The 46th Onipokia of Ipokia land, prescribed authority and paramount ruler of Ipokia local government, HRM, Alayeluwa Oba Dr. Yisa Olusola Adeniyi Olaniyan, Ariwigbade Oshingin II, wishes to congratulate the Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adimula, HIM Alayeluwa Oba Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, on the forthcoming Olojo festival 2021. As the Ooni is set to adorn the sacred Aare crown and make atonement on behalf of the Yoruba race and the entire world.
In a press statement signed by Onipokia’s Media Consultant, Dare Gbadebo, Oba Dr. Yisa Olaniyan, wishes Ooni Ogunwusi, a joyous celebration and prays that the Royal Majesty lives long, to celebrate more of it, as he continues to lead the affairs of the Yoruba race, being a leader and spiritual father that he is to us all.
The Olojo festival is a socio-cultural rite and spiritual exercise that connotes a strong indication of God’s creation, existence of mankind and the day of the first dawn on earth. This day is historic in the Yoruba pantheon as the Ooni would be adorned with all the paraphernalia of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race.
This practice is an age-long tradition in Ile-Ife, Osun state. Marked by prayers, songs and fanfare, where the Ooni of Ife wears a sacred crown, known as the Aare crown to offer supplications and atonement for the peace and prosperity of the entire human race. The Aare crown which symbolizes the authority of the Ooni of Ife is adorned with beads and weighs more than 50kg. The word “Olojo”, means “Owner of the Day”.
“Onipokia gbaa l’adura pe a seyi samodun o, a ti jo fi omode je Oba, a o jo je ogbo lagbara awon alale ile Yoruba”.
-Ademola Alade