Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on Friday joined the people of Osun for the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival on Friday.
PUNCH METRO reported on Friday that the Arugba, (Maiden without a blemish), led the procession of people through the city and then to the river.
In a video shared by ovation publisher Dele Momodu, Adeleke was seen arriving at the Osun-Oshogbo ancient groove.
Momodu also appreciated Adeleke for his commitment to revamping heritage sites across the state, as well as, investing in the state’s tourism.
Momodu captioned his video: “What a spectacle!! GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE joins his people in Osogbo to celebrate the Osun festival… He’s investing heavily in Tourism, Arts & Culture by revamping heritage sites across the State.”
Governor Adeleke, also took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the festival and reiterate on his promise to rebuild the tourism and cultural industry in the state.
“We were delighted to join our people for the Osun Osogbo Festival today. I stated that our administration has a tourism and cultural industry agenda. Our agenda targets genuine globalization of our cultural heritage as a major building block of our economy.”
The Osun Osogbo Festival is a vibrant and culturally rich event celebrated annually in Osogbo, Nigeria. Rooted in Yoruba traditions, this festival honors the goddess Osun, the deity of water, fertility, and healing.
The festival takes place at the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its lush forest and sacred shrines. This grove is home to various artistic sculptures and carvings.
A highlight of the festival is the colorful river procession to the Osun River. Devotees, adorned in vibrant attire, carry offerings and dance along the streets before reaching the riverbank.
The festival is a celebration of art and culture. It showcases traditional Yoruba music, dance, and drama performances that captivate the senses.
Devotees offer sacrifices to Osun, which often include food, drinks, and other items. These offerings symbolize gratitude and seek her favor for various aspects of life.
