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Ooni Of Ife Launches Aje Festival In Ilara-Epe

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3 years ago

Aug 17, 2021.

Ronny Ikpoto

Ooni Of Ife Launches Aje Festival In Ilara-Epe

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. . .direct Oduduwa Descendants, Ajero and Olugbon grace event.

The Ooni of Ife, Adimula of Yoruba Land, Oonirisha Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, on Monday, 16th August 2021, launched the first-of-its-kind Aje festival in Ilara, Epe.

The resplendent and glamourous festival was held at the Royal Palace of Ilara kingdom amidst unconfined ecstasy, delirium and fanfare.

The event featured “Iwure” by the Olori “Osugbo,” cultural display and the Aje festival rites, anchored by Oonirisha himself. After completing the Aje festival rites at the Old palace premises, Alara and his guests returned to an electrifying musical performance by Waka Queen, Salawa Abeni.

Speaking in an interview with EkoHotBlog, Alara stated that it is on record that the stool of Alara, which predates the 13th Century, has its origin from Ile-Ife where it is a norm to celebrate the Aje festival. He asserted that replicating the rich cultural festival in the Ilara kingdom is the right step in the right direction. The festival, he said, can unleash economic prosperity on the community, adding that the kingdom of Ilara would become “a beehive of economic activities.”

“The past 12 months have been historic in the annals of Ilara Kingdom. Today, being a Monday coincides with my first coronation anniversary. Monday in Yoruba means “Ojo aje,” so, in our own wisdom, we decided to celebrate the day with the celebration of the Aje Festival. It is our own contribution to complement what the Lagos State Government is doing to make the Epe Division a hub of economic activities. This is our contribution spiritually,” Alara stated.

The initiation rites of the Aje Festival were presided over by Oonirisha, the Adimula of Yoruba Land, His Royal Eminence, Ooni Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja the II. Oba Olufolarin disclosed that in years to come, the festival will be of huge tourism potential to the entire Epe Division.

READ ALSO: Alara Of Ilara To Celebrate 1st Enthronement Anniversary In Grand Style

“We have the Sungbo-Eredo here, we have done Kilajolu festival in May which was also witnessed by Ooni Adimula and then today, we have initiated Aje Festival. It is part of the promise that I made to my people when I took over about a year ago and I’m glad that they all appreciate it and the city is bubbling, this whole place has come alive and our people are happy,” Alara stated.

Oba Francis Olusola Alao, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon and Vice Chairman, Oyo State Oba’s Council, said that the Aje Festival of the olden days is still relevant and significant to the growth of trade, commerce and industry in the present world.

He noted that the difference is the approach but not without asserting that Aje festival itself is a festival of wealth, trade and commerce. He posited that it was pertinent to celebrate the festival to preserve cultural heritage all over Yoruba land.

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Oba Dr Olusegun Aderemi (JP), the Atayero of Aramoko, Ekiti State expressed delight at the choice of Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo by the people of Ilara kingdom and in his message to them said: “A lot of glamour and prosperity is beginning to spring up, and most especially today that the Aje Festival has been launched by the Oonirisha. The wealth has been established today and it will forever remain here.”

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