The Ancient city of Ile-Ife, popularly known as the Cradle of the Yoruba race, was thrown into spiritual ecstasy and traditional euphoria as the 2025 edition of the World Ifa Festival reached its peak on Saturday June 7, 2025 with thousands of Ifa devotees, traditional enthusiasts, and tourists trooping into the sacred city to celebrate the divinely inspired tradition of Ifa.
The atmosphere of Ile-Ife especially around the Ooni of Ife’s Palace, Oke Itase Temple and Enuwa Square, remained electrifying throughout the week as traditional drummers, colorfully adorned devotees, high-ranking priests and priestess, and curious visitors from across the globe converged to honor the sacred oracle of Ifa, believed to be the custodian of divine wisdom.
The week-long festival, under the spiritual and royal guidance of the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula and Permanent Chairman of the South West Traditional Council of Nigeria, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, commenced on Sunday, June 1, and featured a mosaic of ancestral rites, sacred chants, botanical divinations, cultural processions, lectures, and international spiritual collaborations.
One of the attendees of the Festival and APC chieftain and Woman Leader, Mrs. Atinuke Adelakun (Nee Oke), and a devotee of Olu Ofin deity in Itabaale Olugbode, Ibadan Oyo State, eulogized the traditional ruler and chief custodian of tradition, the Ooni for making the festival a remarkable and historic one for Ifa worshippers within and outside Nigeria.
The APC Woman leader expressed her appreciation to the Ooni for sustaining the legacy of Ifa through unwavering royal support. Mrs. Adelakun stated: “This Festival is not just a religious experience. It’s a living museum of African identity, a testament to resilience and pride.
“Every chant, every drumbeat speaks to our shared history and heritage.”
The APC Chieftain seized the medium to praise those persons IFA has chosen to serve her in any capacity as being fortunate as according to her, she has always wished and fervently prayed to be a priestess of Olu Ofin deity, a wish she says she still strongly believe will come to pass.
However, reports indicated that Mrs. Atinuke Adelakun’s cousin was chosen by the deity to serve her but emphatically refused. Unfortunately, according to their tradition, it is only when the chosen priestess dies, only then can a new priestess be chosen to succeed the former.
According to Mrs. Atinuke Adelakun, there are several persons in their position who wish to have the opportunity but are not privileged.
The APC Chieftain expressed dissatisfaction over how some individuals chosen by Ifa to serve but for whatsoever reasons are reluctant and unwilling to serve the deity. She described such individuals as being myopic and insensitive. According to her, there are dire consequences for such people’s actions.
The APC woman leader seized the opportunity to pay homage to Ooni Ogunwusi for his support in sustaining the legacy of Ifa.
Also, she seized the opportunity of the World Ifa Festival to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whom she referred to as the Grand Patron and father of the nation, for his resilience in moving the country in the right direction.
Mrs. Atinuke Adelakun also showered encomiums on her good friend, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, as well as the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, for their good works and support for all efforts to bring lasting peace to the nation.
Furthermore, she charged all traditional leaders, her friends who are top government functionaries and admirers across Nigeria and in the Diaspora to continue to be steadfast and be good IFA Ambassadors.
The World Ifa Festival in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, is an annual celebration of Ifa, the Yoruba system of divination. The festival includes various ceremonies, rituals, and cultural displays, with the Ooni of Ife (the traditional ruler) playing a central role.
The 2025 edition attracted people from different parts of the world who are interested in Ifa and Yoruba culture.