taught me so many lessons!! Because by education I am an accountant, but as time went by I continued to hear the call that I should go back to the tradition of my forefathers. I practiced accounting, I did real estate, I did training, but you see until I stood with IFA, then all started going well and is still going well, Moving forward.
Your own ways of practising your religion is quite different. White people; people in the diaspora come to you for consultations, learning Ifa, what really informs that?
Okay, maybe my educational background.
You know, I’m a graduate of great Ife, as an accountant, then haven gone to the first university in Nigeria, University of Ibadan, where I did my MBA, business administration. I belong to many professional bodies in accounting, forensic accounting, even in teaching, so I belong to professional organizations and as the head of my family lineage, I will say exposure, education form this things and looking at my relationship with the people in the diaspora, honesty is also part of the success story, because if you are not honest with them, they will come once and won’t come back again, but once you are honest in your dealings with them, some people don’t even like that honesty, but once you are honest, that honesty will continue to push you to greater heights and my journey with iyalode as well, my partnership with her has also helped and I thank eledumare that she has the kind of vision that I also have.
