The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, has declared that he derived some of his powers from the existence of the Osun goddess.
Oba Oyetunji made this disclosure when a tourism, art and culture consultancy group, paid his a visit in his palace in Osogbo at the weekend.
According to him, the Osun deity is an immovable spirit which cannot be seen by anyone except him at the appropriate time, stating that selling the deity amounts to selling his throne.
He said the Osun goddess is the tool of his office apart from the staff of office presented by the Ajaguna.
He then vowed not to sell the Osun Osogbo deity, saying he will at all time guard it jealously.
The monarch said, “Osun Osogbo goddess is my stool of office and I am ready to protect her till I meet my ancestors. The deity is static, it cannot be moved and it is still there.
“It was bequeathed to me by my forefathers and I will continue to worship it. I derive some of my powers from the existence of the Osun goddess.
“The festival brings a lot of people from all over the world to this country annually and as a result boosting the state and national economies as well as preserving and promoting our cultural heritage.
“Every sector of the economy has benefited from the yearly festival ranging from tourism and hospitality, transportation, agriculture, oil and gas, transportation, telecommunications, finance and business, entertainment, information technology and manufacturing amongst others.
“We are ready to make this year’s celebration a huge success and distinct from the previous ones. Come August, I am inviting all from far and near to come and celebrate the 2019 Osun Osogbo festival with me”.
Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Williams Derrick, assured that the group will improve on the previous festivals with innovations that will not affect the myth and mystery of the Osun Osogbo goddess, stating that they were ready to work with more indigenes in diverse trades and arts, as well as culture business to make the festival memorable and eventful.
