Oluwo (Dr.) Fasola Faniyi Babatunde – The Araba of Otta, Awori Kingdom
Oluwo (Dr.) Fasola Faniyi Babatunde, known as Araba of Otta Kingdom, Awori, was born and raised in the ancient town of Otta. He is the son of the late Fasola Ifagbemi (Baba Onifa) of the Iga Ilugba family in Ijana district and also of the Iga Itusi family in Ilogbo Asowo Otta.
After completing his primary education, he joined the Anglican Grammar School, Otta, where he studied between 1996 and 2002. He later pursued his studies at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, where he majored in Biochemistry, receiving a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Honours) degree between 2004 and 2010. Driven by his quest for knowledge, he joined the Obafemi Awolowo University in 2017, where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Criminology, Security Management and Operations. In addition, he holds several prestigious certificates such as FICA and FISMON.
Growing up under the guidance of his late father, Fasola Faniyi was initiated as an Ifa priest and scholar.
His background in biochemistry combined with his vast knowledge of African alternative therapies have made him one of the most respected and renowned Traditional Healers (TDr), practitioners of alternative therapies and scholars of Ifá.
Dr. Fasola has been widely recognized as a traditional icon, receiving awards from national and international organizations. He is a patron of several renowned institutions such as the Alamala Army Mess of Ado-Odo/Otta division and the Igbimo Omo Yoruba of Ado-Odo/Otta.
Currently, he is:
Chief Priest of Ancestral Pride Temple Limited
Founder of the Ancestral Pride Foundation, which promotes African cultural and social heritage.
Founder of the Ancestral Pride Institute of Cultural Studies, based in Otta, Nigeria, with branches in Panama, Brazil, Cuba and Venezuela.
CEO of A-Pride Hotel and Suites, in Onigbin, Otta.
CEO of A-Pride Records/Entertainment.
Other Achievements and Associations:
Secretary General of the International Council for the Ifá Religion.
Vice-president of ARSADIC, an organization that brings together traditionalists.
President of the Isese Organization in the Awori Kingdom.
Board Member of the Awori Tourism Board.
Honorary member of the Lagos Integrity Lions Club.
Founder of the Orunmila Brotherhood Foundation.
Member of the Iwas'Agba Traditional Medicine Association of Nigeria.
President of the Ifá Ni Kaki Association of Nigeria.
Member of the Ogboni Aborijin Brotherhood of Nigeria, where he holds the office of Oluwo Iledi Oladekoju Abimota, Lagos, Nigeria.
PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND QUALIFICATIONSALUMNI
OF OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY (OOU)FELLOW INSTITUTE CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION (FICA)FELLOW NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, LABOUR, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (NIIRLRD)MEMBER INSTITUTE OF SECURITY MANAGEMENT OF NIGERIA (ISMON)HONORARY MEMBER OF LAGOS INTEGRITY LIONS CLUBMEMBER - EYES FOR AFRICA FOUNDATION, USAPATRON - ALAMALA ARMY MESS MEMBER, ADO-ODO/OTTA DIVISIONPATRON - IGBIMO OMO YORUBA OF ADO-ODO/OTTASECRETARY GENERAL - INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR IFA RELIGIONVICE CHAIRMAN & MEMBER OF ARSADIC (An umbrella body for all traditionalist) CHAIRMAN - ISESE ORGANIZATION, OTTA, AWORI KINGDOMMEMBER - AWORI TOURISM BOARDMEMBER - OLOTA IN CHIEFS, OTTA, AWORI KINGDOMCEO - APride Hotel and Suites, ONIGBIN, OTTA - https://www.apridehotelandsuites.com/about#CEOCEO - A-Pride Records/Entertainment
Mission and Passion: Dr. Fasola is a passionate advocate for the restoration of African values and indigenous faith (Ifá). His passion is to teach and impart authentic knowledge about Ifá and Òrìṣàs, positively impacting people’s lives.