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Osun-Osogbo Festival 2025: Colour, Culture, and Commitment to Preservation

Osogbo, Osun State – August 8, 2025 — The ancient city of Osogbo came alive yesterday as thousands of worshippers, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and the world gathered for the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, a UNESCO-listed celebration of tradition, spirituality, and heritage.

This year’s edition drew prominent dignitaries, including the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, who was ably represented by his Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adegboyega Adewusi. In his address, the governor expressed deep gratitude to attendees, especially the many foreign visitors who journeyed from across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and beyond to witness the event’s splendour.

The governor also paid homage to the revered monarch of the host community, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Laaroye II, the Ataoja of Osogbo, acknowledging his role in preserving the city’s cultural legacy. He reassured the people of the state that the government remains committed to protecting the Osun Sacred Grove and enhancing its historical essence.

Touching on infrastructure, the governor noted concerns about the poor condition of the road leading to the grove and promised that his administration would prioritise its rehabilitation to ensure easier access for pilgrims and tourists.

The festival itself was a spectacle of colour and rhythm. From the spirited beats of traditional drums to the flowing white garments of devotees, Osogbo became a vibrant stage where faith and culture intertwined. Foreign visitors mingled with locals, dancing, chanting, and echoing the festival’s famous call, “Ore Yeye Osun!”

One of the most captivating moments was the appearance of the Arugba, the votary virgin who carried the sacred calabash in a solemn procession to the grove—a ritual believed to bring blessings to the land. The scene was a tapestry of tradition, history, and unity, underscoring the festival’s place as one of Nigeria’s most treasured cultural events.

As the celebrations drew to a close, the message was clear: Osun-Osogbo is more than a festival—it is a living heritage that continues to draw the world to Osogbo, binding communities through the shared pride of culture and tradition.