Olojo: Ooni commences 7 days seclusion, unveils ‘Ade Are’

To commemorate this year’s Olojo Festival, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), on Sunday evening, moved into Iledi, a secluded place, where he is expected to spend seven days.

Olojo festival, an annual traditional event would come to a climax on Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Historically, Olojo festival is a major annual event in Ile Ife, set aside  to commemorate the creation of the universe and the week long event will climax with wearing of “Ade Are” (Are crown), a special crown worn once annually by Ooni and the symbolic walk from Ile Oodua, Ooni’s palace to Oke Mogun.

Nigerian Tribune, on Sunday evening, observed that the road leading to Ooni’s palace from Moore was closed to traffic as Oba Ogunwusi moved into Iledi, his first port of call when he started the rites for installation as Ooni last year November.

While explaining details of what the royal father will be doing during his seclusion, the director of media and public affairs to Ooni, Comrade Moses Olafare, said “that Oba Ogunwusi is celebrating his first Olojo as Ooni and as such, he is leaving no stone unturned to make the festival a memorable one.”

He  said Ooni will, during the seclusion, pray for the country and her leadership at all levels.

“Ooni Ogunwusi will also spend time praying for Yoruba race and her people. He will also seek support of ancestors for peace and progress of Ile Ife and its people. His duties during the period basically is to pray,” Olafare said.

However, before the monarch began his seclusion, he earlier unveiled replica of “Are crown” mounted at Enuwa junction and implored Nigerians to seek peace and ensure they coexist in peace wherever they find themselves.

The monarch said he would be praying for peace, said replica of “Are crown” is erected at the spot to beautify it and make Yoruba people have opportunity to appreciate it and pass it down to generations after.