Olojo festival: S’African monarch seeks end to conflict among Africans
Olojo festival: S’African monarch seeks end to conflict among Africans
His Majesty, Raba Gaye Konjwa of the Ndebele Nation, South Africa, has called on Africans to unite and solve challenges confronting the continent.
Konjwa spoke in Ile-Ife, Osun State, at the grand finale of this year’s annual Olojo festival, which climaxed with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, adorning the sacred Are crown.
Konjwa, who attended the ceremony with a large delegation, also urged Africans living outside the continent to return home and assist in providing solutions to challenges confronting the continent.
Lamenting the division in the continent, the royal father called for protection of the culture and traditions of the people, while demanding an immediate end to infighting among Africans.
He added, “We have been so concerned about the issues in Africa; we Africans are so divided. We need to unite and protect our tradition. The enemy is behind it (our division) and is busy exploiting us and encouraging us to kill one another. I am with His Majesty (Ooni of Ife), my colleague within the Sovereign Congress of African leaders.
“Let’s stop this thing of being selfish and not giving visas (to one another). Wherever you are as Africans, let’s come back home. You don’t need to run away from your home.”
The Osun State Commissioner for Political Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Dr Biyi Odunlade, said the essence of the festival was to showcase the cultural values of the race, adding, “The essence of Olojo festival is to celebrate us as a race; celebrate our language, our culture and traditions. Hence, the people rally round the Ooni to ensure that our culture and traditions are adequately preserved.”
Credit: Punch Newspaper
