The Aare Atunluse of Aworiland and the Chairman, Mapcotec Nigeria Limited, Aare Segun Osifeso, has described the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, as a beckon of hope who has brought peace, unity and development to Yoruba land since his ascension on the throne of his forebears.
Aare Osifeso, who made these remarks over the weekend during a chat with newsmen at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State on the occasion of this year’s Olojo Festival, noted that the glamour the Ooni has brought to the annual festival has further projected it as a festival which celebrates the black race all over the world.
He applauded Oba Ogunwusi for his re-engineering effort, which has lifted the Olojo Festival as the number one cultural festival which has constantly ensured the promotion of the cultural heritage and tradition of the Yoruba people with the array of dignitaries from different parts of the world who come annually to Ile – Ife to celebrate the event.
The prominent Yoruba community leader and the first Survey Navigator in Nigeria, Aare Osifeso, further noted that Oba Ogunwusi has succeeded in bringing his influence to bear on the annual cultural fiesta with its promotion to a worldwide festival which celebrates the black race and mainly unites the Yoruba people across the globe.
Aare Osifeso expressed his delight in seeing the cradle of the world, the – Ife community, playing host to the large crowd that graced this year’s occasion to appreciate God for his creation and their trust that Olodumare had blessed the day for them.
He further lauded the Ooni for using his seclusion before the festival to pray for the prevailing peace, unity and development in Yoruba land and also for peace to begin to reign across the length and breadth of the country.
He said: ” I admonish the Ooni for his ingenuity that has further promoted the annual Olojo Festival in not only bringing people together from far and near to celebrate creation, Olodumare and the beauty of culture in Yoruba land, but also full of fun fair which yearly brings out the best of Yoruba culture celebrating civilization and creation. My wife, the Yeye Aare Atunluse of Aworiland, Chief (Mrs) Olufunke Osifeso, who is also here present and I, therefore, felicitate and celebrate the Ooni and the entire Yoruba race in general for Ooni Ogunwusi’s unwavering commitment to the promotion of this foremost cultural heritage of the black people all over the world, as well as on the occasion of this year’s commemoration.”
In her remarks on the festival, the Yeye Atunluse of Aworiland, Chief (Mrs) Olufunke Osifeso, described the theme of this year’s festival, “Evolving Transformational Domestic Tourism with Community Festivals,” as apt, more so that it aimed at projecting community festivals as the people’s strong heritage, their strong culture and tradition, which needed to be upheld forever.