Osogbo, Osun State— Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has vowed to tackle all identified deficiencies within the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in preparation for the 2026 festival.
Delivering a speech at the grand finale of this year’s festival on Friday, Governor Adeleke, represented by his deputy Kola Adewusi, committed to carrying out renovations to enhance the grove’s appearance and appeal.
“The festival is well-known globally, and my administration will address every lapse noted within the grove. I assure you that we will take necessary steps, particularly focusing on rehabilitating the road leading to the grove,” the governor stated.
Adeleke also expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their role in making the festival’s grand finale successful and praised the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, for his leadership, promising continued support.
In response, Oba Olanipekun lauded the governor’s increased focus on the Osun-Osogbo festival.
The event, which commenced on July 28, concluded with a symbolic ritual where a young maiden known as the Arugba carried a calabash on her head as an offering to the river goddess.
The Osun-Osogbo festival, with origins dating back centuries, is traditionally celebrated in the historic grove located on Osogbo’s outskirts between July and August. This sacred forest represents one of the last remnants of the original natural woodlands surrounding Yoruba cities before urban development.
Recognizing its cultural and global importance, the Osun Sacred Grove was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
For the people of Osogbo, the festival embodies the annual cleansing of the town and a cultural reunion honoring their ancestors and the kingdom’s founders.
By Enoch Odesola | August 8, 2025
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