Deji orders closure of shops, markets for 2025 amole festival

In observance of the age-long tradition of the Amole Festival, all markets, shops, and stalls within Akure, the Ondo State capital, will be closed on Friday, August 29, 2025.

This directive was issued by the Palace of His Majesty, the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Land, in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Adeyeye Michael.

According to the statement, the closure is a significant rite of the festival and forms part of the cultural heritage of the people of Akure. The Palace stressed that there would be no trading, opening of shops, or market activities of any kind throughout the day.

“Residents, market women and shop owners are kindly enjoined to abide by this directive and ensure strict observance of the rules,” the statement read.

The Palace, however, clarified that pharmacy shops and patent medicine stores are exempted from the closure, to allow access to essential medical needs. It further noted that there would be no restriction of human or vehicular movement during the festival.

The Amole Festival is one of the revered traditional celebrations in Akure, symbolizing unity, cultural preservation, and the reaffirmation of the community’s ancestral heritage.

The Palace concluded with a goodwill message: “Akure a gbe a oo” — a traditional blessing for the prosperity of the town and its people.