WHY EVERY BLACK MAN MUST VISIT OSUN STATE ONCE IN HIS OR HER LIFE TIME - DR ABDIAS DE NASCIMENTOS

DR ABDIAS do NASCIMENTOS was an international hero, a man of peace and one of the icons of black freedom movement in Brazil, infact, throughout Latin America, if not the entire Americas; Dr. Abdias Nascimento! (Simply Abdias to everybody, young and old.) He was a lover of anything black. Very much familiar with Nigeria and there is no place in Nigeria that he likes and speaks of as Osogbo! Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in April, 2010 was in Brazil to personally invite the Brazilian Government, eminent black personalities and African-Brazilian thinkers to the notably successful Conference of Black Nationalities which concluded in Osogbo in August, 2010. Prince Oyinlola, to me, was the lover of culture, son of Osun State who pitched our traditional Yoruba Culture to many parts of the world, including Cuba and Brazil. Oyinlola and Abdias both relived stories of Abdias' familiarity with Osogbo and his intellectually projected passion for anything Yoruba. During the conversation, Abdias could not believe that Prince Oyinlola, as a sitting Governor and Chief Host of the Conference of Black Nationalities will be humble enough to invite him to the Conference. Two comments he (Abdias) made in honour and appreciation of Prince Oyinlola's visit, will, forever remain green in my memories:

• • Every African-Descendant (Black person) should, at least, make a visit to Osogbo before their death.
• • Despite his age of 97 years then, he promised to honour Prince Oyinlola's invitation to the Conference of Black Nationalities (if his doctors allowed him), knowing fully well that he may die in Osogbo due to the rigour of travels. He said: that will be an honour to die in the land of my ancestors!

Unfortunately, his doctors did not want him out of their sight and refused his trip to Osogbo. If not, he would have blessed the Conference of Black Nationalities with his presence, intelligence and humility! He would have brought the entire African Brazilian population to Osogbo with him! As part of his promtion of the Conference of Black Nationalities, Prince Oyinlola continued from Rio-de-Janeiro, where Abdias lived to Salvador, Bahia to visit and to invite another African Brazilian legend; Mestre Didi. Visits have also been made to Havana, Cuba and Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where Oyinlola persistently and tirelessly prevailed on the leadership, as well as, black intellectuals on the need for them to get familiar with Yoruba/Nigerian culture by supporting and participating in the Conference of Black nationalities.