The ancient city of Ile-Ife came alive over the weekend as dignitaries, cultural enthusiasts, and tourists from across the world gathered to celebrate the 2025 Olojo Festival.
The Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, dedicated this year’s celebration to prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, and sustainable progress. He urged traditional rulers across the Oduduwa race to embrace unity as a vital tool for development.
“I am praying for Nigeria and for Nigerians. May we all experience peace, unity, progress, and the blessings of the Almighty. To the sons and daughters of Oduduwa everywhere, I urge you: be peaceful, be united, and let us work together for progress,” the Ooni declared.
The monarch further admonished political leaders to act with fairness, justice, and compassion, stressing that no society prospers when its leaders ignore the cries of the people.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, also seized the occasion to call on politicians across party lines to shun division and embrace unity for the development of Ile-Ife and the state at large.
He welcomed political leaders including former deputy governor and governorship aspirant Senator Iyiola Omisore, members of the National Assembly, the Osun State House of Assembly, the Asiwaju of the Source, Chief Alex Duduyemi, alongside royal fathers, chiefs, and thousands of participants who thronged the ancient city for the historic festival.
The governor stressed that unity among leaders remains crucial to peace and development. He noted that the symbolic presence of leaders from diverse political backgrounds at the festival underscored the possibility of reconciliation and harmony in Osun politics.
“If you see me and Senator Omisore, we sit together and dialogue. This is how peace can reign. There is no gain in violence,” Governor Adeleke stated, urging politicians to rise above rivalry and prioritize the collective good.
He further appealed to youths and elders alike to resist incitement to violence, charging residents to promote peace so the festival can continue to thrive in future years.
In his remarks, Senator Iyiola Omisore described the Olojo Festival as a unifying heritage of the Yoruba people with global appeal. He pledged that if elected governor, he would work to secure UNESCO World Heritage recognition for the festival, similar to the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
The President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Aare Hassan Oladotun, hailed the festival as a grand expression of Yoruba heritage and reaffirmed the Ooni’s place as the preeminent monarch of Yorubaland. He urged Yorubas across the world to uphold Omoluabi values and principles wherever they reside.
Similarly, the President of the Ife Development Board, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, commended the Ooni for elevating the Olojo Festival to international prominence. He emphasized that the celebration transcends Ife, carrying worldwide cultural significance.
Tourists from Canada, Brazil, South Africa, and other countries added a rich diaspora dimension to this year’s festival. One of them, Brazilian visitor João Silva, described the experience as deeply emotional:
“Being here feels like a homecoming. The energy, the rituals, and the unity are deeply moving,” he told journalists.
The festival also attracted Nollywood icons, including veteran actor Lere Paimo (Baba Eda) and the legendary Iya Rainbow, whose presence added glamour and star power to the festivities.
The 2025 Olojo Festival once again affirmed Ile-Ife’s position as the cradle of Yoruba civilization, attracting global attention while reinforcing its cultural and spiritual significance.