The ancient town of Ile-Ife in Osun State was agog on Saturday as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and traditionalists commemorated the Olojo festival with prominent personalities and tourists from within and outside Nigeria in attendance.
Cultural groups thrilled the gathering with Yoruba songs and dance steps, in addition to modern music and dance steps.
The event came to a climax when Oba Adeyeye put on the oldest sacred crown and moved to the Oke Mogun shrine and performed traditional rites.
The traditional ruler prayed for his subjects and the entire Yoruba race as he invoked the spirits of his ancestors and forebears.
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Oba Ageyeye thereafter said, “My mission of blending tradition and modernity took yet another unique step in actualisation of the sacred assignment bestowed on me by my ancestors.
“Olojo festival is one of my sacred callings from my forebears and a deep connection to fulfilling their compelling vision and dreams which are inevitably an emblem in my royal mission.
“With my solemn duty of modernising the Yoruba tradition while preserving its age-long richness, sociocultural values and economic significance, I implore the whole race to rise and join me in this noble and epic journey.
“Through that same authority I speak life to you all; As Ojo ti ojo ti di ojo, all your earnest prayers will be answered speedily.”
