The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Monday, hosted American basketball star Jaylen Brown and bestowed on him the traditional Yoruba name, “Babatunde.”

Brown, a player for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association, arrived at the palace and was received by the Ooni.

The royal father was accompanied by other traditional rulers and palace officials during the basketball star’s visit to the historic city.

In a statement by his Senior Media Officer, Sodiq Lawal, Ogunwusi explained that Babatunde meant “the father has returned” or “ancestor has returned.”

The Ooni described the name as Brown’s ancestral identity, formally connecting the basketball star with his Yoruba heritage and ancestral roots.

He told Brown, “This is to certify that you have been officially issued Babatunde as your traditional and ancestral name.

“Henceforth, you shall be known as Babatunde Jaylen Brown.”

Ogunwusi expressed confidence that the ancestral name would bring Brown good fortune and strengthen his connection to Yoruba heritage.

The traditional ruler highlighted Ile-Ife’s rich historical and spiritual significance as the centre of Yoruba civilisation and ancestral heritage.

He said slavery and forced migration had separated families and communities that shared common ancestral origins across Africa and the diaspora.

The Ooni urged people of African descent, particularly those living in the diaspora, to reconnect with their ancestral roots.

He said Brown’s visit provided an opportunity to reconnect with his heritage and learn from generations of preserved ancestral history.

According to him, the palace has preserved generations of ancestral history, royal lineage, cultural traditions and other aspects of Yoruba heritage.

Ogunwusi encouraged Africans worldwide to visit Ile-Ife and other locations connected to their ancestry to deepen their understanding of history.

He said such visits would promote greater appreciation of African culture, identity and heritage among people across the world.

Responding, Brown expressed appreciation to the Ooni for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him during his visit.

The NBA star said the experience enabled him to learn more about his heritage and encouraged people to visit their ancestral roots.

NAN