The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has unveiled sponsors of the 2026 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife.
The unveiling was held at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife on Thursday as part of the activities for the annual cultural festival.
Oba Ogunwusi appreciated some of the corporate sponsors whom he described as faithful brand supporters who have been identifying with the Yoruba cultural pride.
The traditional ruler thanked the long-standing sponsors of the festival, including the State Government, Nigerian Breweries, Seaman Schnapps, MTN and Adron Homes.
He also welcomed new sponsors including Moniepoint and Ojaja Drinks, saying their support would contribute to the success of the festival.
Speaking at the event, the Osun Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Ojo Bankole, appealed to residents and visitors to maintain peaceful coexistence before, during and after the festival.
Bankole commended the Ooni for his fatherly role in promoting peace and unity, stressing that Olojo Festival was a peaceful cultural celebration.
Otunba Ayo Olumoko, the Chief Festival Administrator of Olojo Festival, said that he had been involved in the festival since 2016, when the Ooni began the current phase of its organisation.
Olumoko said the festival had witnessed distinctive developments and improvements over the years, adding that the House of Oduduwa had continued to drive most of its cultural programmes.
He added that Olojo Festival had continued to attract long-standing corporate sponsors, while new organisations were also joining the festival as partners and supporters.
The Chief Festival Administrator of Olojo Festival explained that the corporate aspect of the festival would commence on Saturday.
According to him, Ooni will proceed into seclusion and later return to address the people of Ile-Ife and the Yoruba race.
Olumoko admonished the people to participate in the festival and support its cultural and economic activities, including the Adire Oduduwa textile hub established five years ago to create employment opportunities for women. (NAN)