The annual Olojo Festival is fast approaching, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has once again highlighted the cultural and spiritual significance of this revered event. In preparation for the 2024 edition, with the theme Evolving Transformational Domestic Tourism With Community Festivals, the Ooni has expressed deep gratitude to the loyal sponsors and welcomed new ones on board, urging them to continue supporting tourism in Nigeria.
Speaking at the official flag-off event held at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the Ooni emphasized the socioeconomic benefits that tourism brings to the region. He appreciated the role sponsors play in making the festival a success, noting that their support goes beyond material contributions—it helps preserve and promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
I want to appreciate you all, our sponsors, for everything you have been doing, for always responding to my calls. May God bless you, and may our ancestors guide you all. I appreciate the state government as well.
The Olojo Festival is an ancient cultural event that celebrates the Day of the First Dawn and honors Ogun, the god of iron and the first son of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba people. It’s a time for spiritual reflection, prayers, and thanksgiving, and the symbolic Aare Crown, or Ade Aare, plays a central role in the festival.
The Ooni elaborated on the spiritual power of the crown, describing it as the crown of all crowns with a divine connection that transcends time. He spoke about the many answered prayers and testimonies linked to the prayers rendered through the sacred crown during the festival, calling it a source of blessings for the people of Ile-Ife and beyond.
The Aare Crown does everything a human does. It is a very spiritual and sacred crown. I have personally witnessed its power and prayed through it, and I have seen numerous testimonies over my nine years on the throne, the Ooni stated.
He emphasized that the Olojo Festival is not just a cultural event but a spiritual experience, stressing the importance of upholding the heritage left behind by the ancestors. We are not idol worshippers,these are things our ancestors left for us, and they continue to work,he added, affirming the enduring significance of the crown and its role in the festival.
The Ooni also reminded everyone that Olojo marks the beginning of the new year in Ile-Ife, coinciding with the New Yam Festival across different communities, as tools made from iron, such as cutlasses and hoes, play a crucial role in farming and harvesting.
Osun State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Abiodun Bankole-Ojo, echoed the Ooni’s sentiments, appealing to corporate sponsors to go beyond monetary and material contributions. He urged them to invest in developing key tourism sites within the state, such as the Oranmiyan Groove, to further boost domestic tourism.
In addition, Mr. Ayo Olumoko, the festival’s chief consultant, extended invitations to both local and international tourists to experience the grandeur of the Olojo Festival firsthand.
The 2024 Olojo Festival promises a series of exciting events from September 26 to 29, 2024, including traditional games, cultural talent hunts, and the iconic Aare Crown procession. Here's a glimpse of the festival’s key dates:
September 26,Ayo Olopon Traditional Game, Festival Cultural Talent Hunt Auditions, and the Olojo Festival Colloquium.
September 27 ,Ojo Ilagun (Community Cleansing) and Oonirisa’s Terrestrial Message to the World.
September 28, Festival Grand Finale, Ojo Okemogun, and the Aare Cultural Procession.
September 29,Ojo Ajoyo (Asekagba), Grand Royal Reception, Adire Oodua Cultural Exchange Exhibition, and Oonirisa’s Ife Award for Community Service 2024.
As the Ooni concluded, Olojo is a time for blessings, and the crown brings these blessings to our people once every year. Let us continue to cherish and uphold this sacred tradition.
If you’re passionate about culture, spirituality, and tourism, the 2024 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife is the place to be. Come witness the magic of tradition, the power of the crown, and the communal spirit that defines the heart of Yoruba culture.