*vows to ban those that foments trouble
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun on Sunday, warned Egungun adherents in Ibadan against any form of thuggery and related vices during this year’s annual festival.
Oba Balogun handed down the warning in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Oladele Ogunsola made available to newsmen in Ibadan ahead of the commencement of the festival.
Specifically, the Olubadan vowed that he would not tolerate any act of hooliganism with a threat to ban any masquerade whose supporters foment trouble or cause breach of the peace.
” I congratulate my sons and daughters in Ibadanland on this occasion of this year’s Egungun festival, the first of which I’m hosting as the Olubadan and appeal to all to be sensitive to the mood of the nation as regards security as we celebrate the annual festival”, he said.
Oba Balogun added, “we must not loose touch with the purpose of the traditional event which is celebrated annually as a way of thanking our ancestors for the legacies of love, brotherliness and mode of worship bequeathed to us. It is also a period for us to seek for their continual guidance as well as protection from the ravages of all forms of diseases”.
“We cannot afford to drop all these positive legacies on the alter of day light robbery, hooliganism, brigandage and thuggery. Or can we turn the entertainment aspect of the festival to something that would leave sour taste in the mouths of our people? I enjoin all to please celebrate with caution, love and consideration for others”.
According to the statement, the traditional vigil of the Egungun festival is to hold on Sunday night at the respective family houses that own and worship Egungun and that the festival would kick off at the Aliiwo palace of the Olubadan with the major and big masquerades to be led by Atipako coming to dance for Oba Balogun accompanied by the members of Olubadan-in-Council.
The Olubadan Media aide stressed further that during this period, supplications would be made to gods for peace to reign in and across Ibadanlandland.
Oba Balogun while praying for peace and tranquility in Ibadanland charged the security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities by nipping in the bud any form of violence before such escalates.
