The ancient city of Ile-Ife erupted in celebration on Friday night as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, concluded his seven-day seclusion, a central ritual of the annual Olojo Festival.
Marking the symbolic end of his private spiritual retreat, the Ooni offered prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity across Nigeria.
The seclusion, an integral aspect of the festival, is a sacred period during which the Arole Oduduwa withdraws from public life to commune with the ancestors, cleanse the land spiritually, and intercede for his people.
It is believed that in those days of solitude, the monarch petitions divine forces for protection and progress for both the Yoruba nation and the country at large.
Speaking after his emergence, the Ooni explained that his time in isolation was dedicated to supplication for Nigerians from all walks of life.
“I have just left my seclusion. I am always happy to be there, and while inside, I prayed for the well-being of Nigerians. I prayed for families, for widows, for our leaders, and for everyone seeking divine help. Now, as I return to the people, I extend those same prayers openly,” the monarch said.
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His appearance was greeted with jubilation by residents, tourists, and dignitaries who had gathered in Ile-Ife for the festivities.
Many described his prayers as timely and reassuring, especially against the backdrop of Nigeria’s current economic and social challenges.
The 2025 Olojo Festival, themed “Cultural Rebirth,” commenced on Thursday, September 25, with traditional games, a cultural talent hunt, and a colloquium.
The Ooni’s emergence on September 26 coincided with cleansing rituals, which palace officials described as his “terrestrial message to the world.”
The festival continues on Saturday, September 27, when the Ooni will wear the sacred Aare crown, believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba race.
Other scheduled events 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 conclude on Monday, September 29, with ancestral rites and the final stage of the cultural talent hunt. For many Nigerians, the Ooni’s seclusion and prayers go beyond tradition. They embody his role as a spiritual father, cultural custodian, and source of hope in a nation yearning for unity, stability, and renewal.
