By Mojisola Oladele
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has commenced his seven-day seclusion in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the traditional rites preceding the annual Olojo Festival.
According to a statement by the Director, Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch declared that this year’s spiritual holiness would be dedicated to prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, and sustainable progress.
” I am praying for Nigeria and for Nigerians. I seek God’s mercy upon this land. May we all experience peace, unity, progress, and the blessings of the Almighty. To the sons and daughters of Oduduwa everywhere, I urge you: be peaceful, be united, and let us work together for progress.”
The Monarch urged Nigerians to embrace unity, peace, tolerance, and love for one another, noting that without these values, the country would continue to struggle with division and underdevelopment.
Oba Ogunwusi encouraged the citizens to rise above ethnic and religious differences, stressing that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity.
The frontline Traditional Ruler called on political leaders to act responsibly, urging them to govern with fairness, justice, and compassion.
He admonished relevant stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers across the length and breath of the Oduduwa race in the world all over to embrace unity as the only veritable tool for achieving these goals.
The seven-day seclusion is a period of spiritual purification during which the Ooni abstains from public appearances and engages in meditation, and prayer. It is seen as a sacred responsibility that connects the monarch with the divine and his ancestors, enabling him to intercede for his subjects and the nation.
Traditionally, the seclusion period also prepares the monarch for the climax of the Olojo Festival, when he will appear wearing the sacred Aare crown, a relic believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa.
