A high chief in Ife, Joseph Ijaodola, has appealed to youths in the ancient community to promote peaceful co-existence as the Olojo festival continued on Saturday.

Ijaodola, who is the Lowa Adimula, made the plea in an interview on the sidelines of the festival.

He congratulated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for witnessing his maiden edition of the Olojo festival.

Ijaodola also commended the monarch for initiating empowerment programmes for youths and widows in the state.

He appealed to residents, especially youths, to show love and hospitality to visitors who had turned out to witness the annual festival.

Also speaking, another high chief, Chief Adebowale Olafare, said the festival was to promote peace and unity in the community.

Adebowale, who is the Lowa Ate, urged residents to use the period to pray for blessings, joy and promotion.

“We don’t want crisis or record of any disaster during and after this festival. Anyone that witnessed the Ife/Modakeke crisis would not pray for war again,’’ he said.

He called on residents to support the Ooni in uplifting Ife as well as promoting peace and unity among traditional rulers.