Arole Oduduwa and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, has called on Nigerians to pray for peace and unity of the nation, as his kingdom cellebrates this year edition of Yeyemolu Festival.
While addressing a large gathering at the palace grounds, the royal father called on Nigerians to pray for peace, unity, and national healing, using the sacred occasion to offer heartfelt intercessions for the country’s well-being.
He said, “This is a time for deep reflection. We must return to the values that built us — community, truth, sacrifice, and unity. I pray for our dear nation, that peace may reign in all corners of Nigeria.”
The Yeyemolu Festival, celebrated annually, honours Queen Yeyemolu, the first wife of the first Ooni of Ife.
According to Yoruba oral tradition, after being displaced by a new wife and denied motherhood, Yeyemolu transformed into a sacred well within the palace, an act seen as a powerful symbol of purity, sacrifice, and divine essence.
“To this day, every reigning Ooni is believed to be spiritually married to Yeyemolu as part of a royal rite, emphasizing her continued spiritual presence in the lineage of Ile-Ife’s kingship.
“This year’s festival drew thousands of devotees and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and the diaspora. Many came seeking spiritual cleansing, fertility blessings, or simply to reconnect with their ancestral roots.
“The palace resonated with ritual dances, traditional chants, sacred drumming, and invocations offered by priestesses and worshippers.”
Among the faithful was Mrs. Morounkeji Adepoju from Oyo State, who shared her testimony:
“I battled barrenness for 10 years. After drinking from the Yeyemolu well, I conceived and gave birth to twins. Coming back here today is my thanksgiving to the goddess who gave me hope.
“This festival reminds us that we are never alone. Our ancestors walk with us, and Yeyemolu remains a powerful spiritual force. The Ooni deserves praise for keeping this tradition alive.”
A key highlight of the celebration was the procession of young maidens dressed in white, each carrying calabashes filled with sacred water from the Yeyemolu well symbolizing purity, renewal, and blessings.
The scene was enriched by folk songs and hymns extolling Yeyemolu’s virtues of loyalty, patience, and divine resilience.
“This year’s edition was particularly significant, with a record turnout of youths and diaspora Yoruba descendants, signaling a renewed embrace of cultural identity.
The Ooni, a passionate advocate for cultural preservation, praised the youths for reconnecting with their roots.
He told them, “Our heritage is our strength.
“By embracing our past, we empower our future. Festivals like Yeyemolu remind us of who we are — and of the spiritual power that connects us to our ancestors.”
“The 2025 Yeyemolu Festival was more than a cultural gathering—it was a spiritual reaffirmation of Yoruba identity, a call for national unity, and a heartfelt moment of intercession for Nigeria amid ongoing social and economic challenges.”
