Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi urges Nigerian leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare, unity and national development
Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has urged Nigerian political leaders to prioritise the welfare of citizens and the national interest as Ile-Ife marks the 2026 Olojo Festival.
The Ooni, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, made the call on Monday after paying homage and performing traditional rites at his royal family home in Ile-Ife.
The rites formed part of the traditional observances associated with the annual Olojo Festival.
Ooni Ogunwusi urged political leaders to place the collective interests of Nigerians above personal and political considerations, saying public office comes with a responsibility to improve people’s lives and strengthen national unity.
He also called on Nigerians to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and development, stressing that progress requires commitment from both leaders and citizens.
The monarch spoke as thousands of traditional rulers, government officials, politicians, cultural enthusiasts and tourists gathered in Ile-Ife for the 2026 festival.
The Olojo Festival carries deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Yoruba people and is traditionally associated with the commemoration of the emergence of daylight after primordial darkness.
For the Ooni, however, the meaning of the celebration extends beyond Yoruba cultural heritage.
“This Olojo has given us a sample of appreciation. It is a global festival, a festival of thanksgiving. The day that the day comes out across the universe, we celebrate it here in the ancient city of Ile-Ife,” Ogunwusi said.
He described the festival as a celebration of thanksgiving, hope, restoration and divine intervention, particularly at a time when communities and countries are facing various challenges.
The Ooni said the symbolism of daylight offered a message of renewal and expressed hope that Nigeria’s circumstances would improve.
“It gives us hope that our condition as a nation is turning around,” he said.
Ogunwusi also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and offered ancestral prayers and blessings for the President, while expressing hope for peace, stability and sustainable development across Nigeria.
The monarch further urged political leaders to regard public office as an opportunity to serve humanity rather than a means of personal enrichment or division.
Beyond its spiritual and cultural significance, the festival also generated increased commercial activity in Ile-Ife.
Traders, transport operators, food vendors, hospitality businesses and other service providers benefited from the influx of visitors who travelled to the ancient city for the celebrations.
The annual festival has consequently become an important part of Ile-Ife’s cultural tourism calendar, bringing together traditional institutions, government representatives, visitors and members of the Yoruba community from Nigeria and abroad.
The 2026 edition once again placed Ile-Ife in the spotlight as a centre of Yoruba cultural heritage while providing a platform for traditional rites, prayers, cultural expression and community gathering.
For the Ooni, the message accompanying this year’s celebration was as much about the future as it was about heritage: a call for leaders and citizens to work towards a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.
Culture4 years ago
