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It is no longer news that Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina was nominated for the World Food Prize at Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines, on the 19th October 2017. A prize that competes with the Nobel Prize as it had over 800 people from over 50 countries. What isn’t quite popular is the beautiful rendition of Adunni and Nefertiti, Nigerian traditional performers alongside Dr. Adesina’s favorite singer Omawumi. The performance by Adunni and Nefertiti had the former president of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina dancing to the beats. Yoruba indigenous music was exported and beautifully delivered. Motunrayo Abiodun Orobiyi, a graduate of Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos popularly called Ayofunwa Addunni, leads Nerfertiti, the all-female singing, and dance group. Nerfetti which means “The beautiful has come” is indeed a name fit for the elegantly dressed women. Expected to be guests at Ake Festival holding this November, this group is quite famous for their sonorous soul lifting songs. The group was established in 2006 to give a rendering of undiluted Africa folk music, unbeatable acapella sounds of Ilaje people of Ondo State. Here is the praise song, oriki, recited at the intro of their musical performance at The World Food Prize Ceremony: Dudu oh oooo, Dudu mirimiri la wo , Akinkanju ni wa ni le baba wa, A  o  pe a o re le ajeji Aje ju wa o, o fi ri o Ba ba de ajo, a je ila fun fun, A de ajo , a je abesun Ire de o, okuka meta, e le wa ra   Translation: Black Shining black is the complexion We are courageous in our fatherland We did not say that we won’t visit a foreign land, The earth appeases us Wealth is greater and that is the truth, It was when we got to a foreign land,  we ate white okra, When we got to a foreign land, we ate to sleep Here comes goodness, Three crystal stones unveiled.   I’ve gone to Ibadan (repeated four times) If you ask of me at home and I’m absent, I’ve gone to Ibadan, The home of Adesina Akinwumi   Watch video below:

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This article was first published on 11th November 2017 and updated on December 5th, 2017 at 5:24 pm

adepeju

Adepeju Adenuga is a writer (considering where you are reading this, makes perfect sense). She holds a Masters Degree in Literature in English from the University of Lagos.


Comments (2)

2 thoughts on “Adunni And Nefertiti at World Food Prize”


  • Inu mi dun si orin yin gidi gan-an ni. Asa ati Ede Yoruba lagba.
    Akewi ni emi naa. Inu mi a dun ti e ba le ran mi lowo tabi lati maa sise pelu yin. Onka ero ibanisoro mi niyi : 08103502522. Maa ma reti ipe Ayo lati odo yin ma
    Wow! This is incredible.

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