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THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Monday hosted American basketball star Jaylen Brown and bestowed on him the traditional Yoruba name, \u201cBabatunde\u201d.<\/p>\n Brown, a player for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA), arrived at the palace and was received by the Ooni.<\/p>\n The royal father was accompanied by other traditional rulers and palace officials during the basketball star\u2019s visit to the historic city.<\/p>\n In a statement by his Senior Media Officer, Sodiq Lawal, Ogunwusi explained that Babatunde meant \u201cthe father has returned\u201d or \u201cancestor has returned\u201d.<\/p>\n The Ooni described the name as Brown\u2019s ancestral identity, formally connecting the basketball star with his Yoruba heritage and ancestral roots.<\/p>\n He told Brown: \u201cThis is to certify that you have been officially issued Babatunde as your traditional and ancestral name.<\/p>\n \u201cHenceforth, you shall be known as Babatunde Jaylen Brown.\u201d<\/p>\n Ogunwusi expressed confidence that the ancestral name would bring Brown good fortune and strengthen his connection with Yoruba heritage.<\/p>\n The traditional ruler highlighted Ile-Ife\u2019s rich historical and spiritual significance as the centre of Yoruba civilisation and ancestral heritage.<\/p>\n He said slavery and forced migration had separated families and communities that shared common ancestral origins across Africa and the diaspora.<\/p>\n The Ooni urged people of African descent, particularly those living in the diaspora, to reconnect with their ancestral roots.<\/p>\n He said Brown\u2019s visit provided an opportunity to reconnect with his heritage and learn from generations of preserved ancestral history.<\/p>\n According to him, the palace has preserved generations of ancestral history, royal lineage, cultural traditions and other aspects of Yoruba heritage.<\/p>\n Ogunwusi encouraged Africans worldwide to visit Ile-Ife and other locations connected to their ancestry to deepen their understanding of history.<\/p>\n He said such visits would promote greater appreciation of African culture, identity and heritage among people across the world.<\/p>\n Responding, Brown expressed appreciation to the Ooni for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him during his visit.<\/p>\n The NBA star said the experience enabled him to learn more about his heritage and encouraged people to visit their ancestral roots. (NAN<\/a>)<\/p>\n A.I<\/p>\n Sept. 8, 2026<\/p>\n Tags: NBA<\/a> Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi<\/a> Ooni of Ife<\/a> Sodiq Lawal<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\tPost navigation<\/p>\n
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