Activities marking the celebration of 2025 edition of a major traditional festival in Ilare-Ijesa, Osu-Oja festival, also known as Odun Ade has commenced in the town today.
Osu-Oja Festival which is celebrated by the monarch of the town with members of the royal family and the entire people of Ilare is celebrated once in every three years.
A statement by curator of the festival, Dr. Tope Abiola, the Odole-Owa of Ilare states that activities marking the festival has started today, Thursday 17th April with the Egigun Oba, Gbadolofi which has gone round the town with it’s traditional prayers .
The statement also noted that the grand finale of the programme will come up on Saturday 19th April as the monarch of the town together with his chiefs, members of the royal family and other dignitaries will dance round the town with His Royal Majesty, Oba Adejoro Otebolaku,JP, Ogidan III, who will visit various quarters of the town with His Ade Are to shower prayers on the inhabitants of the town.
The Ade Are is the unique traditional crown brought to the Ilare Ile-Owuro by Ajaloru-Oro, the progenitor of the town from Ile-Ife.
Other programmes embedded in the 2025 edition of the programme are exhibition of the traditional crowns previously warned by the past 58 Obas in the town, it’s. Competition, Oguro competition and ijo oge (maiden dance by young damsels in the town.
Dignitaries expected at the programme include the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.
