The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojájá II, will mark his 10th coronation anniversary with a grand Pan-African celebration tagged ÀṢÉ10: A Reign of Peace, Culture & Unity, aimed at promoting Yoruba heritage, unity, and global cultural reconnection.
Organised by SloweGanzi International, the week-long festival is scheduled to be held from November 30 to December 7, 2025, with activities spanning Lagos and Ile-Ife, the spiritual home of the Yoruba people.
According to the organisers, ÀṢÉ10 will bring together Yorubas and Africans in the diaspora from across the Americas, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world to rediscover shared roots, strengthen cultural identity, and promote peace.
The festival will feature a vibrant mix of exhibitions, documentaries, cultural performances, and academic forums exploring the Yoruba legacy and Pan-African collaboration. Other highlights include film premieres, art installations, fashion showcases, culinary festivals, and a royal banquet honouring cultural leadership under the Ooni’s patronage.
As part of its legacy component, SloweGanzi International will also unveil a mock-up of the Yoruba History and Arts Museum in Ile-Ife — a project designed to preserve Yoruba art, history, and philosophy for future generations.
Speaking about the forthcoming celebration, a representative of SloweGanzi International described ÀṢÉ10 as “more than a festival,” adding that it is “a call to reconnect and reassert Yoruba heritage as a global force for unity and peace.”
Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, who has been at the forefront of cultural advocacy, noted that the Ooni has redefined traditional leadership as “a living, evolving anchor for culture, unity, and development.”
Traditional rulers, scholars, artists, entrepreneurs, and diaspora leaders are expected to participate in the landmark celebration, which aims to promote tourism, youth empowerment, and economic growth, while positioning Ile-Ife as a global hub of African creativity and thought.
Ooni, Alaafin reconcile
The Guardian reports that the Ooni and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, had, in Lagos last Friday, reconciled following a recent face-off between the two foremost Yoruba monarchs over hierarchy.
The reconciliation, which aimed to mend historical rifts between the ancient thrones, was convened by businessman and philanthropist Kessington Adebutu as part of his birthday celebration.
Following their deliberations, the two monarchs jointly announced the establishment of the Joint Council of Yoruba Unity (JCUY). This new body is designed to promote peace, cultural preservation, and socioeconomic development across Yorubaland.
In a communiqué signed by both the Ooni and the Alaafin and witnessed by Mr Adebutu, the royal fathers reaffirmed their commitment to unity and mutual respect.
“Today marks a defining moment in our shared history. We are committed to promoting harmony among Yoruba sons and daughters and to upholding the sacred values of mutual respect and brotherhood bequeathed to us by our forebears,” the communiqué stated.
Recall that the Ooni and Alaafin’s spat began after the Ooni of Ife conferred the chieftaincy title “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” on businessman Dotun Sanusi. The Alaafin of Oyo immediately challenged the Ooni’s authority to bestow a Yoruba-wide title, asserting that his authority is legally and traditionally limited, and that only the stool of the Alaafin can validly confer such titles.
The Lagos meeting, attended by prominent Yoruba leaders, is being hailed as a significant step towards creating a structured framework for ongoing dialogue, superseding previous efforts that resulted only in brief symbolic gestures.
The convener, Mr Adebutu, stated that the coming together of the two foremost thrones would inspire “peace and progress” among Yoruba descendants worldwide.
