The topmost African monarch who is the spiritual head of Yoruba race worldwide majestically arrived the venue in company of his pretty queen Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi (Yeyelua) at about 9:45pm to a thunderous welcome by the multitude of participants drawn from Nigeria and abroad to witness the annual cultural event.
Addressing the Ifa worshippers at the traditional Cross over night into the New Year where messages were passed to the nation through the oracle, Ooni Ogunwusi who has since enthronement partaken in all traditional events in the town with a view to showcasing Yoruba culture to the world described IFA as a God's angel of wisdom sent to this world by Olodumare to guide the mankind and thus attributed the pilgrimage nature of his Oketase house as a reflection of his greatness and excellence.
"IFA Orunmila was sent by the Almighty Olodumare as an angel of wisdom to guide the mankind. Just like Muslims and Christians go to Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem for their holy pilgrimages every year, traditional worshippers across the globe annually converge on the hill top of Agboniregun otherwise called Oke Itase ,Ile Ife to celebrate Ifa festival because of Orunmila's greatness and excellence as the Uniqueness of the event was that it also marked the 1st day of New Year in traditional religion".
The celebration afforded ifa worshippers and tourists the opportunity to visit a palm tree beside the Ifa Temple at Oke Itase believed to be the first palm tree in the whole World with which Orunmila came to the earth to seek God's favour and blessings in the New Year according to history, it is the mysterious site through which sacrifice is made to God through Orunmila as explained by the Ooni.
Arole Oduduwa ended his address with a promise to ensure that all countries of the world have representatives during next year's celebration just as he called for unity among the black race globally.
According to him, if people can realize the importance of all deities in the ancient town, it will improve the economy of the country.
At around 12midnight, the first message of the year was taken from Ifa to all mankind by Chief Ifagbenusola Atanda. The message Oba Ogunwusi promised not to take with levity by offering necessary sacrifices required.
On his own
The Chief Ifa Priest popularly called Araba Agbaye, Chief Adisa Supremo said the importance of Ifa Celebration cannot be underestimated.
The Jaaran Of Ile Ife, High Chief Adekola Adeyeye warned Ifa Worshippers against division among themselves also enjoined them to always keep their temple clean. He also appealed to governments at all levels to show more interest in the tourist sites abound in Ile Ife.
An anthropologist and the Director, Centre for Social Science and religious studies from France, Professor Stefani Capone said she considered her presence in Ife necessary being the source of mankind.
Some tourists from the United States of America also narrated their experiences.
One Mysterious sign at the sight was that all cola nut dumped at the sight to offer prayers to God at the event disappeared in less than 24 hours which according to them signified acceptance of prayers offered.
This year IFA World Festival was climaxed the early morning of Sunday 5th June 2916 When thousands of the participating worshippers and priests from all over the world stormed the palace on a traditional thank you visit and to brief him on what transpired at the crossover night leading to the new year message of IFA ORUNMILA
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