In his reaction to the letter of invitation, His Imperial Majesty expressed his great delight in endorsing the maiden edition of the event. In his words, “I write with great delight to endorse the inaugural The Drum (Ayan-Agalu) Festival scheduled to hold in Canada”. Oba Ogunwusi asserted that “the festival, which has its root in the Kingdom of Ife, South Western Nigeria, is a symbolic presentation of our culture, particularly in relation to our social life, religion, monarchy and other core aspects of our existence”, the affable monarch stated.