Olojo Festival: Ooni Goes Into 7-day Seclusion, Urges Tolerance, Unity

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has commenced the mandatory seven-day seclusion in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the traditional rites preceding the annual Olojo Festival.

A statement by the director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, stated that the monarch declared that this year’s spiritual holiness would be dedicated to prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, and sustainable progress, admonishing relevant stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers across the length and breath of the Oduduwa race worldwide to embrace unity as the only veritable tool for achieving these goals.

The Olojo Festival, meaning “the Day of the First Dawn”, is celebrated to mark the day the Almighty created the earth. It is one of the oldest and most respected cultural festivals in Oduduwa land, symbolising creation, renewal, and the spiritual authority of Ile-Ife as the cradle of mankind.

The statement said that the Ooni prayed for Nigerians across all regions to experience divine blessings, healing, and national recovery before entering seclusion.

“Ooni Ogunwusi particularly urged Nigerians to embrace unity, peace, tolerance, and love for one another, noting that without these values, the country would continue to struggle with division and underdevelopment.

“He encouraged the citizens to rise above ethnic and religious differences, stressing that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity.

“I am praying for Nigeria and for 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,” the Ooni said.

He further called on political leaders to act responsibly, urging them to govern fairly, justly, and compassionately.

According to him, leadership must always prioritise the welfare of the people. He adds that no society thrives 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 meditate and pray. It is seen as a sacred responsibility that connects the monarch with the divine and his ancestors, enabling him to intercede for his subjects and the nation.