The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, has said no fewer than one million people are expected in Osogbo to be part of the grand finale of the 2019 edition of the annual Osun Osogbo Festival coming up on Friday.
The monarch made the disclosure in Osogbo on Wedensday at the presentation held by the Nigeria Breweries Limited (NBL) and Coca Cola Nigeria Limited, some of the partners of the 2019 edition of the festival, stating that the event had been designed to be peaceful.
A statement by the Managing Consultant of Osun Osogbo Festival 2019, Mr. Toye Arulogun, made available to journalists in Ibadan, quoted Oba Oyetunji as saying that devotees, participants, tourists and guests were expected from Nigeria and outside the country.
He stressed that all arrangements had been put in place to have a successful festival.
He assured that adequate security had been put in place to ensure a hitch free festival in collaboration with the various security agents, noting that the federal government and its agencies, Osun State government, security agencies, corporate bodies, institutions and individuals, had committed themselves to the unprecedented celebration of the festival.
Oba Oyetunji appreciated all sponsors and partners for their support to ensure the success of the festival, stating that every sponsor and partner would continue to prosper in their various endeavours.
He explained that the festival is an annual ritual in fulfilment of the promise to Yeye Osun, the goddess of River Osun.
According to him, over the years, it had grown in stature and reputation to merit a listing by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, in 2005 as a world heritage site.
