Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Larooye II, has dismissed claims suggesting links between the Osun Sacred Grove and a recently introduced festival known as Odun Omi.
In a statement released on Friday, the royal father refuted reports alleging that the grove and the renowned Osun-Osogbo Festival had been linked to activities involving a person associated with another palace in Osun State.
The palace clarified that it had no knowledge of any such engagement, stressing that no official communication or consultation was made with the Ataoja before the claims were publicised.
The development followed reports that a queen from the palace of the Ooni of Ife recently visited the grove and announced plans for another festival to be held at the site.
Sources had indicated that the Ataoja’s palace was not involved in the planning or announcement of the said event.
According to a statement issued by Oyindamola Olukanni, Head of Media, Our Heritage Branding, the consultant for the Osun-Osogbo Festival, “the grove and festival remained under the exclusive custodianship of the Ataoja of Osogbo”.
The statement emphasised that the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and its associated festival are sacred cultural and spiritual heritage institutions rooted in Osogbo land.
It further noted that these institutions are neither transferable nor replicable, and cannot be appropriated or relocated outside their historical and territorial context.
“Yoruba traditional institutions are guided by clearly defined territories, boundaries, lineage and custodial authority,” the statement read.
The Ataoja also stated that any narrative suggesting otherwise contradicts established traditional governance and cultural protocols.
He added that the palace does not recognise any claims linking Osogbo’s heritage to parallel festivals, including the so-called ‘Omi Festival’ or ‘Odun Omi’.
“No parallel, derivative, or similarly themed festival—by whatever name—has any legitimacy, connection, or recognition in relation to the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove,” the statement added.
The palace urged the public, stakeholders and the international community to rely only on verified information issued through its officially recognised representatives.
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