Ooni concludes seclusion at Olojo Festival, offering prayers for Nigeria’s unity, peace, and prosperity as celebrations continue in Ile-Ife

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, offered heartfelt prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity across Nigeria as thousands of residents, tourists, and dignitaries celebrated his reappearance.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2025 Begins in Ile Ife With Rich Traditions

The monarch’s seclusion, an age-old rite, is a sacred period of isolation in which the Arole Oduduwa withdraws from public life to commune with ancestors, cleanse the land, and intercede for his people.

Palace officials described his emergence as a “terrestrial message to the world.”

Speaking after his retreat, the Ooni explained that his solitude was dedicated to supplications for Nigerians from all walks of life.

“I prayed for families, for widows, for our leaders, and for everyone seeking divine help,” he said, stressing that the prayers extended to all communities nationwide.

Themed *“Cultural Rebirth”*, the 2025 Olojo Festival began on Thursday, 25 September, with traditional games, a cultural talent hunt, and a colloquium. The Ooni’s emergence on 26 September coincided with cleansing rituals symbolising renewal for the Yoruba nation.

On Saturday, 27 September, the Ooni will don the sacred Aare crown, believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba race.

Other highlights include the Ojo Ajaye Grand Royal Reception, the Adire Oduduwa Cultural Exchange Exhibition, and the Ooni’s Ife Award for Community Service 2025.

The celebrations will close on Monday, 29 September, with ancestral rites and the final stage of the cultural talent hunt.

Also read: Osun State Pledges Global Recognition for Olojo Festival

For many Nigerians, the Ooni’s seclusion and prayers transcend tradition, reinforcing his role as a cultural custodian, spiritual father, and symbol of hope in a time of economic and social strain.