Lovers of Osun and tourists trooped out in their numbers on Friday to participate in the 2025 grand finale of Osun festival in Osogbo, Osun State.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Osun State deputy governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, wife of former governor of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, traditional rulers and traditionalists including the Araba Awo of Osogboland, Chief Ifayemi Elebubon.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, Larooye ll in the company of the maiden carrying calabash containing sacrificial items, was welcomed into the shrine-venue with drummers and groups of devotees in varying attires.
Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by his deputy, stressed the need for religious harmony among various religious groups and his administration’s commitment to promotion of culture.
He acknowledged the economic value of the UNESCO recognised festival to the people and state adding that the government is embarking on massive infrastructural development to boost tourism in the state.
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, called for the preservation of cultural artefacts and relics of the Yoruba race.
Such a move, Babayemi contended, would help to secure the future of the race, especially in the area of the Yoruba language which he lamented was gradually going into extinction.
Felicitating with the people of Osogbo and Osun devotees in particular, Babayemi in a statement emphasised that consistent celebration of cultural festivals in Yoruba land would keep the consciousness of their historical backgrounds alive.
