2018 Olojo Festival, a money spinner – Hoteliers, restaurant operators, commercial cyclists praise Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has received a whale of commendations for his strident and proactive efforts which ensured the rebranding of this year’s Olojo Festival

The consensus view of the cross section of economic stakeholders in Ile – Ife unanimously commended Ooni Ojaja for rebranding the yearly Olojo Festival in a refreshingly style that stoke the economy of the historical city and state buoyantly for the benefit of the people.

This was the consensus response of stakeholders in Ile Ife metropolis who were interviewed by TTH on the economic impact of 2018 Olojo Festival

According to Mr Lawrence Adewale, President, Hospitality Management Global Services, operator of House 4, Eleyele Ile–Ife, said “As a native of Ile–Ife who has witnessed Olojo Festival in the last 25 years, can authoritatively tell you that this is one of the very best Olojo festivals which has ever been held in Ile–Ife. Kindly mind my words; I said this is one of the Very best Olojo Festival that has ever held in Ile–Ife. I am sure of what I am saying. 2018 festival is not one which is solely devoted to fulfilling the spiritual necessities of the festival. It is not also one marked for the cultural or traditional worshippers alone, but one which is packaged with full intention of fulfilling the traditional order and unlocking economic gateway for the people.

He revealed “I must also confess to you that, this is the first Olojo Festival when all the hotels in Ile-Ife and its environs recorded almost full booking. From September 27 to 30, most hotels in Ile–Ife recorded full bookings and we made money. We experienced increase in patronage   in all our points of revenue. The last three days of the festival were so memorable and economically beneficial. We are eager to welcome this kind of Olojo Festival. I must on behalf of some of us in the hotel service industry in Ile–Ife thank the Ooni Ojaja II for this wonderful package which has led us to have a positive effect of the cultural- tourism festival”.

Awodire Sola, a motorcycle commercial operator said “I doff my cap for Ooni Ojaja. Look , everything this Ooni has been doing, the events, meetings, festivals, carnivals, revival, prayer conferences, all have  been having  positive economic effects  on we the okada operators . I can tell you that in this year alone over 30 events have been held here at Enuowa Palace which involved moving or conveying people from the palace to other parts of the town. We have been consistently making money. However, 2018 Olojo Festival has been another tale of good fortune. To some of us, it is Olojo Fortune Festival because we must not deny the blessing which this year’s festival has brought in terms of upsurge of tourists and patrons for us”.

Madam  O Ayo ,  .one of the  restaurants  operators , opposite the museum , “ Ooni Ojaja II was enthroned because of us here , I mean those of us that have shops offering various services here . Since the coronation of this Ooni, our life has been buttered. Yes. We don’t have off seasons again. Ooni Ojaja II has severed off dry season from our story.   It is from one event to another. He has the aura that attracts and magnetises visitors and tourists which has a soothing effect on us via patronage. For 2018, I must tell you this is a wonderful Olojo Festival. It is one festival that I slaughtered over 70 goats which accompanied several moulds of pounded yam along the throats of several Olojo Patrons. Honestly 2018 Olojo was Olojo festival of fortune for us. We really had a hectic time attending to deluge of visitors. We pray for a very long life for Ooni Ojaja who has rebranded Olojo Festival as a carnival which spins and boosts market for us”.