LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federal Government of Nigeria has been urged by Afro Brazilians to reconnect them to their ancestry by granting them Nigerian citizenship.
To celebrate this year’s Black Consciousness Month, a cultural, economic and religious integration platform based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, The African Pride (TAP), held a summit that was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa and the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Biodun Ajiboye.
During the summit, the Afro-Brazilians whose ancestors were taken from Oyo and Ife and forced into slavery half a millennium ago stated their need to both representatives of the country, for regular meetup of Nigerians residing in Brazil at their ancestral home.
While they spoke out on their lack of cultural identity, saying all they held on to was their spirituality, they called to return to the Yoruba land which was home to their fathers.
According to Brazil-based spiritual leader and sociologist, Flavia Da Silva Pinto, (a woman recognized for fighting against religious intolerance of African origin) she said:
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“We are glad we have a Yoruba president which is important to us in Brazil. Most people were kidnapped and brought here as slaves. So, we appreciate the work you are doing, especially efforts to organise World Orisa Congress aimed at giving Yoruba centric, a basis for collective spiritual community and commonality.”
Also, the Co-founder of TAP, Carolina Morais, acknowledged the importance of the presence of the Minister and Executive Secretary saying it showed the need to boost and promote partnership between Brazil and Nigeria.
She also expressed the desire of the people to not just reconnect with their ancestral home but with Africa, mentioning that through this visits they will understand it’s symbols as well as it’s meaning.
The Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Biodun Ajiboye, assured them of the present government’s commitment to reunite them with their roots.
“I stand before you, on behalf of my President, Bola Tinubu and my Minister, Hannatu Musawa and I greet you all in the name of Olodumare. I can tell you that for the four days I have been here, you have told me enough about your emotional demands and request”.
He promised to relay their requests and assured them of progress.
THE NATION
