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:
