Olojo Festival 2022: Ooni Enters Seclusion, Says His Prayers Will Focus On ASUU Strike, 2023 Election

The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II on Sunday proceeded on the annual 7-day seclusion rite as Olojo festival takes off in Ile-Ife. 

Addressing journalists on his way out of the Ile Oodua, his palace, the revered monarch said his prayers will focus on the prolonged industrial action embarked upon by the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as well as the 2023 election.

Ooni Ogunwusi who appeared in his usual white traditional attire laced with colorful ancient beads, added that he will use the highly spiritual moment of seclusion as a point of contact to God Almighty towards resolving all issues in Nigeria as the country gears up for next year's General election.

The Arole Oduduwa who is the Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) explained that the government must as a matter of core urgency end the strike to avert the looming anger of Nigerian youths.

He said, "The youths are angry and no one can blame them for that. Just imagine the number of months they have been kept out of school, ASUU and government must unite and end this because we cannot handle the anger of the youths if they go out of control.

"They have started blocking highways and even threatening to lock airports, that is an indication that they have been pushed to the wall.

"This is my seventh year on the throne and I have been serving humanity with special focus on the youths of our country. Apart from investing hugely in human capital development and capacity building, I have engaged many of the youths as handlers of my firms and they have shown excellence in leadership. So I appeal to our government to look at this direction and make the necessary ammendment.

"During the recruitment process at the newly unveiled OjajaMore, over 50 percent of applicants are undergraduates which speaks to the fact that the ASUU strike has done a lot of damage. It is avoidable and it should be ended by the government and ASUU for the benefit of the youths. 

"Next year's election is equally another strong prayer request with which I am proceeding into seclusion, I am praying that the process goes seamlessly acceptable to all for peace and prosperity of our land."

Explaining the potency of the seclusion exercise, the Ooni who will be incommunicado and not grant audience within the days in seclusion said," There has never been time my prayer requests during seclusion is not answered by the Almighty, it has never happened. It is a period of fasting and prayer to appease God and seek blessings for our land. 

Olojo festival connotes a strong indication of God's creation and the day of the first dawn on earth, it is celebrated annually in Ile-Ife by all descendants of Oduduwa globally.