By Babatunde Kaka
Wale Mogaji and Engineer Shabi have commended the transformation witnessed in the Epe Kayokayo 2022 festival.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Otun Balogun of the Epe Kingdom, High Chief Wale Mogaji, and the Epe Club President, Engineer AbdulRasheed Shabi, have hailed the transformation and innovations infused into the Epe Kayokayo Festival.
The community leaders both spoke separately during their short address at the Epe Marina Waterfront during the symbolic “etufu” lighting on Friday 26th August 2022.
Wale Mogaji saluted the enviable innovations and creativity entrenched in the festival, stressing that such was a complete overhaul of what was obtainable in the past editions.
Recounting the indelible memories that the Kayokayo festival propagated through the “epo” kiddies’ masquerade that he sighted at the venue, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Commission disclosed how he and his friends used to oppress and toast young ladies of their choice, hiding under the bunch of dried banana shafts as youths.
“I want to congratulate the Coordinator of this festival. You’ve added flavour to the Epe Kayokayo festival. It is not an understatement when you say that the Coordinator is a reformer because it is true. It’s not a matter of fallacy because we know where we’re coming from and we are improving every year. This is the only cultural festival recognised by the State Government and we must endeavour to jealously preserve our heritage,” he said.
He noted that it wasn’t out of place for the Ojude-Oba committee leadership to emulate the highly transparent crowd-funding strategy introduced by the Coordinator, stressing that it has drastically reduced the burden of funding by a wealthy few.
Digressing a bit, Wale Mogaji said the massive breakthrough experienced at the Ojude-Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode sponsored by Globacom and several other billionaires of the town coupled with the introduction of the “regberegbe” had transformed the festival and that of Ojude Oba Epe would record similar development with the introduction of social clubs.
While he averred that the media influence by the Coordinator has greatly facilitated the projection of the Epe Kayokayo to the globe, he also hinted that apart from celebrating the arrival of King Kosoko in 1851, Kayokayo is a form of spiritual cleansing – a belief held in high esteem by many.
Anticipating the unveiling of the remarkable innovation regarding the modern etufu which would be unveiled by the Kosoko family, Wale Mogaji offered prayers for peaceful coexistence across the divides in the community.
On his part, Engineer Rasheed Shabi who began his address on the heels of the 4-1 thumping of Epe Club by Epe Ogunmodede Club during the week, stressing that it was just an ordinary novelty match, said the Coordinator has been exceptionally transparent.
Rasheed Shabi admitted that he pulled out of the festival for over two years but was astonished by the good works being put in place by the TJ Abass-led committee.
“This is the most recognised festival we have here and it should be different. The one I experienced in 2019 was so jam-packed and I was asking myself, is this Kayokayo? Let’s continue to strive to uplift the kayokayo festival,” said.
Rasheed Shabi who was celebrated by the gathering as the “etufu” lighting coincided with his birthday thereafter joined Chief Wale Mogaji, Professor Basirat Oladipupo, Mr Ahmed Osiefa, Prince Abioye Kassim, the Mogaji of Oshodi Tapa family and others to execute the activity.
Discover more from EkoHotBlog
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611