10 October, 2021
Dupson Collins
The colorful performance of the Igbos Traditional Group has no doubt added glam and glitz to the 2021 Ulefunta festival being celebrated by the Deji of Akure, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II.
The Igbos community was led to the palace and venue of the event by the Asiwaju of Igbos in Akure kingdom, Chief (Dr) Titus Umenweke, the Managing Director and Chairman of Unitus Nigeria Ltd.
Ufulenta Festival is celebrated after the five days of Eru Owa, when the princes and princesses present kola to the Deji of Akure, while the Deji in turn, gives them gifts of tubers of yam.
Commercial activities of the provincial city at this period will be shut down, while traders take their wares to Idi Agba over a period of seven days. It is a holiday period for the king and no entertainment is allowed, as the whole town remains silent.
The Festival has a historical and cultural significance. The first is being the period that the Deji goes into seclusion. During this period, from ages past, there will be no noise or drum or any ceremony whatsoever. Markets are closed within this period of seven days throughout the kingdom and there is no observance of any activities.
When the Deji comes out of seclusion after seven days, there is then a celebration by the whole of the town. Masquerades and all the sons and daughters of Akure are expected to come and pay the Deji his traditional Ulefunta homage after he emerges from seclusion,”
Speaking with newsmen at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Asiwaju of Igbos congratulates the monarch for the successful completion of his seven days seclusion and celebration of this year Ulefunta festival.
He described the reign of the monarch as the most peaceful in the history of Akure, adding that Akure has experienced tremendous changes and development infrastructural wise since the monarch assumed the throne of his forefathers.
” Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi is a blessing to the people of Akure; he is accommodating and treat all equal without minding your tribe. He loves Igbo Community and we will continue to provide necessary support for him whenever he calls on us”.
He tasked all the Igbo residents in Akure to continue to cooperate with the monarch, promising his loyalty to the Imperial Majesty at all time.
