Festivals

Owa-Ale Urges Government to Harness Olokemeji Festival

Published

12 months ago

October 27, 2025

Olokemeji TakoTabo Festival attracts global visitors as Owa-Ale of Ikare urges government to harness its huge tourism and economic potential

Olokemeji TakoTabo Festival has once again brought the ancient town of Ikare-Akoko in Ondo State to life, as the Owa-Ale of Ikare, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin, called on the Federal and State Governments to harness the festival’s vast tourism and economic potential.

Also read: Akwa Ibom Food Festival 2025 Celebrates 156 Cuisines

Speaking at this year’s edition of the festival, held at the revered Hill of Progenitors, Oba Adedoyin described it as one of the largest traditional gatherings in Nigeria, attracting visitors from across the country and abroad.

The monarch said the festival is not only a cultural celebration but also a deeply spiritual event where indigenes come together to pray for peace and prosperity.

He used the occasion to offer prayers for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, urging divine guidance for their administrations.

Tracing the origin of the Olokemeji TakoTabo Festival, Oba Adedoyin explained that it began with Ikare’s first settlers, led by Owa-Ale Agbaode, who migrated from Ile-Ife and established the town on the sacred hills where the festival continues to hold today.

He appealed to the government to partner with the community to elevate the event into an international tourism brand and to address poor road networks within and around Ikare-Akoko to improve accessibility for visitors.

According to him, “This is a massive festival. You can see the crowd, the people, and even foreigners from the UK and US attending. It is time government took this seriously as a national tourism treasure.”

Chief Modupe Akerele, the Yeye-Asa of Ikare, described the festival as a powerful moment of unity and renewal for the community, celebrating peace and continuity in Yoruba heritage.

High Chief Lawrence Olaleye-Omotosho, the Olukorola of Okegbe Quarters, highlighted the historical significance of the sacred hills, noting they once served as a refuge during wars and now drive local economic activities through hospitality and trade.

Participants like Prince Adeniran Adeyemo praised the event’s spiritual power, saying prayers offered on the mountain always receive divine answers.

Also read: Olokun World Festival 2025 Boosts Culture, Economy

With its blend of spirituality, history, and cultural pride, the Olokemeji TakoTabo Festival continues to position Ikare-Akoko as a potential hub for cultural tourism in Nigeria.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

2 weeks 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.”