Statue of Oduduwa

The Statue of Oduduwa at the base of the Oduduwa Hall inside the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Standing at over fifteen feet, it was carved by master sculptor Lamidi Olonade Fakeye and commissioned in 1987 by the Ooni of Ife His Majesty Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

Oduduwa is the progenitor of the Yoruba race and is the first ruler of the Ife Kingdom. A myth surrounds the chain around his waist and the cockerel at his feet. It is said that Oduduwa descended from heaven in the beginning of creation and finding the earth filled with water poured some sand that was spread around by the cock. He later planted a palm nut which grew into the first tree and from thence began civilisation.