The Paramount Ruler of Yorubaland, Arole of Oodua, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has began annual 7-day seclusion rite being part of the symbolic activities marking annual Olojo festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Ooni on Sunday, went on a prayer request over lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which placed Universities in Nigeria under lock and key.
According to the statement signed by the Monarch media aide, Otunba Moses Olafare, released to Pressmen, Ooni who appeared in his usual white traditional attire laced with colorful ancient beads:
Told newsmen on his way out of his Ile-Oodua palace that he will use the spiritual moment of seclusion as a point of contact to God Almighty towards resolving all issues in Nigeria as the country gears up for next year’s General election.
The Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) explained that the government must as a matter of core urgency end the strike to avert the looming anger of Nigerian youths.
“The youths are angry and no one can blame them for that. Just imagine the number of months they have been kept out of school, ASUU and government must unite and end this because we cannot handle the anger of the youths if they go out of control.
“They have started blocking highways and even threatening to lock the airports, that is an indication that they have been pushed to the wall. This is my seventh year on the throne and I have been serving humanity with special focus on the youths of our country.
“Apart from investing hugely in human capital development and capacity building, I have engaged many of the youths as handlers of my projects and they have shown excellence in leadership. So I appeal to our government to look at this direction and make the necessary ammendment.
“During the recruitment process at the newly unveiled OjajaMore, over 50 percent of applicants are undergraduate students who are tired of staying at home which speaks to the fact that the ASUU strike has done a lot of damage. It is avoidable and it should be ended by the government and ASUU for the benefit of the youths.
“Next year’s election is equally another strong prayer request with which I am proceeding into seclusion, I want Nigerian youths to refuse to used as thugs during the election while I pray that the process goes seamlessly acceptable to all the political parties for peace and prosperity of our land.” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
Explaining the potency of the seclusion exercise, the Ooni who will be incommunicado one week and not grant audience within the days in seclusion said, “There has never been time my prayer requests during seclusion is not answered by the Almighty, it has never happened. It is a period of fasting and prayer to appease God and seek blessings for our land.
Olojo festival connotes a strong indication of God’s creation and the day of the first dawn on earth, it is celebrated annually in Ile-Ife by all descendants of Oduduwa globally. While the this year’s Olojo festival has already witnessed several activities, other key events lined up to make this edition superlative include as follows:
Friday 23rd September is for the ILAGUN (Dog sacrifice). Ojo Owode (Community cleaning) Oonirisa Terrestrial Message to the world and Oonirisa’s Adire Hub Fiesta.
Saturday 24th will witness the Grand Official Ceremony for year’s Olojo celebrations after which the Ooni will adorn the sacred Aare Crown in a procession to the Okemogun shrine in honour of an agelong covenant with Ogun(God of Iron). Ife Grand Resort Musical Concert will hold much later same day.
Sunday 25th is for the Grand Finale Reception Party at the palace courtyard and Monday 26 will be for the Oonirisa Ancestral Traditional Propitiation which is a symbolic processionled by the Ooni to his family compound at Agbedegbede street in Moore area of Ile-Ife
Then followed by Sinamania/BUGA Poolside Dinner while Wednesday 28th will climax the 2022 Olojo festival with Ife and Oodua clubs paying Homage to the Ooni.