Ooni names NBA star Jaylen Brown ‘Babatunde’

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Monday hosted American basketball star Jaylen Brown and bestowed on him the traditional Yoruba name, “Babatunde”.

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Brown, a player for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA), arrived at the palace and was received by the Ooni.

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The royal father was accompanied by other traditional rulers and palace officials during the basketball star’s visit to the historic city.

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In a statement by his Senior Media Officer, Sodiq Lawal, Ogunwusi explained that Babatunde meant “the father has returned” or “ancestor has returned”.

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The Ooni described the name as Brown’s ancestral identity, formally connecting the basketball star with his Yoruba heritage and ancestral roots.

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He told Brown: “This is to certify that you have been officially issued Babatunde as your traditional and ancestral name.

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“Henceforth, you shall be known as Babatunde Jaylen Brown.”

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Ogunwusi expressed confidence that the ancestral name would bring Brown good fortune and strengthen his connection with Yoruba heritage.

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The traditional ruler highlighted Ile-Ife’s rich historical and spiritual significance as the centre of Yoruba civilisation and ancestral heritage.

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He said slavery and forced migration had separated families and communities that shared common ancestral origins across Africa and the diaspora.

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The Ooni urged people of African descent, particularly those living in the diaspora, to reconnect with their ancestral roots.

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He said Brown’s visit provided an opportunity to reconnect with his heritage and learn from generations of preserved ancestral history.

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According to him, the palace has preserved generations of ancestral history, royal lineage, cultural traditions and other aspects of Yoruba heritage.

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Ogunwusi encouraged Africans worldwide to visit Ile-Ife and other locations connected to their ancestry to deepen their understanding of history.

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He said such visits would promote greater appreciation of African culture, identity and heritage among people across the world.

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Responding, Brown expressed appreciation to the Ooni for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him during his visit.

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The NBA star said the experience enabled him to learn more about his heritage and encouraged people to visit their ancestral roots.

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(NAN)

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