By _ Babatunde Kaka
Lagos State first Lady, Dr Mrs Claudia Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday 22nd July 2021, commemorated the popular Ojude-Oba festival at the symbolic King Kosoko Embarkment Center, Marina Waterfront, Epe.
The over 150-year-old festival according to verifiable history used to be called “Iki Baale”. This gesture was exhibited by the earliest Epe kingdom Islamic forebearers on every third day of the Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya) festival, in appreciation of the benevolence of Balogun Ajeniya, who gifted the Ulamas a small parcel of land to build the first mosque (Atirin) and later a bigger one in Epe.
In attendance alongside notable sons and daughters of Epe origin were Hon Wale Raji (MHR), the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba Olukayode Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbolahan Timson, Jagunmolu III, the Oba of Bariga, Chief Akanni Adio Oduola, the Mogaji Ngeri of Epe Kingdom, the Olu-Epe Baale-in-Council, Olu-Epe-in-Council High Chiefs and other notable guests.
In her address, Mrs Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Chairman, Health Service Commission, Dr Mrs Atinuke Onayiga, congratulated the good people of Epe Kingdom on the celebration of the religious cum cultural festival, noting that last year’s festival was cancelled owing to the ravaging COVID 19 pandemic.
“I also stand to appreciate the strategic importance of the Ojude-Oba festival not only to the people of Epe kingdom but also to the people of the entire State. It is a festival that is graced by indigenes and even non-indigenes alike from different works of life, who gather to pay homage to His Majesty, the Olu-Epe of Epe kingdom and as well serves as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Epe, not only to the State but to the world.”
“Irrespective of Social status, be it rural and urban dwellers, the low and the mighty, the Ojude-Oba brings everyone together and I make bold to say that it is one of the important festivals that greatly promotes both our culture, tourism and entertainment in this part of Lagos,” she averred.
She urged the well-meaning sons and daughters of Epe Kingdom to continue to support the Lagos State Government under the exemplary administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in its resolve to achieve its THEMES agenda and to take Lagos to enviable heights.
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Fuji music legend, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, was also on ground to thrill the audience with his melodic tunes, enthralling beats, wits and energetic dance performances. He also paid tribute to one of the promising youths from the Epe kingdom Habeeb Uthman, aka Obama 44.
Alhaji Wasiu disclosed that through the late music enthusiast, the duet he had with ace music star David Adeleke aka Davido, was made possible.
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