The Ooni of Ife praised sponsors and encouraged more tourism development at the 2024 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, celebrating the event’s cultural and spiritual significance.

In preparation for the 2024 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, commended loyal sponsors while welcoming new ones.

He encouraged them to continue supporting tourism and giving it the socioeconomic relevance it deserves.

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During the festival flag-off ceremony held at his palace in Osun State, with the theme “Evolving Transformational Domestic Tourism with Community Festivals,” the Ooni expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of sponsors and the state government.

The Olojo Festival, which holds deep ancestral and spiritual significance, celebrates the first dawn and honours Ogun, the god of iron and the first son of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba people.

The Ooni highlighted the importance of the festival, especially the “Aare Crown,” a sacred and mysterious entity believed to carry human-like qualities.

He shared that numerous prayers offered through the crown have been answered with testimonies over the years, reinforcing the cultural heritage.

The Ooni further stressed that the festival symbolises the rebirth of the sacred crown, “Ade Aare,” known as the crown of all crowns. He emphasised that this cultural legacy is a blessing for all and must be upheld.

“We are not idol worshippers; these are traditions left by our ancestors that work and will continue to work,” he noted.

Mr Abiodun Bankole-Ojo, the Osun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, urged sponsors to develop tourism sites like the Oranmiyan Groove, rather than focusing solely on monetary and material donations.

He highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to improve tourism in the region.

The Grand Finale of the Olojo Festival, featuring cultural games, cleansing rituals, and a royal procession, will take place between September 26 and 29, 2024.

The event will attract both Nigerian and international tourists to celebrate the heritage of the Yoruba people.