This year’s annual Egungun Festival, billed to start in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State on Monday will not entertain certain traditional procedures.
The usual tradition established since the time of late Olubadan, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe in 1976 that used to see the masquerades dancing for selected High Chiefs will not be entertained this year.
In a release on Sunday, signed by Palace spokesman, Adeola Oloko, the present Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji said no masquerade will visit any High Chief in their family compound as was the practice.
Although no reason was given for the last minute suspension of masquerade dance for Ibadan High Chiefs but it might not be unconnected with security reason arising from the controversial chieftaincy review that confers kingship without domain on high chiefs.
Oloko said this decision came after a 2-hour security meeting with stakeholders at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan place over the weekend, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1stated that the decision to suspend the masquerade dance this year is in the overall public interest.
Said he, “As the chief custodian of our culture and tradition, I also owe it a duty to work in tandem with the law enforcement agents not to turn the celebration of our custom and tradition into a theatre of war.”
The Olubadan who commended the security operatives for smooth-free Oke’Badan festival last March urged them to raise the bar of egungun festival this year. He also appealed to other stakeholders to cooperate with law enforcement agents by operating within the armbit of law.
In attendance at the meeting were ACP A. O Abimbola who represented Oyo Police Commissioner; ACP Dan Miller, CIID, Iyaganku; Mrs. B. T Agboola who represented the State Director of SSS and five Divisional Police Officers of Mokola, Yemetu, Mapo, Idi Aro and Agugu. All the leaders of masquerades’ associations in Ibadan land including the Alagbaa, Baale Labala and others were also present at the meeting.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
