.. as Ooni sets to visit Ekiti with Array of Monarchs
The Ekiti State government has given certificate of recognition to officially approve the splendid celebration of Itajero festival. Itajero is an annual cultural festival which commenced two years ago in Ijero-Ekiti, Ijero local government area of the state.
Speaking with Journalist on Thursday in his office in Ado-Ekiti while receiving the delegates from Ijero Community, the Director General ,DG, Bureau of Tourism, Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre stated that the government decided to give certificate of approval for the celebration of the festival in order to promote culture and tourism in the state.
The Ijero delegates were Fadeke Oguntunwase and Monisola Akano.
Ojo Lanre stressed that tourism development and heritage preservation are part of the development agenda of the state governor Biodun Oyebanji for effective leadership and economic vibrance.
While expressing optimism that the gesture by the government would boost the state IGR for economic prosperity, Ojo Lanre added that the government approval would also enable the community to leverage on tentacles for the expansion of the festival in a unique way to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Yorubas.
His words:
“The vision of the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji is that we should enhance all the tourism potentialities, either festivals, heritage, history and culture, to be able to lure people to Ekiti State. The more people come to Ekiti, the more money circulates in the state.
“So, the people of Ijero want to collaborate, with the Bureau of Tourism at enhancing the Ijero Festival. They have held two consecutively, so this is going to be the third one.
“Ajero in the olden days, as one of the sons of Oduduwa, People converge to congregate at the frontage of Ijero’s palace, to discuss progress and development of the urban land.In all these years, they sit in a circular manner, Ajero would be at the center, at the intersection.
“They would pray for the urban land, discuss challenges or Any threat. They would discuss opportunity, and talk about how to move the urban land in general forward. So, this is the basis of Ita Ijero.
” The Ijero people now want to reactivate, recreate. They started two years ago. But people thought they couldn’t get why or what they are doing, they thought it’s another fashion parade.
“No! it’s not another fashion parade. Ita Ijero has a content. The content is historical.The content is deeper. And the content cuts across all Yorubas This is what they are going to do this year.
” It’s about culture, heritage and history. It’s about the generation evolving, to know that we have culture, we have history, and we have story.
“And today, we are going to give them their registration.
Their license to operate, their certificate to operate.
Speaking on behalf of the Ijero Community,Fadeke Oguntunwase disclosed that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi would storm this year’s festival with more than 45 prominent monarchs for royal and traditional blessings and Colour.
Her words:
“On behalf of the monarch of Ijero-Ekiti, His Imperial Majesty Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, the Ijero-in-Council, the management of Ijero Planning Committee, we want to appreciate your gesture. We want to thank the Director, Bureau of Tourism, Barrister Wale Ojo Lanre, for this gesture that you have given us today.
“And you have said it, that the Itajero is a historical event that will foster development, enhance unity in our community.
The Ooni of Ife,Oba Eniitan Ogunwusi is coming to grace the occasion with over 45 Yoruba obas.
“So Itajero this year, coming up on August 21, is going to be the biggest festival ever in the history of Nigeria. We are mobilizing from all over the world.
“The Itajero will be a blessing to the economy of Ekiti State. Because in the total, we will be having about roughly 40,000 people visiting that day. And it’s a week-long thing.
“The advantage of, one of the best features of Itajero is that they are arranged in a circle of enjoyment. Itajeru has four exits and entries
The car control is special coupled with the four exits and four entries. This year, we are expecting spectacular Itajero
“We pray that this year’s event will be outstanding and it will be very successful. We enjoined you, once again, that you give us the maximum cooperation and everything that we need to make the event a beautiful one this year, 2026.
“On behalf of Ijero sons and daughters, all men abroad, we thank you once again”, Oguntunwase said.