By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Monday hosted American basketball star Jaylen Brown at his palace in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State.
During the visit, the revered monarch officially bestowed upon the Boston Celtics player the traditional Yoruba name, “Babatunde”.
Brown, a prominent NBA player in the United States, arrived at the palace where he was warmly received by the royal father, alongside other traditional rulers and palace officials.
In a statement issued by his Senior Media Officer, Sodiq Lawal, Oba Ogunwusi explained that the name Babatunde translates to “the father has returned” or “ancestor has returned”.
The monarch described the name as Brown’s true ancestral identity, formally reconnecting the basketball star with his Yoruba heritage and ancestral roots.
While presenting the certification to the NBA star, the Ooni said, “This is to certify that you have been officially issued Babatunde as your traditional and ancestral name.
“Henceforth, you shall be known as Babatunde Jaylen Brown.”
Oba Ogunwusi expressed strong confidence that the ancestral name would bring the basketball star good fortune and deepen his connection to Yoruba culture.
He highlighted the historical and spiritual importance of Ile-Ife, describing the ancient town as the cradle and centre of Yoruba civilisation and ancestral heritage.
Reflecting on history, the monarch noted that slavery and forced migration had previously separated families and communities that shared common ancestral origins across Africa and the diaspora.
He urged Africans in the diaspora to make conscious efforts to reconnect with their roots, stressing that Brown’s visit provided an avenue to reconnect with heritage and learn from centuries of preserved ancestral history.
According to Oba Ogunwusi, the palace continues to preserve generations of ancestral history, royal lineage, cultural traditions, and various aspects of Yoruba heritage.
He further encouraged Africans worldwide to visit Ile-Ife and other historical sites tied to their ancestry to deepen their historical understanding, adding that such journeys promote a greater appreciation of African identity and culture globally.
Responding to the royal reception, Brown expressed deep gratitude to the Ooni for the warm hospitality extended to him and his entourage during the visit.
The basketball star noted that the experience allowed him to learn more about his heritage, while encouraging other people of African descent to visit their ancestral home.
