Reject rituals, celebrate honest labour – Olubaka charges youth at Aje festival

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Olubaka of Oka Akoko, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON, has called on the people of his domain to embrace hard work and resist the temptation of ritual killings and illicit wealth.

He made the call during the maiden edition of the Aje Festival, which was held at the palace in Oka-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The revered monarch, while expressing satisfaction with the successful hosting of the festival, described it as a symbolic celebration of prosperity and not an occult practice, as often misconstrued.

He said, “Aje itself, when you translate it into English, is ‘wealth’. We pray for our traders, our farmers, and everybody that has to do with one another to continue to enjoy the fruit of his labour or her labour and that their businesses continue to flourish. And that is the essence of celebrating Aje Festival and it’s unique.”

Oba Adeleye noted that the inspiration to celebrate the Aje Festival in Oka was drawn from the Ooni of Ife’s annual observance of the tradition.

“The Aje Festival that took place today. It is very historic and unique; it’s one of a kind. This is the first time, and historically we came from Ife. Yearly, His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oodua, Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, CFR, the Ooni of Ife, celebrates the Aje Festival.

“And the last celebration came up recently. Iya Alaje was invited by the Iya Alaje Oodua. And when she came back, she briefed me that, Kabiyesi, we have to commence the celebration of this festival.

Lending her voice to the message of the Olubaka, the Iyalaje of Oka Akoko, Alhaja Bolaji Kayode, noted that the festival is rooted in spiritual well-being and community progress, urging residents to distance themselves from criminal acts.