On a busy Monday morning, it was a major surprise to see certain business outlets around the Oba's palace closed. Upon investigation, it was discovered that it is in commemoration of the annual Ilefunta festival.
The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade had through his Chief Press Secretary announced on Saturday, that he will be embarking on his annual leave.
During this traditional leave called "Ilefunta" which will last for seven days, the markets and all roads leading to the palace are to remain closed.
Due to this tradition, stores, market, and a bank in the environs of the Oba's palace remained closed and civil servants working within the palace area were denied entry into their office till the seven days is complete.
In an interview with SUNSHINE HERALD, a museum staff, J.K Adewede; He said: "The Oba is going for his traditional leave for seven days and it started last Saturday, they do this every year and it is called Ilefunta.
"The Oba is going for his traditional leave for seven days and it started last Saturday, they do this every year and it is called Ilefunta.
"During this period of seven days leave, he won't entertain any visitor.
"Before now they usually don't set a barricade to this extent, so it doesn't affect the business centers outside the palace".
The entrance to the Oba's palace was barricaded and civil servants were prevented from going in.
Also speaking with SUNSHINE HERALD, a civil servant who refused to give her name said: "Honestly 20 years ago, we didn't experience what is happening now, this is the first time that the civil servants among us will experience such thing.
"They usually set a barricade every year, but not to the extent of stopping us from entering to (sic) our place of work.
It is not unfair for Deji to shut us out, Deji is the owner of Akure you know he is the Oba so he has power on everything, but if they had noticed us we wouldn't have come."
The Obadua of Akure who was present at the scene said "Oba will be in the palace for seven days praying for peace and prosperity of the city."
This tradition has been on for a long time but it has never prevented the civil servants within the Oba's palace or marketers nor private-owned enterprise from carrying out their daily activities.
