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By Joshua Olomu
The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has applauded Brazil for its inventive presentation of Yoruba tradition in the course of the simply concluded 2025 Rio de Janeiro Carnival.
Chief Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the institute, gave the commendation in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reviews that the 2025 Rio Carnival was held from Feb. 28 to March 8, on the Sambadrome, with no fewer than eight million vacationers in attendance.
According to the chief secretary, Brazil’s dedication to selling Nigerian tradition was evident within the pulsating sounds of Orisa chants and Yoruba-inspired themes in the course of the carnival.
He stated the showcase didn’t solely captivate tens of millions of individuals, but additionally bolstered the deep rooted historic and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
“We are impressed by what our Brazilian brothers and sisters are doing because the Orisa custom originates from Nigeria; all Orisas have their base right here.
“It is heart-warming to see that regardless of being taken forcefully as slaves, our ancestors stored the flames alive, and their descendants continued to protect and rejoice it with such grandeur.
“You have shown that you are truly the children of kings and queens; you are not bastards but true heirs of our heritage,” he stated.
Ajiboye counseled Brazil for its dedication to spiritual equality and cultural inclusivity.
He stated: “Your efforts in preserving and elevating Yoruba traditions function an inspiration to the world.
“Together, we will continue to build bridges of cultural understanding and mutual respect.”
He stated that the Federal Government was able to deepen collaborations between the 2 nations.
He stated to offer backing to this, authorities was planning high-level cultural conferences each in Nigeria and Brazil designed to strengthen historic ties, foster travel, and promote spiritual concord.
According to him, NICO was spearheading plans for the World Orisa Congress, a landmark occasion designed to welcome Orisa devotees from all over the world to Nigeria yearly.
He added that the gatherings would offer house for students, cultural lovers, and authorities representatives to debate sustainable methods for cultural preservation and world engagement.
“The Orisa non secular system is a worldwide drive with an estimated 450 million adherents worldwide, and Nigeria seeks to place itself because the epicentre of its convergence—akin to Mecca and Jerusalem.
“The Orisa tradition, which originated in South-West Nigeria, deserves a major pilgrimage effect,” he stated.
He stated NICO was engaged on a platform that may convey collectively devotees from Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela, the United States, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Argentina, Europe, and the UK.
The govt secretary additionally counseled the Brazilian authorities’s progressive stance on spiritual tolerance and its unwavering help for cultural range.
He expressed hope that by means of continued engagements, Nigeria and Brazil may forge new pathways for collaboration, making certain that the wealthy Yoruba heritage continued to thrive throughout continents.
NAN reviews that the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, which dates again to 1723, is an annual competition, which holds earlier than Lent in Brazil.
It is taken into account the most important carnival on the planet, with a median of two million folks per day on the streets, showcasing revellers, floats, and adornments from quite a few samba colleges.
A samba faculty consists of a collaboration of native neighbours that wish to attend the carnival collectively, with some type of regional, geographical and customary background. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Joe Idika