The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has unveiled sponsors of the 2026 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife.
The unveiling took place at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife on Thursday as part of activities for the annual cultural festival.
Oba Ogunwusi appreciated the corporate sponsors, describing them as faithful brand supporters who had continued to identify with Yoruba cultural pride.
He thanked 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 the Olojo Festival was a peaceful cultural celebration.
Otunba Ayo Olumoko, the Chief Festival Administrator, said 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 said the festival had retained long-standing corporate sponsors, while new organisations were also joining as partners and supporters.
Olumoko explained that the corporate aspect of the festival would begin on Saturday.
According to him, the Ooni would proceed into seclusion and later return to address the people of Ile-Ife and the Yoruba race.
He urged 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.
