Celebration of the 2022 Olojo festival climaxed on Friday, September 23rd, 2022 as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, leaves seclusion amidst prayers and words of exhortation to his subjects.
The paramount ruler who met with a multitude of his subjects from all walks of life inside the Ile Oodua Palace spoke on the reality of generational curses as a major impediment to the progress of people, especially in this part of the world.
The prayer and exhortation with the Ooni held on Friday, September 23, 2022 between 7pm to fifteen minutes past 8pm.
“Most people are suffering based on what their forebears have done and the bloodline they come from, not necessarily because of what they have done. This much was revealed to me in seclusion and because I have met with the host of heaven in the last seven days of seclusion, I’m here to assure you that every curse whether from your parents’ lineage, your spouse’s linage or even the ones you picked up from where you went to relax and have a good time will not follow you home today.”
“This year’s Olojo festival is unique and very important as it marks my seventh year on the throne and we all know what the number seven connotes. I have been in consultations with my forebears for the past seven days and I have heard and seen things and that’s why I pray for you today that every curse which followed you here today will not go back home with you again in the name of Olodumare.”
“I want everyone here this evening to believe that only Olodumare has the power both in heaven and on earth to cancel every negative power that has being working against our destiny and that’s why you need to pray fervently for Olodumare’s intervention to surmount all challenges of your life today,” the royal father stated.
While stressing the importance of the Olojo’s Festival, Ojaja II revealed that the festival is the festival of Olodumare himself and all his creatures who are in the vicinity of the celebration will always come around to celebrate with humans.
In his words; “This celebration is unique because we celebrate Olodumare, the Owner of Life himself and all his creatures who are in the vicinity will come around in human form to celebrate with us. So, therefore, don’t be surprise if I tell you that animals, birds even ants take up human forms to join us in celebrating this day.”
“Rather I will urge us all to strive to get our own blessings and tap into all the spiritual opportunities Olodumare has made available to us during this celebration.”
Interacting with journalists immediately after the prayer and exhortation session, the Iyalaje Oodua, Princess Toyin Kolade, stressed the need for love and unity as the 2023 elections draws near.
She said; “There is no doubt that only love and unity will help our nation to grow from strength to strength. Like you said, the 2023 general elections is at the corner and we need to be united so that we can achieve our goals as a people.”
“Nigerians must be united in seeking for a solution to the myriad of problems that are confronting us and that’s why we need to all look inwards for the solutions we seek.”
The Iyalaje who described the Olojo festival as an avenue to bring to the fore the values, customs and culture of Yorubaland stated that; “This age-long festival serves as a symbol of our most cherished norms and values and one of the festivals that bring the Yoruba people together.”
“Like our revered royal father, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, just told us, this festival celebrates the day the Almighty, Olodumare, created the earth and that’s why all creatures of the Almighty celebrate this day with humans.”
The Ooni had earlier gone into seclusion with a promise to use the highly spiritual moment of seclusion as a point of contact to God Almighty toward resolving all issues in Nigeria, as the country gears up for next year’s general election.
The festival continued on Saturday, September 24 as the Oonirisa put on the sacred Aare crown and prayed for the people.