Press Releases

Eyo Festival: Alakete Pupa Presents Traditional Staff To Fashola

Apr 20, 2009 - In continuation of preparations for the staging of the Adamu Orisha Festival in Lagos Island on Saturday, the Alakete Pupa Conclave (Eyo Laba or the Royal Eyo) on Monday presented the traditional staff of Eyo to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), for blessing at the Lagos House, Ikeja .

The ceremony featured chants by the staff bearers led by the leader or Olori Eyo, Chief Kabiru Adesina Oshodi to present the staff to the Governor, after which he offered detailed prayers for the continued well being of the Governor, his team, the state and the nation.

The ceremony, known as Ikapa, is traditionally held to present the staff of Eyo for blessing to the Governor, the Oba of Lagos and other eminent Lagosians as well as herald the hosting of the Eyo Festival. It began on Sunday with the Eyo Adimu Conclave presenting the Staff of Eyo to the Governor at State House, Marina.

Monday’s ceremony will be followed by similar ones with the three remaining Eyo conclaves participating. According to the order of presentation, the Eyo Oniko Conclave will present its staff on Tuesday while the Eyo Ologede Conclave and the Eyo Agere Conclave will perform similar ceremony on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

The colourful ceremony which was held at Lagos House Ikeja had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Mrs Sarah Adebisi Sosan and other members of the State Executive Council.

Speaking on the significance of the ceremony, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr. Tunde Balogun, told reporters on Sunday that the Ikapa, which he described as significant, traditionally precedes every Eyo Festival.

The Commissioner said the State Government has put in place a machinery to ensure the security of people throughout the festival adding that special routes have been designated for the Eyo and others for visitors to the Island so that there would not be any unnecessary contact between the two.

“If you take the Inner and Outer Marina, you will not come in contact with the Eyo. If you come through the Muson Centre towards the Tafawa Balewa Square, which is the centre of activities, you will not encounter an Eyo”, the Commissioner said.

The Commissioner, who said that the masquerades have been advised to be of good behaviour if they come in contact with people, however, warned that people wanting to watch the ceremony, should observe the rules of the Eyo which include not putting on shoes, carrying an umbrella or riding an Okada.