The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, on Monday evening, 8th June, 2026 received renowned Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Lateef Adedimeji, alongside members of his production crew.
The Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, in a statement
said the visit was part of efforts by the award-winning actor to seek royal blessings and support for his upcoming historical film project on the Ekiti-Parapo War, popularly known as the Kiriji War, one of the most significant conflicts in Yoruba history.
Speaking during the visit, Adedimeji said his passion for storytelling is driven by a desire to preserve and project authentic African history, culture and values for future generations.
According to him, African filmmakers must take deliberate steps to tell original stories that reflect the continent’s rich heritage rather than relying heavily on foreign narratives.
“I have come to seek the royal blessings and support of His Imperial Majesty for our project on the Ekiti-Parapo War. Our goal is to continue telling authentic African stories that reflect our history, our identity and our values as a people.
“Africa is blessed with countless stories capable of captivating the world. We must continue to document and showcase them through film. If we remain committed to producing quality content, there is no reason we cannot build world-class platforms of our own. We can have our own Netflix and other global content distribution channels that project African excellence to the world,” he said.
The actor further noted that historical films serve as important tools for educating younger generations about their roots while also preserving cultural heritage.
Responding, the Ooni commended Adedimeji for his commitment to promoting African and Yoruba history through film and other creative works.
The revered monarch emphasized that the Yoruba race possesses thousands of untold stories capable of enriching global knowledge and inspiring future generations.
“We have a lot of stories to tell. Yoruba history alone contains thousands of beautiful stories waiting to be documented and shared with the world. There are stories behind our traditions, our mode of dressing, our civilization, our innovations and the various cultural practices that define us as a people.
“These stories are not only important to us; they are important to humanity. We must continue to preserve and promote them through literature, film, arts and other creative platforms,” the Ooni said.
Ooni Ogunwusi urged the actor and other stakeholders in the creative industry to remain focused on producing movies that promote Yoruba culture, history and values, stressing that cultural storytelling remains one of the most effective means of preserving identity and strengthening societal values.
The Ooni assured Adedimeji of his support and encouraged him to continue using his platform to project positive narratives about Africa to the global audience.
The Ooni also used the occasion to congratulate the actor and his wife, popular Nollywood actress Adebimpe Oyebade, on the arrival of their newborn triplets.
He described the birth as a special blessing from God and prayed for the children’s good health, wisdom, long life and prosperity.
The Ooni further offered prayers for the couple’s family and success for the film project, expressing confidence that the production would contribute significantly to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba history and cultural heritage.