Olojo Festival 2023: Ooni Enters Seclusion, Says His Prayers Will Focus on African Unity, National Prosperity

The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II on Sunday proceeded on the annual 7-day seclusion rite as Olojo festival 2023 takes off.

The seclusion exercise which officially began on Saturday is a period of fasting and prayer by the Ooni to appease God and seek blessings for the land and the living.

Addressing journalists on his way out of the Ile Oodua, his palace, the revered monarch said his prayers will focus on the swift actualisation of Pan-Africanism and economic prosperity of the country.

Ooni Ogunwusi who appeared in his usual white traditional attire laced with colorful ancient beads, added that he will use the highly spiritual moment of seclusion as a point of contact to God Almighty towards ending the economic hardship and youth restiveness in the country.

He said, "The Pan-Africanism is unnegotiable for the continent to move forward among global committee of nations. The Pan-Africanism in our behaviour must be very apt and on point. There must be more of acting than talking and I want to believe in in President Tinubu’s interest in this mission as demonstrated in his speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

"In recognition of my roles and that of other traditional rulers as important stakeholders in making this laudable mission a reality, I from the royal Court of Oduduwa has been making meaningful engagements will relevant African leaders and our Afrobrazillians as some of them will be part of this event.

"Further to this, I will use this very special moment of contact with my ancestors to pray for a swift actualisation of this mission.", Ooni said.

The Arole Oduduwa who is the Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) further appealed to government to be more sensitive to the people's yearnings as they run the affairs of the country, adding that he will use this sacred moment to intercede for the land spiritually which he said will surely be granted.

"Our government needs to be more people sensitive at this trying times. The palliatives are not cutting across and the youths are becoming more restive. 

"Our nation needs spiritual intervention to overcome these challenges and this will form a central point in my prayers and requests from my ancestors and there has never been time my prayer requests during this period is not answered by the Almighty, it has never happened", Ooni said

Olojo is a unique annual cultural celebration in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, the source and cradle of Yoruba race. The event marks a homecoming and unification of all the descendants of Oduduwa globally.