The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has commenced his seven-day sacred seclusion ahead of the 2026 Olojo Festival, urging political leaders to place the welfare of Nigerians and the national interest above political differences.
The Ooni began the traditional spiritual exercise on Sunday, September 20, as the ancient city of Ile-Ife entered a significant spiritual phase of the annual Olojo Festival. The seclusion forms part of the traditional rites preceding the festival and is associated with the Ooni’s preparation for the sacred ceremonies culminating in his emergence wearing the Aare Crown.
Speaking to journalists shortly before proceeding into seclusion, the Ooni said Nigeria was greater than the individual interests of politicians and urged political leaders to ensure that their differences did not undermine the country’s sovereignty and unity.
“My message for Nigeria as a nation is that Nigeria is bigger than all of us. We should always strive very hard not to utter anything that will affect our sovereignty,” the Ooni said.
He further appealed to politicians to look beyond their differences and focus on improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, stressing that political power is temporary.
“I am appealing to our politicians. They might have differences, but we should know ultimately that Nigeria is bigger than all of us. It is very important for our political leaders to always look inwardly on how to better the lot of the average Nigerians,” he said.
The Ooni also said his prayers during the seclusion would cover Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly as the country looks ahead to future elections. He commended Nigerians for participating in the recently concluded Osun governorship election, noting the importance of citizens retaining the opportunity to freely choose their leaders through the ballot.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as non-interference in the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, saying such restraint could strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.
Beyond the national message, the Ooni used the commencement of his sacred seclusion to reflect on the deeper cultural meaning of Olojo and the responsibility of preserving the heritage entrusted to the present generation.
“As I enter into the sacred period of seclusion, I am reminded that Olójó is not merely a festival; it is a living expression of our ancestral identity, spirituality and collective memory,” the Ooni said.
He described the seclusion as an opportunity to return to the source, honour the wisdom of those who came before and prepare to carry that heritage responsibly into the future.
“Seclusion gives us the opportunity to return to the source, to honour the wisdom entrusted to us by those who came before us, and to prepare ourselves to carry that heritage responsibly into the future,” he said.
The monarch also connected the preservation of Olojo’s sacred traditions with the potential of cultural heritage to support meaningful and sustainable tourism, stressing that opening Ile-Ife’s heritage to the world must not compromise the values, sanctity and authenticity of its traditions.
“As we preserve the sacred tradition of Olójó festival, we must also ensure that our cultural heritage becomes a bridge for meaningful and sustainable tourism; one that welcomes the world without compromising the values, sanctity and authenticity of our traditions,” he said.
He identified preservation, readaptation, commerce and digital transformation as essential considerations for the future of tourism in Nigeria.
“The future of tourism in our nation must therefore be rooted in preservation, readaptation, commerce and through digital transformation,” the Ooni said.
The Ooni’s seven-day seclusion is traditionally regarded as a period of spiritual withdrawal, reflection, prayer and ritual observance, allowing him to deepen his connection with the ancestral heritage of Ile-Ife and prepare for the sacred rites associated with Olojo.
The 2026 Olojo Festival is scheduled for September 24 to 28 in Ile-Ife, with a series of traditional, cultural and ceremonial activities leading to the festival’s major rites and the Ooni’s emergence in the sacred Aare Crown.
With the commencement of the seclusion, Olojo 2026 has entered its deeply spiritual phase, combining the ancient traditions of Ile-Ife with the Ooni’s wider call for national unity, responsible leadership and the preservation of cultural heritage for future generations.