Ifa: Orisa Museum of Virtual Art

"We bled Africa for four and a half centuries. Then we plundered its raw materials. Afterwards, we said: they are good for nothing..."

-Jacques Chirac, former President of France

RARE TRUTH FROM POWER

In 2007, Jacques Chirac spoke what few Western leaders dare acknowledge: the systematic extraction that drained Africa across slavery, colonialism, and "independence."

Four and a half centuries of bleeding. Then resource plunder.
Then the final insult: "they are good for nothing."

Yet through it all, through the Middle Passage, through partition, through extraction, Ifá remained. Ọ̀rúnmìlà remained. The Ọ̀rìṣà remained.

Our ancestors carried sacred knowledge in their bodies when everything else was taken. They rebuilt altars in new lands. They preserved divination systems, liturgies, cosmologies.

What they could not plunder was our spiritual inheritance.

Today, as Chirac's admission circulates again, remember: empires rise and fall. Systems of extraction collapse. But the wisdom of Ifá, the force of the Ọ̀rìṣà transcends the greed of nations.

They bled us. They plundered us. They dismissed us. But Olódùmarè's truth cannot be stolen.

Image: Jacques Chirac, former President of France (1995-2007)

LAGOS ẸYỌ FESTIVAL 2025 | DECEMBER 27

The Ọba of Lagos, Ọba Rilwan Akiolu, has announced that the historic Ẹyọ Festival will hold on December 27, 2025 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos Island.

This year's Ẹyọ honours three departed Lagos leaders:

Alhaji Lateef Jakande (former Governor)
Sir Michael Ọtẹdọla (former Governor)
Alhaja Abibatu Mọgaji (Iya Lọja of Lagos)

The monarch described them as pillars of Lagos history, remembered for their contributions to governance and community development.

"This year's Ẹyọ is not just a cultural display, but a remembrance, a mark of respect for great individuals who left their imprint on Lagos," Ọba Akiolu said.

"It is not an avenue to make money. Ẹyọ is our heritage—sacred, historic, dignified—and we must treat it as such."

The Ẹyọ Festival, last held in 2017, remains one of Nigeria's most recognizable traditional events. The white-clad masquerades, chants, dance, and cultural symbolism represent a living connection to Yoruba heritage and the ancestral traditions of Lagos.

Venue: Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos Island
Date: December 27, 2025

This edition is expected to draw local and international participation.

Ọgbọ́ ló ní kí n'gbọ́; Ìmọ̀ ló ní ki n'mọ̀.
Ewé olú-yenye ló ní kó yé mi-Bí àṣírí ò mẹ̀bí, ará Ilode; T'Èṣù Ọ̀dọ̀rà ló ṣòro!

In Yoruba lexicon and philosophy;
Èṣù is an Òrìṣà of peace,
Èṣù is an Òrìṣà of harmony,
Èṣù is the defender of truth,
Èṣù is the strength of the weak,
Èṣù is the protector of the defenseless—the unprotected,
Èṣù is the avenger for evil,
Èṣù is the "Road" opener
Èṣù is the "Road" blocker against the wicked,
Èṣù is a trusted ally of Orunmila!
Èṣù is a reliable friend of all the Òrìṣà!
Èṣù is a trusted friend of the honest -
Èṣù is a non-compromiser; therefore, he cannot be
bribed or bought
Èṣù is not malicious; therefore, he does not take sides.

In Yoruba philosophy, Èṣù maintains the delicate balance of good and bad, just and unjust.

Èṣù, the simple and an unassuming Orisa, according to Ifa, is the unrivaled weapon of choice of the Òrìṣà. In essence, having Èṣù in one's corner means having the support and blessings of the rest of the Òrìṣà in one's corner, as well.

In addition, this phenomenon energy known as Èṣù, is
spiritually recommended as a trusted confidant when confidence is desired.

The spiritual recommendation is from a verse of an Odù Ifá, which states in part:

"Ènìyàn wọ́n, Ènìyàn ṣòro; Kò sí ènìyàn mó, Mo bá Èṣù múlẹ̀, ati bẹ́ẹ̀ bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ ....."

Translated thus -
Trustworthy people are rare!
Be careful, people can be malicious-
Because of the void of trustworthiness in people,
I made a covenant with Èṣù (Èṣù and I became trusted
allies)….!

Good day, good people. As you go about your tasks today, and as you make decisions and take actions, may your endeavors be fruitful.

May Èṣù always work with you and never against you. Àṣẹ o!

As the Yoruba battles all forms of intrigues from within, betrayal, different interests from within and without, all battling for the soul of the Yoruba, Please, pray for unity and peace in our Land and for the hatred of each other to be replaced with love, and for triumph to prevail over obstacles.....!

Èṣù ò ní ṣe wá o; Àṣẹ Èdùmàrè!

This message is from a foremost Babaláwo, who asked that it should be delivered...

WORDS: *Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo*
IMAGE: Esu by Felipe Carini

Join Igbale Olakiitan Enimakure, Tokoin Gbadago, Lomé
For their Annual Egungun Festival