Epe agog for annual Grandmothers’ Festival

The city of Epe was agog last week as the annual Grandmothers’ festival held with  funfare in the ancient city.

The event which took place at Recreation Ground was witnessed by over seven thousand participants.

The Olu of Epe Kingdom, Oba Sefiu Olatunji Adewale sent three high chiefs from the palace to represent him. Chief Muniru Atepete, Seriki of Epe, Chief Lekan Ajiborisa, Bashorun of Epe and Chief Lekan Alli Balogun, Baale of Oke’ra Epe represented the traditional ruler.

Otunba Gani Adams while speaking at the event, said Grandmothers’ as we usually refer to them are empowered from heaven by God Almighty with special spiritual authority to oversee the affairs of the world. But due to ignorance, some of us have wrongly labeled women as the weaker sex. Facing the realities, women are stronger than their men counterpart in many areas, especially on spiritual issues.

“Look around you, you will find that most successful societies in the world are those that give women a special preference in piloting their societal affairs. It is therefore not surprising that there is prosperity in countries like the USA and UK, where women are treated with much respect.”

Dr Ibrahim Wahab of Yoruba Department, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State delivered lecture on The relevance of “Iyami” in the economic recession in Nigeria.

In his lecture, he said Iyami are being referred to among Yorubas in different names mischievously, noting that the ordinary man perceives Iyami in following lights, some call them “Awon agbalagba, Eleye, Aye and so on.

He said, they are recognised to have natural power, but are being looked down on for certain reasons such as religion, societal, factor and deceit.

Professor Kolawole Raheem, Head of Research and Environment Department in the University of Education in Winneba, Ghana who is an indigene of Epe, applauded  Otunba Adams and the Olokun Festival Foundation for their steadfastness and consistency in the promotion of Yoruba cultural values.

Other personalities at the event were Chief Babatunde Adegoroye, Baale Moore of Epe, Chief Noha Olowolagba, Baale Oko-Abe, Chief Nureni Odedina Ebudola, National Coordinating Council of OPC, members of OPU, Olokun Festival planning committee, members of OPC among others.

Popular fuji Musician, Alhaji Sule Alao Malaika entertained the guests.