Sam Philip
The Ulefunta Festival being celebrated by people of Akure Kingdom has been described as a means of promoting cultural heritage of the people.
Governor, Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stated this at the Ulefunta festival on Saturday which is being celebrated by the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration recognized the importance of cultural identity and its potential to drive economic growth and social cohesion in the state.
Ulefunta is a popular and respected festivals in Yorubaland and it is celebrated to showcase the rich culture of the people of Akure.
Oba(Dr) Aladeetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi had earlier gone into seclusion for seven days before returning to the palace.
At the seclusion, the Deji would have communed with the ancestors and prayed for his people and the kingdom.
At the grand finale of the event held at the popular M.K.O Democracy Park in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa said: “The festival symbolizes the strength of our tradition, the unwavering faith of our ancestors, the resilience of our people, and the beauty of our diversity. It reminds us of our shared history, our common values, and our collective aspirations.”
The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Rasheed Badmus, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting Akure trafy institutions and preserving its cultural heritage.
He said: “As we celebrate this sacred tradition, let us reflect on the significance of Ulefunta. Let us remember the sacrifices of our forebears, who laid the foundation for our prosperity. Let us honor their legacy by embracing our common heritage and fostering unity and cooperation in the Akure kingdom.
“Kabiesi, your exemplary leadership, and vision have transformed Ulefunta into a festival of distinction, comparable to the Ojude Oba in Ijebu. Beyond its cultural essence, it has become a unifying platform for Akure sons and daughters towards tackling contemporary socio-economic challenges and inspiring collective growth of their beloved kingdom.”
Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, I’m his address, described the Ulefunta Festival as an emerging national brand attracting widespread attention.
He explained that Ulefunta is an annual festival and it’s the peak of all traditional festivals in Akure Kingdom.
The Deji described the rebranding of the festival as a child of necessity that would encourage the rejuvenation of culture and draw global attention to the rich culture of Akure people.
Traditional rulers who came to celebrate the festival with the Deji include: Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, Owa of Igbara-Oke, Oba Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede, Alara of Ilara- Mokin, Oba Aderemi Adefehinti, Amapetu of Mahin kingdom, Oba Olusegun Akinyomi, among other prominent traditional rulers across the country.