As the 2022 Olojo Festival began yesterday, with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, entering seven-day seclusion; violence free 2023 general election and end to prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have topped the prayer requests of the first-class monarch.

Oba Adeyeye, while on his way to the seclusion at Ilofin in Ile-Ife, to pray to God, addressed reporters yesterday. He said the government must as a matter of urgency end the strike to avert the looming anger of youths.

He said: “The youth are angry and no one can blame them for that. Just imagine the number of months they have been kept out of school. ASUU and the Federal Government must unite and end this strike because we cannot handle the anger of youths if they go out of control.

Read Also; Ooni of Ife takes new queen

“They have started blocking highways and even threatening to lock airports. This is an indication that they have been pushed to the wall.

“This is my seventh year on the throne and I have been serving humanity with special focus on youths. Besides investing in human capital development and capacity building, I have engaged many of the youth as handlers of my firms and they have shown excellence in leadership. So, I appeal to our government to look at this direction and make the necessary amendment.

“During the recruitment process at the newly-unveiled OjajaMore, over 50 per cent of applicants are undergraduates; which speaks to the fact that the ASUU strike has done a lot of damage. It is avoidable and it should be ended by the government and ASUU for the benefit of the youth.

“Next year’s general election is equally another strong prayer request I will make during the seclusion. I am praying that the process goes smoothly, acceptable to all for peace and prosperity of our land.”

Explaining the potency of the seclusion, the Ooni, who will be incommunicado and not grant audience during the seclusion, said: “There has never been anytime my prayer request during seclusion is not answered by the Almighty, it has never happened. It is a period of fasting and prayer to appease God and seek blessings for our land.”