By Gbenga Olarinoye

This year’s Olojo Festival may have come and gone but not the indelible imprints it has left in the minds of the people, both indigenes of the ancient town of Ile-Ife and those who converged on the city to celebrate what the Yoruba  regard as the celebration of the creation of the universe.

•The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi,Ojaja 11 and his wife Olori Zainab Wuraola, during a reception hosted by Oonirisa of Ife to mark the 2016 Olojo Festival celebration in his palace at Ile Ife, Osun State.PHOTO BY AKEEM SALAU

Mention must be made of the symbol and custodian of Yoruba customs and traditions, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Babatunde Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who since his assumption on the throne about a year ago has brought great honour and prestige to the throne.

There was wild jubilation in Ile-Ife last Saturday as Oba Ogunwusi, appeared to the waiting mammoth crowd with the historical and sacred Aare crown on his head which he wore for the first time since his enthronement late last year.

The crown, which weighs over 7kg, is always worn once in a year by the Ooni during which time major gods in the city are appeased.

The Aare is a special crown made of 151 items, among  which are a cutlass and hoe.  The crown is expected to be worn during the annual Olojo festival in the ancient city.

The festival, which is believed to be a celebration of the creation of the first dawn, the first afternoon and the first night in creation of mankind, witnessed the presence of dignitaries, artists, traditional rulers and government officials.

As the Ooni walked out with the Aare crown, thousands of viewers, both  indigenes and non-indigenes of Ile-Ife prayed and hailed the king.

Dressed in all white apparel, Oba Ogunwusi, who had been in seclusion for seven days, left his residence for Oke Emese (Emese court) within the palace premises, around 4: 00 pm to perform final rites before he wore the mystical Aare crown.

At exactly 5pm, Oba Ogunwusi came out with Aare crown on his head and a white dove, praying for the peace and progress of the ancient city and the black race.

He subsequently proceeded amidst prayers and several gunshots to Oke Mogun(Ogun shrine) and Idi Aje two major ports of call during Olojo Festival where rituals and prayers were said for the peace of Nigeria and Yoruba race.

Among the procession of Ooni to Oke Mogun were former military Governor of Western Region and Aare Tobalase of Ife, Admiral Akin Aduwo; the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Carlos Tredjo Sosa; former President Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, a Special Adviser to Lagos State governor, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, Professor Adeyemi Aderibigbe, Leader of OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasheun; Minority Leader of Osun state House of Assembly, Hon. Safiriyu Akinwole; royal fathers led by Ajero of Ijero kingdom, Oba Adewole Joseph; Ife chiefs, priests and members of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, as well as indigenes and tourists.

Before the Ooni commenced the trip, his traditional emissaries known as Emese, who wore only shorts, wielding coated canes performed the symbolic sprint to Oke Mogun shrine three times to clear the route the monarch would take.

The historic Olojo 2016, which started  on Monday, 10 October 2016 had witnessed many events among which are Gbajure Cultural Carnival; Ooni’s Football Challenge; inter-school debate; quiz competition.

Others are Ayo Olopon traditional game, Yoruba cultural entertainment night, music concert, Omidan (Sisi) Olojo Cultural pageant, and fashion show.  It will be climaxed on Monday with the grand finale royal outing when the Ooni is expected to move round the town visiting specific places especially his ancestral Giesi compound at Agbedegbe.

It will be recalled that the Ooni had on Sunday October,9 2016 moved into seven-day seclusion immediately after unveiling the replica of Aare Crown in front of Oke-Mogun Shrine, Enuwa roundabout.

During the commissioning, the Ooni prayed for the peace and tranquillity of the ancient city and Nigeria at large.