Odun Olodumare Festival: Oluwo advocates for unity under one God
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The fourth edition of the Odun Olodumare Festival, initiated by Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, held on November 9th, 2024, was a resounding success. The festival, which aims to promote the worship of only one God, brought together people from diverse backgrounds, including Christians and Muslims.
The festival was a soul-stirring celebration that united people from diverse backgrounds in worship and praise of the only one God Almighty.
As the sun rose over the ancient city of Iwo, the air was electric with anticipation. People gathered at the festival grounds, their faces aglow with expectation as the sound of drums and chanting filled the air.
The festival featured various activities, including “Ewi Olodumare”, praising of God, cultural dances, Christian and Muslim renditions.
The Oluwo wore the traditional “Ofi” and “Abeti-aja,” and his queen also in traditional attire symbolizing Yoruba culture and tradition.
The Odun Olodumare Festival was more than just a celebration – it was a movement. A call to awakening, a summons to return to the source of all power and wisdom.
Oba Akanbi, highlighted the importance of returning to the roots of Yoruba heritage, which emphasizes the exclusivity of worshipping God Almighty. He emphasized that the Yoruba people’s forefathers were monotheistic, worshipping only Olodumare, and that this focus on one God is essential for the community’s progress.
“The beginning of religion starts with only one God Almighty. Our culture and tradition, devoid of deity worshipping and idolatry, allow us to go directly to God Almighty.”
The monarch urged the Yoruba race to seek wisdom from God to harness the mineral resources in their domains effectively. He stated that by fostering a strong spiritual connection with God Almighty, the Yoruba people can maximize the potential of their resources and contribute significantly to the world.
Criticizing the dependence on foreign nations to dictate the value of Yorubaland’s mineral resources, such as gold, lithium and other mineral resources, Oba Akanbi noted that embracing God Almighty would empower the people to break the curse of not utilizing their own resources to their full potential.
He also highlighted the need for Nigerians to unite under the worship of one God, “Olodumare” to address the country’s ongoing economic struggles, saying that divine intervention is crucial in removing any curses resulting from being ungrateful to God.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s economic hardships since independence, Oba Akanbi asserted that seeking wisdom from Olodumare would lead to solutions for the nation’s problems. He noted that focusing on one God would help Nigeria learn from past challenges and grow stronger as a nation.
He stated that royal fathers should represent God rather than deities to receive true power. He cautioned against idol worship, asserting that only slaves engage in such practices.
Oba Akanbi’s mission is to bring people of various religious backgrounds together while denouncing occultic practices and ritual activities. He emphasized that Iwo would set an example for the world by putting God first and fostering a strong spiritual connection with the divine.
Oba Akanbi believes that prioritizing faith in God will not only revitalize Nigeria’s economy but also ensure a prosperous future for Iwo town.
