Yoruba Descendants Association of Alabama Inc. ( YODAAI)
[ Egbe Omo Yoruba Ni Alabama]
Moved by lack of a forum for Yorubas in Alabama for fellowship and shared values and interests, a group of concerned men and women from Montgomery and Auburn planned a meeting. Professor Lekan Ayanwale hosted the first informal meeting at his Auburn residence in 2011.
From there, a committee was raised to recommend names for the association and to also draft the legal organizing document in preparation for a formal meeting that followed later in Montgomery, Alabama. Hence, The Yoruba Descendants Association of Alabama nc. ( Egbe Omo Yoruba Ni Alabama ) was established.
Our mission: We, the descendants of Yoruba living in the state of Alabama, USA hereby come together and form this Non-profit organization for the benefit of mankind and for the promotion of Yoruba culture, values, and language, among the people of our immediate community and the world in general. We will actively promote culturally appropriate education that build up individuals and communities to their utmost God given potentials.
Our vision: We seek to help people in our community to grow culturally, intellectually, and economically, using the rich cultural heritage of the Yorubas, particularly in areas of child upbringing, family foundation, communal service and personal values. We seek to create a community of productive and fully participating citizenry.
Our Values: As the children of 'good morning' where all people are families and all children are our children. We embrace: Deep knowledge, Self Restrain, Respect for others, Fairness and all encompassing attributes of an “omoluwabi”
"NIGERIA is a Country with a manifest destiny to Lead. Even before Nigeria attained independence from Britain, she played a significant role in the world order. Perhaps the most notably contribution of Nigeria to humanity is her resolve to see the end of Apartheid in South Africa. At a historical level, there can be no doubt that Nigeria was one of the leading African countries in the anti-apartheid struggle."
-Dr Oluyinka Adediji on the occasion of the 52nd Nigerian Independence day.
Yorubas' Rich Oral Tradition:
The Yorubas are an ancient people.
They may not have rigorously kept a written history
but there is a rich oral tradition of passing along
our history and our heritage in many different ways,
in song and interpretive dance like Ijala,
each one telling a story that is heavily laden with culture,
while taking detours through touchstones in our history.
See for example below, a modern day troubadour,
singing a special traditional greeting to members of the YODAAI association.
Listen as he mentions each members name, saying something about where they are from
and what their people may be known for, e.g warriors, hunters, etc
Mark Zuckerberg visits Nigeria
Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of FACEBOOK visits Lagos, Nigeria sometime in August 2016. His first stop was a local innovation center and tech hub in Yaba, an area on the mainland of Lagos known as Nigeria's Silicon Valley.
Zuckerberg said to Nigerians "This is my first trip to sub-Saharan Africa. I'll be meeting with developers and entrepreneurs, and learning about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria. The energy here is amazing and I'm excited to learn as much as I can."
Watch the video to your below...
Our First chairman Of the Board
Famous Yoruba People
Click on the slide show images to see more information!
 Prof Akinwande Oluwole SoyinkaAkinwande Oluwole Soyinka is one of the most widely known and internationally recognized Yoruba indigenes of our time. Here are some interesting facts about his life... |  Folorunsho AlakijaIntroducing the currently, richest black woman in the world, Nigeria and Yoruba’s own: Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija! Folorunsho Alakija is a businesswoman from Nigeria. She was born in 1951 to the family of Chief L. A. Ogbara in Ikorodu, Lagos State. She is a business tycoon involved in... |
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 Panshak Zamani aka Ice PrinceMost people know him as Mr. Ice Prince Zamani. Some know him by his famous song, “Oleku”! But whatever people know him as, one thing is for sure, this new artist is reaching great heights of fame and success. Mr. Panshak Zamani was born in Minna, Niger State. At the tender age of two... |  Esther Olajumoke AdewumiNigerian Gospel Music has got a new face and its Esther Olajumoke Adewumi! For those of you that do not know who she is and what she is about, get ready to get informed on one of the hottest and newest Nigerian gospel artists in the diaspora... |
 Olufunke Ayotunde AkindeleOlufunke Ayotunde Akindele is popularly known today as Funke Akindele. Funke is a very famous comedic Nigerian actress. Starring in movies such as “Girls on Fire”, “Village Babes”, and her most notable movie, “Jenifa” (which had about 4 sequels), Funke Akindele has won the hearts of millions worldwide! She was born on August 24, 1976 in Ikorudu, Lagos State, Nigeria... |  Olufela Olusegun Oludotun KuOne of the most famous, international Yoruba icons in history is Fela Kuti. Fela is well known for his keen and creative sense of music and his strong, bold political views and actions. Fela Kuti was a multi-instrumentalist, composer and musician; a human rights activist, pioneer of afro-beat, and was politically orthodox. Although many people knew him as Fela Kuti, his full name was... |
 The Late Fatai Rolling DollarFatai Rolling Dollar, who passed away on June 12th 2013 at the age of 86 years, was extremely talented at playing musical instruments. He was known as “Agidigbo father,” or exponent, for his dexterity playing traditional thumb piano known as “Agidigbo” and because he was also a virtuoso guitar player he dubbed himself “Seriki Oni Guitar” (Leader of all Guitarists). |  Toyin Sokefun BelloToyin Sokefun Bello is a Nigerian musician. Her music is eclectic: urbane, groovy and soulful; and is laced with hip hop, jazz and R&B. She is a University of Lagos economics graduate. She was a member one of Nigeriaâs most celebrated urban gospel band- Kush made up of her, Emem and Lara... |
 Bukola “Asa” ElemideKnown As: Aṣa Origin: Born in France to Yoruba parents Gift: Singer-songwriter and recording artist. Bukola Elemide was two years old when her family left France to live in Nigeria... |  Gbenga AkinnagbeIn this world, there are people that use their fame and money to please themselves. Then there are the few people that use their fame to change lives! Those people are the ones that make an affect ! They are people that refuse to live in a skewed world when they have the power to change it. Mr. Gbenga Akinnagbe is one of those people... |
 Yoruba Cultural InstituteThe Yoruba Cultural Institute is a product of sacrifice and commitment to Yoruba and African heritage and reclamation. |