Latest news with #Ifa
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nigerian app connects spiritual seekers to African priests online
STORY: In Lagos, Nigeria, an app fusing tradition and technology hopes to redefine spiritual practises. Thirty-two-year-old Olawole Olakunle, an Ifa priest, has founded the web-based platform, He undertakes centuries-old rituals from his desk, streaming his consultation to his client online. It connects users with verified spiritual practitioners in Africa. "Some people don't know how to find a priest, some people don't know what it looks like relating with a priest, and for that reason we decided to create a platform where genuine users will meet with genuine priests." Users purchase virtual currency to engage with priests, who set their own rates for sessions. The app ensures transparency and ethical practises through an embedded red flag scanner which aims to safeguard from unethical interactions. Olakunle says his platform guarantees users receive personalized rituals, complete with video verification. This user, who wishes to remain anonymous, found the platform during a tough period in his life. He says he found spiritual guidance and a renewed sense of purpose. "I realized that some of them just want me to be part of their congregation, they don't really want to solve my problem. I have a problem, I don't want to be under anybody, I just want to solve my problem and create a relationship. Some of them don't even know what they are doing, and some they know what they are doing, they understand it but we don't have a chemistry, they are doing the right thing for me but I am not seeing the result.' The platform also has podcasts which Olakunle hopes will dispel stereotypes and understanding of spiritual practices. He hopes it's a catalyst for genuine spiritual guidance via technology.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seven Doors: sweeping Nigerian Netflix series masters the art of storytelling
From the opening credits of the new Netflix six-part series Seven Doors, the viewer is poised for a captivating cinematic experience. An array of sculptures dot the landscape as a montage of scenes unfolds, establishing the back story of the historical epic that is about to be played out. Femi Adebayo, the actor turned director and producer, had a huge hit in 2023 with the film Jagun Jagun (The Warrior), a historical epic love story that he produced. Now he's back on Netflix acting in, producing and co-directing Seven Doors. As a theatre professor, author, playwright and film scholar I follow the output of Nollywood. Nigeria's thriving film industry is increasingly attracting higher budgets and producing films and series of high screen value. Seven Doors is one of these. Seven Doors has some weaknesses, like not knowing the specific period the beautifully designed costumes represent, but it's mostly a masterpiece. It's a metaphor for Nigeria's current realities. For their leading roles, Adebayo won the lead actor award at the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards on 11 May and Chioma Chukwuka won lead actress. The film also won Best Score/Music. I find the plot very intricate, exciting and engaging. The cast also nails it. Among them are Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Hafiz Oyetoro, Adebayo 'Oga Bello' Salami, Gabriel Afolayan, Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Muyiwa Ademola and Adebayo himself. No better cast could have interrogated the world of Yoruba culture and myth that Nollywood is currently exploring. Seven Doors opens eerily, with a group of seven female characters who appear as if in trance from a bush path. At the call of their names by a priest, each falls off a cliff into a cascading waterfall, hitting their heads on stones at the bed of the fall. The scene is swiftly succeeded by the introduction of a young family of four on a lawn tennis court in the middle of a game. The line at the end of this scene, 'We all win together in love', resonates throughout the movie's narrative. The story also revolves around them. A door can be an opening or a barrier. The six episodes are each creatively titled: Door Threshold, Door Jamb, Door Frame, Door Lock, Door Swivel, and Door Peephole. The audience is left to imagine and add the title for the seventh 'door', perhaps. Each episode provides access to the intriguing story as it unfolds. The story begins in the ancient town of Ilara and excavates a sacrilegious crime – two princes as siblings aspire to become the Oba (king and ruler) of their kingdom. The Ifa oracle, the last arbiter in such matters, counsels that both princes are eligible and will rule over the kingdom with prosperity following. However, the way forward is for them to have a heart-to-heart talk among themselves so that one withdraws from the race. One remembers that recently, a state government, Oyo, in south-west Nigeria, sought the counsel of an Ifa priest to determine who should be the Alaafin of Oyo, a prominent king. What follows in the narrative of Seven Doors is disastrous: the younger prince strangles his elder brother and cunningly gets the throne, setting the tone for the calamity that besets the kingdom. Flash forward to the present. Adedunjoye, a young prince of the Adekogbe Ruling House, turns down the choice to be the next king, Onilara of Ilara. There is an echo of the recent not-too-young-to-run agitation by a section of the younger generation in Nigeria. Read more: Seven Doors boasts aesthetically designed period costumes (Lola Awe and Yolanda Okereke) and makeup and special effects (Hakeem Onilogbo). The hairstyles (Oyewale Omolara), props, vehicles and other details (Olorunnisola Omowonuola) show that the story is set in Nigeria's 1950s-1960s. I was impressed by the art direction and scenography in the film, handled by Olatunji Afolayan, right from the opening montage, with the credits rolling and superimposed on the sculptured figurines (handled by Gabriel Udeh and Abayomi Olamakinde). To me, this is a celebration of the culture and the past of the traditional institution. The post-production is clinical too. Overall, I like the non-intrusive special effects in the movie. The subtle way the filmmaker used each scene and each episode to make different statements on the past, present and future is commendable. It comes with the impression that the sins of the father can become a stumbling block to the sons. It is a well-handled, visually appealing storytelling. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Adediran Kayode Ademiju-Bepo, University of Jos Read more: Funding terror: how west Africa's deadly jihadists get the money they need to survive Colonial-era borders create conflict in Africa's oceans – how to resolve them Why Meta is in trouble in Nigeria and what this means for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users Adediran Kayode Ademiju-Bepo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Best Ifa build in Genshin Impact: Top weapons, artifacts, and team setups
Image via HoYoverse swirls Best Artifact Sets for Ifa 1. 4pc Viridescent Venerer (Top Pick) 2. 4pc Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City 3. Mix and Match: 2pc Gilded Dreams + 2pc Wanderer's Troupe Main Stats: Sands : Elemental Mastery (or Energy Recharge if needed) : Elemental Mastery (or Energy Recharge if needed) Goblet : Elemental Mastery : Elemental Mastery Circlet: Elemental Mastery Sub-stats Priority: BEST IFA BUILD - How to Build Ifa in 60 Seconds #genshinimpact #genshin #hoyoverse Best Weapons for Ifa 1. Sunny Morning Sleep-In (5★) 2. A Thousand Floating Dreams (5★) 3. Sacrificial Fragments (4★) 4. Mappa Mare (Craftable) Talent Leveling Order Elemental Skill Elemental Burst Normal Attack (skip unless you really want to bonk enemies) 8 C0 Ifa Team Comps | Genshin Impact 5.6 Build & Showcase Best Teams for Ifa 1. Ifa + Ororon + Furina + Nahida 2. Ifa + Fischl + Xingqiu + Dendro Traveler 3. Ifa + Ororon + Mavuika + Xilonen Pro tip think Fischl, Beidou, Xingqiu, or Furina. heal, swirl, and support Ifa's here—and he's not just stylish, hehard. The new 4-star Anemo Catalyst user is built for Electro-Charged teams , and with the right build, he shines as a driver and support unit. He's flexible, budget-friendly, and fits beautifully into teams that thrive on Elemental Reactions. Here's a quick build guide to get the most out of this Nightsoul-blessed Saurian thrives with this set—extra Anemo DMG, Swirl boost, and RES for maximizing Electro-Charged and Swirl you're leaning into his burst rotation, this set works well. It amps up his output while he's in his Nightsoul's Blessing grant solid Elemental Mastery boosts. Perfect if you're still farming or want more > Energy Recharge > ATK%This is Ifa's BiS. Tons of Elemental Mastery from both stat and passive. If you've got it, use alternative. Boosts EM and provides bonuses based on your team comp's Elemental 4-star pick. High EM and a cooldown reset mechanic that helps with Swirl free-to-play option. EM-based and accessible from the on Skill for consistent swirl/healing. Burst comes next if you're going for big AoE support shines in Electro-Charged core teams. Here's how to build around him:A high-end team built on constant reactions, healing, and Elemental chaos. Ororon shreds, Nahida boosts EM, Furina buffs + heals.A 4-star-friendly Electro-Charged setup. Fischl and Xingqiu keep reactions flowing while Dendro Traveler enables Quicken overlap.A fun swirl-heavy team that mixes Electro and Hydro with healing and buffs.: Ifa pairs best with characters that create consistent Electro/Hydro application—Ifa is simple to build, fun to play, and brings swirl-based healing and utility without demanding rare gear. Stack EM, slot him into an Electro-Charged setup, and watch himlike a pro.
BBC News
03-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'All religions aim to establish relationship wit God' - Catholic priest wey turn African Traditional religion expert
Afta im spend 17 years as Catholic priest, Echezona Obiagbaosogu leave di priesthood for African Traditional Religion (ATR) at a time wen pipo dey tok more on di indigenous religion. Obiagbaosogu move don generate plenty tok-tok on social media as some describe am as bold and inspiring to dose wey fit dey nurse di same idea but dey fear to follow di road. E tell BBC News Pidgin say even wen im be priest, e don always do some rites of di African Traditional Religion, and add say im only continue to live im life as believer of God. "Shey switch bin dey? I don always live my life. Even as priest I don always do some rites of di African Traditional Religion. Even on cassock, I don always try to practise di much wey I fit. "Contradiction no dey anywia. So, switch no dey, I just continue to live my life as believer of God," e tok. Obiagbaosogu say all religions, as dem get dia symbolic elements of culture, dey aim to establish "relationship wit God, di Supreme reality". Obiagbaosogu no dey alone on dis path. At 45, Chekwube Okwunwendu don undergo profound spiritual transformation. Once a devout Catholic, now e don find fulfilment in ATR. Although dem born am into African Traditional Religion bifor im convert to Christianity, but e bin no imagine say one day im go take different path from Christianity. "I bin feel lost in Christianity. I bin get questions wey no one fit answer," Chekwube tell BBC News Pidgin. "Meanwhile, Christianity and Islam na imported religion for Africa. Africa get im own as Traditional Religion. So, e dey veri important for Africans to maintain dia own instead of to kill am. E say wen im begin to read about im ancestors spirituality, evritin make sense, and add say e finally feel at peace. Across Nigeria, more pipo dey rediscover dia indigenous spiritual heritage and dey break away from Christianity and Islam to embrace ATR. For some, na about rejecting colonial influences. For odas, na search for identity and spiritual authenticity. 'Pipo dey come in search of somtin wey dey deeper' Oluwo Olawole Olakunle, wey be Ifa priest for Lagos, southwest Nigeria, don notice increase in di number of young pipo wey dey renounce Christianity and Islam for ATR. "Pipo dey come in search of somtin wey dey deeper. And wetin dey deeper here na self-realisation. Wen pipo come into Isese (ATR), e dey give dem di opportunity to work di journey to self-realisation," e tok. "Sometimes, e fit be hardship. In di course of finding succour to dia lives, dem realise say dem don dey disconnected from dia source. River wey forget im source go definitely dry up. But some pipo just love ATR becos of wetin e dey offer." E say pipo now get access to genuine information and no too dey rely on Nollywood, wey e accuse say dey misrepresent ATR. Anoda Nigerian Ifa priest identified as Oluwo Jogbodo say all di pipo im don convert so far na Christians and Muslims. "And dem always tell me say e bin start wen dem begin question evritin. So, I think if more pipo start to question dia religion, dem go also convert," e tok. "Blindly following ideology na wetin allow Abrahamic religions to gain ground. Once pipo start to dey question am now, dem go see di light." Abisola Alawode, wey be Nigerian journalist and producer of one documentary titled Exploring African Spirituality, believe say na growing consciousness among young Nigerians dey drive di shift. "More Africans dey question di erasure of ATR and dem dey actively reclaim dia spiritual heritage," Alawode explain. "Di way dem dey see ATR for di media and public discourse don change a lot over di years. Dem bin demonise am bifor, but today, growing effort dey to reclaim and respect am." According to Alawode, social media don play important role for dis movement. "Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube don give African Traditional Religion practitioners a voice. Dem dey use dis spaces to educate odas and dismantle stereotypes," Alawode add. Di legacy of Christianity and Islam for Africa To understand di present shift, e dey important to look at di past. Islam bin enter Nigeria through trade routes for di 11th century, and spread through di northern regions wit di rise of di Sokoto Caliphate for di 19th century. Christianity bin arrive for di 15th century wit Portuguese explorers, but na for di 19th century, wit di efforts of British missionaries, e get firm root. Dis religions bin gradually displace indigenous spiritual systems, and often label dem as primitive or satanic. As of 2015, di Pew Research Center bin report say Nigeria population na 50% Muslim and 48.1% Christian, wit around 2% wey dey adhere to oda or no religious affiliations. Additionally, many pipo blend indigenous animist beliefs or traditional practices wit Islam or Christianity. 'Religion wey neva go war on im own behalf' Renowned writer and Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka na advocate of African spirituality. E famously remove imsef from Christianity, and favour Orisa worship instead. E describe di religion of di Orisa (ATR) as "one of di few religions for di world wey neva go war on im own behalf, on im own basis, for di promotion of im ideas". "Na veri tolerant religion—di religion of di Orisa. And despite im reticence, e actually successfully cross di Atlantic in di hearts of di slaves, to di Caribbean, to Latin America, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Dominica, Puerto Rico, name am. Anywia di slaves go, dia religion survive in spite of veri harsh reprisals from di slave owners," Professor Soyinka tok for one viral interview. "Not only dat, dis religion bin dey so infectious sotey e syncretise wit Roman Catholic religion." Meanwhile, di renewed interest in ATR dey beyond religion—na about identity, culture, and history. As more Nigerians dey embrace dia indigenous beliefs, dem believe say dem no dey just reconnect wit dia ancestors but dey forge a new path wey dey honour di past while shaping di future. "Dis no be trend," Oluwo Olakunle tok. "Na self-realisation."
