OONI ADVOCATES FOR A GIVING SPIRIT AMONG HUMANS AS OLOKUN FESTIVAL HOLDS IN ILE-IFE

The Arole Oduduwa His Imperial Majesty Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife has called on humans to embrace the spirit of giving to the needy among them.

This was contained in a statement by the foremost traditional ruler on Saturday while commenting on this Year's Olokun Festival holding at the Ile Oodua, the Ooni's Palace, Enuwa in the ancient African City of Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba race. 

The Ooni specifically emphasized giving cheerfully and maintaining a pure heart as these are the two significant aspects of the Olokun Festival as embodied in the "Efun"(literally white), a symbol peculiar to the Olokun deity.

"In another milestone of creating the crest of meaning, celebrating, and upholding the thousands years of sacred culture and heritage passed down to us by our Ancestors, yesterday, I led the descendants of Oduduwa across the globe and millions of others to broadly celebrate the deity renowned as Olokun.

"Olokun is one of the 401 Òrìṣàs revered by her purity and blessed by Olodumare to govern material wealth, and worldly treasures, psychic abilities, dreams, meditation, mental health and water-based healing. Olokun is one of many Orisa known to help women that desire children.

"As many already know, giving is a strong and significant spiritual activity as it registers directly in the heart of Olodumare, but without purity of heart your giving is nothing in the face of Olodumare. It is particularly so when giving to those truly in need. “Efun” which means “to give” and “purity of heart” plays an integral part before, during and after the Olokun festival as she is the custodian of giving and gives to all as they so desire", Ooni said.

"It is my prayer for you that as you begin a new season, you’ll remain pure and give selflessly in love, as both elements are intertwined, and I assure you that Olodumare will favour the works of your hand. Happy Olokun Festival. @ Ooni's Palace,Enuwa Ile-Ife".