The History of Oduduwa anthem

This Song was written by Pa Obafemi Awolowo for Afenifere- UPN around 1980 or so.

It was composed by Pa Hubert Ogunde. It has for ever, been recited and sang at the beginning of any Afenifere meetings. I also realised that Yoruba Tennis Club adopted it as their anthem too.

Credit is given to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who adopted it for Oshun state thereby making it available for wider Yoruba audience.

Ondo state under our late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu also adopted it. All Yoruba States are being awaited to follow suit. I love walking tall when I remember the last stanza which says " Rise up oh you children of Oduduwa,

Take your rightfull place,

You are the glory of the Black race"

I have had the privileged of leading the Anthem at any Afenifere occasion for about 10yrs after the sickness and eventual death of Alhaji Omonitoju of Lagos state Afenifere. 

I get so emotionally deep in the Anthem when I watched the body language and countenance of some of our late leaders especially baba Solanke Onasanya, sir Olanihun Ajayi, Alhaji Ganiyu Olawale Dawodu, the genoflecting of hands by the current leader Pa RF Fasoranti and his deep thought when singing the Anthem.

 Prof Bolaji Akinyemi has sent emissary to Gov Seyi Makinde about the need for Oyo state being our politcal capital to also adopt the Anthem, not aware the message was delivered to the governor .

The last stanza reminds us of our leadership, not only in Nigeria but in the entire black world. I believe we are the leader. Pa Obafemi Awolowo demostrated it as Premier of Western Region. 

We have the golden opportunity now that an Oduduwa son leads Nigeria. We must remind ourselves that, there is no opposition in a Presidential democracy, you either help or cooperate with the winner to succed or profer constructive criticisms. Hate abuse or pull him down will no thelp.

Omo Odua dide, bo sipo eto re.

Credit to Afenifere for giving Yoruba a sence of identity.

Abagun Kole Omololu.

 National Organising secretary Afenifere