Festivals

Olokun-Olosa Festival: Gani Adams Assures Guests Of Safety

Published

3 years ago

October 11, 2023

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has assured invited guests to the 2023 edition of Olokun/Olosa Festival of adequate security.

Adams who spoke at a press conference organised by the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) to unveil the programmes for the annual fiesta, said the 2023 edition of Olokun/Olosa Festival has spiritual connection that is tied to the liberation of Nigeria from socio-political and economic challenges and bondage that the country is at present experiencing.

Aare Adams, who was represented by the director of communications of OFF, Yinka Oguntimehin, said the programme for this year festival include a special vigil prayer session between 1am and 3am at Sultan Beach, with each participants holding a dove as spiritual symbolism of peace, blessing and national progress.

“We are coming up with different activities that offer hope for the country and Yoruba land. Part of the programme is the vigil prayer session to be conducted at the front of Olokun for two hours. It is also applicable to Olosa with each participant holding a bag of salt to pray for Nigeria, Yoruba land and all sons and daughters of our race.

“We are also expecting the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu as the special guest of honour, the commissioner for tourism, arts and culture, Hon. Toke-Benson Ayoyinka and other government officials at the grand finale.

“The Akran of Badagry, Oba De Wheno Aholu Toyi 1 is the royal host, even as Okere of Zaki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi, will be the royal father of the day.

“We also have the Onibereko of Ibereko Kingdom, HRM Oba Israel Adewale Okoya, the Aholu Henwa of Kweme Kingdom, HRM Oba Sejiro Ogungbe James Okiki Arolagbade and the Alapa of Egun Awori, Apa Kingdom, HRM Oba Oyekanmi Ajose, among others as royal fathers of the day.

“The security of all the guests is intact as we have concluded plans to ensure that the venue of the event is fully secured.

“The spiritual advantage and blessing of this year’s edition of Olokun/Olosa festival is not something you can figure out ordinarily as an individual. It is encompassing, revolving around every aspect of our lives.’’

Related Topics:Featured Festivals Gani Adams Olokun-Olosa

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

3 days ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”