Yoruba
community in The Gambia have recently held a cleaning exercise along the
Churchills Town-Tallinding road as part of their community service in
preparation for their 15th annual “Oodua” celebrations.
Oodua,
who has a son called Okanbi, had seven other children. It is believed that
his descendants embodied the entire
race called Yoruba. Ile’Ya Oodua is a
festival geared towards bringing back home all descendants of the Yoruba race
to celebrate and pray for all Yoruba descendants and well-wishers.
According
to the former president and elder of the Yoruba community in the Gambia Tobi S.
Adeyile, the celebration is marked by giving back to the host country.
“Last
year, we gave about forty scholarships to primary school children and also gave
support to the Banjulinding Horticultural Women’s Centre and this year’s
package is giving back to the community.”
The
Oodoua celebrations this year is slated for 15th December 2019 and is expected
to be grace by Gambia’s vice president and the First Lady, as well as guests
from Nigeria.
