The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Sunday commenced his annual seven-day seclusion in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the sacred rites preceding the Olojo Festival.
Declaring this year’s spiritual exercise as one dedicated to the peace, unity, and sustainable progress of Nigeria, the revered monarch urged Nigerians across all divides—particularly traditional rulers within the Oduduwa race worldwide—to embrace unity as the most veritable tool for national renewal.
The Olojo Festival, meaning “Day of the First Dawn”, is regarded as one of the oldest and most respected cultural celebrations in Yorubaland. It symbolises the day the Almighty created the earth and highlights Ile-Ife’s eternal role as the cradle of humanity.
The festival also underscores creation, renewal, and the spiritual authority of the Ooni as custodian of Yoruba heritage. Its climax features the monarch’s public appearance in the sacred Aare Crown, believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race.
Speaking before retreating into solitude, the Ooni called on Nigerians to embrace peace, tolerance, and love for one another, stressing that without these values, the country would remain vulnerable to division and underdevelopment.
“I am praying for Nigeria and Nigerians. I seek God’s mercy upon this land. 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,” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
He further admonished political leaders to govern with fairness, justice, and compassion, emphasising that leadership must always prioritise the welfare of the people. According to him, no society can thrive when its leaders ignore the cries of the masses.
The seven-day seclusion is a period of spiritual purification during which the Ooni abstains from public appearances and dedicates himself to prayer, meditation, and communion with his ancestors. It is considered a sacred duty enabling him to intercede for his subjects and the nation.
The seclusion also prepares the monarch for the festival’s climax, when he leads processions, ancestral rites, and prayers at historic sites in Ile-Ife, reaffirming the town’s place as the spiritual heart of the Yoruba nation.
By dedicating this year’s seclusion to Nigeria’s well-being, the Ooni reinforces the role of traditional rulers as custodians of morality and spirituality at a time when Nigerians are yearning for stability, hope, and renewed purpose.
Earlier on Sunday, before entering seclusion, the Ooni, who doubles as Permanent Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) and Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), paid a historic solidarity visit to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty Oba Rasheed Ladoja.
The visit drew a mammoth crowd of Ibadan indigenes, Mogajis, and other traditional rulers who turned out to receive the Ooni. In his remarks, Oba Ogunwusi expressed regret that he would be unable to attend the forthcoming coronation of the Olubadan scheduled for Friday, citing its coincidence with his Olojo Festival rites.
The Olubadan, in response, lauded the Ooni for his leadership and sacrifices in uniting Yoruba monarchs and strengthening cultural institutions. He urged other traditional rulers to emulate the Ife monarch by focusing on what binds them together rather than what divides them.
“Kabiyesi Oonirisa, if we all come together with our ideas, with yours, we will have our way. As God will have it, the President of the country, who is also our son, has assured me of his presence at my coronation. Governance is a different experience from politics, and as one with ten years of experience on the throne, you will be one of my teachers. I have said this to all obas who have visited me,” the Olubadan noted.
As the Olojo Festival 2025 gathers momentum, the Ooni’s message of unity, peace, and progress resonates not just within Yorubaland but across Nigeria and beyond. For the monarch, the week-long solitude is not only about preserving ancient traditions, but also about invoking blessings on the nation and inspiring the sons and daughters of Oduduwa to remain steadfast in building a stronger, united, and progressive Nigeria.