By Jimoh babatunde

The travel and tourism industry _ the golden child of global economic sectors _ has been credited for many things. Employment. Earnings. Investment. Trade. Identity. Environmental sensitivity. Economic empowerment. And social unity.

Oodua cultural troupe performing during the Ifa festival held in Lagos last week

The attraction of travelers from across the globe to one’s home nation has proven a powerful force for global diplomacy, strengthening understanding of cultures, ideologies, and attitudes.

Even in the travel and tourism sector, the old adage remains true: there is no problem we cannot solve if we look within.

The economic crisis of 2008_2010 had a dramatic, negative impact on the tourism sector. International travel suffered steep declines, within both the business and leisure segments. Increases in job losses, credit restrictions, fuel prices, and budget cuts resulted in severe decreases in travel activity. Especially long_haul travel.

Still, with daily pressures mounting, the need to get away only grew stronger. Holiday seekers not willing to forfeit much_needed breaks altogether looked for alternatives. Before long the “staycation” became an acceptable form of holidaying. Staying within one’s own country for a holiday, exploring one’s own backyard became highly acceptable, fashionable, affordable, and applaudable.

Taking a holiday without a passport put smiles back on travelers’ tired faces and salaries back into travel industry employees’ pockets.

It is base on this notion of looking inward and promoting domestic tourism that the Olokun Festival Foundation under the aegis of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) brought together millions recently in Lagos for the celebration of Ifa festival.

For many Nigerians the name Ifa connotes occultism, but in Yoruba land, Ifa divinity occupies a central part of the people’s existence.

Among the Yorubas, the adherents of Ifa still regal in the might, mysticism and acceptance that they claim lie in the fact that it is regarded as an ‘all_Knowing deity.

The adherents also believe that Ifa has the power to unravel any mystery under the earth when consulted on virtually all matters and its accuracy in interpreting issues and proffering solutions where necessary are its unique attributes that attract more devotees.

All these are today being questioned by followers of the new faiths as Ifa followers are seen as devils and evils which has led many Nigerians to abandon the worshiping of Ifa.

Speaking during the festival which had in attendance many foreigners, Otunba Gani Adams, the leader of the OPC said the Ifa festival is one of the numerous cultural festivals packaged and celebrated annually by the organization.

He added that this is one of the festivals packaged annually by the Olokun festival foundation to boost and buoy domestic tourism in the country .

“As an organization saddled with the task of restoring our traditional values, Oodua People’s Congress has been at the frontline of promoting and propagating African values and showcasing African contributions to world civilization.”

Otunba Gani Adams noted that criticism against traditional system has been the major causes of instability in societies especially in Africa “where western culture has taken a centre stage in virtually all aspects of the social structure.”

He added “this has resulted in the neglect of communal lifestyles and social welfare through which the basic needs of the people were granted.”

While explaining that African cultural heritage needs to be rediscovered and promoted, Adams said Ifa, apart from being the Yoruba’s traditional religion, is of immense importance as a source of historical rebirth.

“Ifa is universally regarded as the oracle of divinity and one of the principal deities of the Yoruba race. Ifa descended from heaven into the earth in company of other deities.”

In a paper on ‘Our Happiness Can Be Found On the Road Of Ifa’, Ekundayo Ifamuregun, said there is huge Ifa movement in the Diaspora which is knocking on the door of Nigeria and Yorubaland for direction.

The festival was garnished with cultural performances by members of the OPC from all over the Yoruba race as well as the Oodua band.