Benin President ,Yayi confirms he is Yoruba.

President of Benin Republic, Dr Thomas Boni Yayi, on Saturday 20th December,2008,shocked prominent Yoruba Obas and leaders when he announced in impeccable Yoruba language at Ile-Ife that he was happy to be back home.

Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi during a welcome ceremony at Cotonou airport in Benin on Nov. 18, 2011.



Yayi, who was in Ile-Ife to receive an honorary doctorate degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University and a chieftaincy title from the Ooni of Ife, said he was happy to be where his story started.

Boni Yayi during a recent visit to Nigerian President Mr. Jonathan in Abuja

"Kabiyesi, my being here today is home-coming. It is the water that weaned me that I have come to see. It is the breast that I sucked that I have come to behold. Just continue to pray for me, your son who is the President of Benin Republic," he told the Ooni after he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Sooko Adimula Obaninuola of Ife.


Yayi, who is from the Yoruba-speaking part of Benin Republic, told his audience which included Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Afenifere leaders - Chiefs Reuben Fasoranti and Ayo Adebanjo – and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji AbdulMumini Kabir Usman, that his country and Nigeria were inseparable brothers.

President Bush and President Yayi ,during Busr official visit to Benin in 2008.


"Nigeria and Benin share the same culture, people and history. Indeed, Benin is Nigeria's 37th state while Nigeria is Benin's 7th department," he said.


He added that he was happy that the regional integration started by former President Olusegun Obasanjo was being continued by the Umaru Yar’Adua administration.

He was accompanied by over ten Yoruba Obas from Benin Republic.

Culled from :http://www.yorubareligion.org/_con/_rubric/detail.php?nr=1308&rubric=News&PHPSESSID=roif61i18drhp2suidc16ipbt1 .