As the Osun-Osogbo international festival climaxed Friday with procession of maiden calabash bearer to the sacred Osun grove, about 100,000 tourists are expected to attend the event globally.

The streets in Isale-Osun which led to the grove has started wearing new look as culture enthusiasts and different artists have been setting up stage along the road.

Also vendors of different ware were seen cleaning up space while members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, have been thronging into Osogbo, Osun State capital ahead of the grand finale schedule to hold tomorrow, Friday.

The Group Head of Media for the event, Oyindamola Olukanni disclosed that adequate security arrangement is in place for tourists and adherents that would grace the event.

“We are well-prepared for the upcoming event as we expect about 100,000 tourists in town. We are working closely with all security agencies to ensure a safe environment for all participants of the upcoming Osun Osogbo event.

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“Rest assured, all areas in and around Osogbo are secured. We have security personnel strategically positioned throughout Osogbo, including hotels, the Groove, Ataoja’s Palace, Freedom Park, and other major touchpoints. Additionally, some security personnel will be in plainclothes to seamlessly blend in”, he said.

The festival commenced last month with the (Odun Egun Oba), masquerade festival, cleansing of the path (Iwo popo), the lighting of 16-eyed lamp (Atupa Oloju meridinlogun) with the event climaxing on Friday.

The Arugba (calabash bearer) would lead the procession of Osun goddess adherents, followed by the Ataoja to the grove where guest would be seated for officials programmes, while adherents perform different spiritual atonements by the sacred river.