Natasha did not go to serve any dirty, but to reenact, The Soul of Osun-Oshogbo Grove on CNN

The Soul of Osun-Oshogbo Grove 💦

“You can forget me… I cannot advise you what you want to remember about me.”
Susanne Wenger replied a journalist who asked her how she wished to be remembered after her death.

Wole Soyinka, a Nobel Laureate in a tribute, described Susanne as “a questing stranger who came, saw and conquered”.

Indeed Susanne an Austrian born lover of arts and nature conquered many feats in her struggle to preserve the Osun-Oshogbo grove because she believed it’s an important part of the Yoruba culture and heritage.

Susanne fought against many Nigerian political authorities and local interest groups to prevent the destruction of the Osun grove.

Finally, the Federal Government gave into Susanne’s crusade and thereafter in 2005, the Osun-Oshogbo grove was inscribed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) heritage site becoming a classified geographical and historical landmark.

Susanne’s efforts has grown the Osun River Festival into an internationally recognized tourism activity.

Grateful I am to reenact for CNN a scene from the prestigious heritage of the Yoruba culture. It shows the world’s thirst to experience unique and rich Nigerian heritage.

Indeed, Susanne believed in the preservation of traditions more than many Nigerians themselves; and she singlehandedly conquered many feats …but she never found an answer to her often asked rhetorical question:

“What was it the early missionaries said about our gods that have made us appraised them as evil? How did they manage to exalt their religion at the expense of our own?”… Susanne Wenger.

Do you know?
Tell me…
Do you know?

Natasha H Akpoti
The People’s Senator
SDP