Kayo-Kayo, A Promise Of Brotherhood In Epe Kingdom – Olu-epe Of Epe

• On 5th of February, some members of the Epe community of Lagos State witnessed the brotherhood spirit of its community as they stood as recipients of a scholarship scheme worth over 1 million naira.

• The event was to mark Epe Kingdom’s KayoKayo festival of 2022 in which the promise made was kept to the youths of the community.

• 18 members of the community were supported with N50,000 each to support their academic pursuits.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that on Sunday, February 5th, 2023, the KayoKayo committee, a yearly programme carried out by indigenous members of Epe community in Epe, Lagos State, fulfilled its 2022 promise to fund a scholarship scheme that would benefit random members of its community.

This scheme according to its members and as stated by the Olu-epe of Epe, is to promote a sense of brotherhood within a community brought together by socio-cultural ideologies and kept one by a sense of commonality.

The annual Kayo-Kayo festival is a significant cultural and religious celebration in the Epe community of Lagos State.

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The festival marks the historical arrival of King Kosoko in 1851 and is observed during the first month of the Islamic calendar in commemoration of ‘Yaom-al Ashura’ on the 10th day of Muharram.

Kayo-Kayo, meaning “eating to satisfaction,” provides a platform for the advancement, development, and promotion of the local economy, addressing socio-economic challenges, and preserving cultural heritage. The festival has become a significant event for the descendants of Oba Kosoko to celebrate their rich cultural heritage and history.

The Epe committee had original made a promise to the youths of the community late in 2022 of a scholarship scheme that would see random individuals from the community become beneficiaries, and the 5th of February was the right moment to keep to that promise.

The dignitaries present at the event aside the Olu-epe of Epe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba (Dr.) Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, were High Chief Tajudeen Olalekan Ajiborisha Basharun of Epe Kingdom, Mr. Otunba Gbenga TJ Abass; the Coordinator Chairman Epe KayoKayo Festival Planning Committee and Alhaja Oloshola Kehinde Alade-Raji; Chairman Publicity Committee, Epe.

The event which took place in the premises of the Olu-epe of Epe land saw awardees of the 2022 KayoKayo scholarship scheme recognized for their achievements at the KayoKayo scholarship award ceremony.

The Epe kingdom was filled with joy and celebration as the Oluepe of Epe kingdom, HRM Oba Shefiu Muhammad Olatunji, hosted a scholarship reward distribution ceremony for 18 students in the kingdom.

Representing the chairman of the scholarship committee, Alhaja Alade Raji Ibishomi spoke on the importance of having a community-based scholarship reward program as part of the Kayo Kayo festival.

She advised the participants to always make themselves available for the collection of their rewards and warned against the politicization of the scholarship program by members of political parties.

Alhaja Alade also encouraged Epe indigenes living outside the kingdom to make a habit of visiting the home kingdom more often to learn about its cultural values.

She praised the contributions of Otunba T.J Abass towards the organization of the scholarship program and called on well-to-do members of society to join hands in making the program a success.

His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba (Dr.) Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, Bangbopa Eshilokun 1, the Olu-epe of Epe Land, gave a remark on the significance of the event, along with the dignitaries who were present at the event.

In his speech, Oba Adewale praised God for the gift of life and the ability to continue the KayoKayo tradition, which has been in existence for 170 years and the scholarship scheme for six years. He expressed his happiness at seeing parents allowing their children to participate in the KayoKayo event, which is aimed at encouraging education.

The King also reminisced about the history of KayoKayo, which began in Arabia and was brought to Epe from Lagos through Hon. Jide Kosoko. He also shared a touching experience with some children whose parents came to the palace to get documents signed.

The aforementioned children were said to have tricked their parents into bringing them to the palace where they got the chance to meet the Olu-epe and talked about their struggles at home.

The Olu-epe on his end, promised to help the youths by giving them a piece of land, as well as encourage their parents to let the children visit home and familiarize with their community and their heritage.

Oba Adewale also thanked the committee members and organizers of the scholarship scheme and encouraged them to do more. He rounded up his speech with an Islamic prayer.

The 2022 KayoKayo scholarship award ceremony that was brought forth into the month of Februrary, 2023 became a successful event as it lived to its promise and recognized the hard work and achievements of students in the Epe community.

The Olu-epe’s speech, as well as the notable dignitaries present was well-received and appreciated by all who were present, specifically the beneficiaries of the scholarship.

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According to the interviewed beneficiaries who EKO HOT BLOG was privileged to speak with, the scholarship would go a long way to aid in their educational plans for the year, and keep to the sense of brotherhood and belonging the community has built over the years.

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