Osun-Osogbo: Worshippers Hail Monarch, Governor At Grand Finale

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…Many Foreign Devotees Boycott Annual Cultural Festival

OSOGBO –The grand finale of the annual Osun Osogbo Cultural Festival took place in Osogbo, Osun State Capital, Nigeria but many foreign devotees were con­spicuously absent.

Investigation conducted by Saturday INDEPENDENT re­vealed that though the festival was well attended by devotees from across the federation but not many of foreign devotees from Brazil, Cuba, United King­dom, United State Of America and Caribbean countries were present.

The reason for their low at­tendance was not immediately known but it was reliably gath­ered that it might not be uncon­nected with series of political vi­olence and attacks that happened in the state some months ago.

Meanwhile, thousands of dev­otees from across the federation thronged Osogbo for grand finale of the festival.

The traditionalists and wor­shippers converged the Osun Sacred Grove to offer prayers for peace in the land and beyond.

As early as 7am, devotees dressed in colourful traditional attires thronged the UNESCO World Heritage Site carrying kegs, bottles and other contain­ers to fetch water from the sacred Osun River, which many believe possesses healing, cleansing and protective powers.

The atmosphere around the sacred grove was electrifying as traditional drummers, praise singers, dancers and masquer­ades entertained the crowd, while women adorned in white garments and coral beads danced in honour of Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility, love and abundance.

The colourful procession led by the Arugba from the Ataoja’s Palace to the sacred grove drew cheers from thousands of spec­tators who lined major streets despite early morning showers.

Representing Governor Ade­mola Adeleke at the event, Depu­ty Governor Prince Kola Adewu­si congratulated the Ataoja and the people of Osogbo for pre­serving the globally acclaimed festival.

He said the administration remained committed to promot­ing culture and tourism as viable drivers of economic growth and employment for the people of the state.

Adewusi recalled that Gov­ernor Adeleke had promised during last year’s festival to re­construct the long-abandoned road leading to the Osun Sacred Grove, noting that the project had since been completed and com­missioned.

He urged the people of the state to support the governor’s re-election bid in the August 15 governorship election, saying his administration had delivered on its promises.

In his royal remarks, the Atao­ja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, offered prayers for peace, prosperity and abundant har­vest in Osun State and Nigeria. The monarch also prayed that Governor Adeleke would return next year to celebrate the festival as a re-elected governor.

Among dignitaries at the event were the Aare Ona Ka­kanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; Commissioner for Cul­ture and Tourism, Hon. Abiodun Bankole Ojo; founder of Nike Art Gallery, Chief Nike Davies-Okun­daye; the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Musa Animasaun; the Araba of Osogbo; and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clem­ent Adesuyi Haastrup, who was represented by high chiefs from Ijesaland.

The festival also boosted com­mercial activities across Osogbo as traders, food vendors, trans­port operators, artisans and hotel owners recorded brisk business. Markets and roadside stalls around Olaiya Junction, Oja-Oba, Ita-Olokan and roads leading to the Ataoja’s Palace were filled with visitors pur­chasing beads, local fabrics, artworks, souvenirs, food and drinks.

The influx of visitors resulted in heavy vehicular traffic on ma­jor roads within the metropolis, particularly around Olaiya Junc­tion, Jaleyemi, Oke-Fia, Station Road and routes leading to the palace and the sacred grove, as traffic officials worked to ease congestion.

Security was tight throughout the celebration, with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil De­fence Corps, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Osun Amotekun Corps, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and local vigilante groups deployed to strategic locations to ensure a peaceful festival.