The coordinator of the 2023 Epe Kayokayo Festival Committee, Otunba T J Abass,has described traditional rulers as vanguards of the community, leading with wisdom and grace, urging them to sustain the unity and peace the Epe community enjoys at all costs.
Otunba Abass made the call while speaking at the reception held in honour of traditional rulers in Epe Division, as part of programmes lined up to celebrate the week-long 2023 Epe Kayokayo Festival.
This was just as Abass, who is also the Aremo of Epe Kingdom, noted that traditional rulers in the Epe Division were responsible for the evolution and transformation of the festival.
The coordinator in his welcome address at the reception organised for royal fathers at the Epe Ogunmodede House, Epe, after the Jumaat prayer, said giving the exalted position that God had entrusted them with, no reason to doubt their capability to inspire patriotism and a deep sense of giving back to the society, pleading that they should “explore every avenue that nurtures the unity of our community.”
“You are the vanguards of our community, leading with wisdom and grace. And we are in no doubt of your capability to inspire patriotism and a deep sense of giving back to the society in our people. In your hands, we hope our community finds strength, unity, and a profound connection to our roots,” he said.
“There could not have been a more opportune time to make this appeal than now with well over 25 traditional rulers present here today.
“Hence, my plea to you is that you explore every avenue that nurtures the unity of our community. Unity and progress, as we know them, are Siamese twins; none exists without the other,” he added.
Besides, Otunba Abass equally tasked the state government and the political class to remain an impartial and unbiased umpire as, according to him, they all have major role to play to uplift the community.
“The state government and the political class have a major role to play and must remain an impartial and unbiased umpire.
“Rather, let us harness the immense potential we hold and work together to uplift our community, deactivating the dichotomy that might have existed.
“Lastly, it takes collective efforts to achieve collective success.
“Together, we can script a future where our community’s story shines brightly, igniting hope and inspiration for generations to come.
“Let us, therefore, for the sake of posterity, write the story of our community in gold ink and selfless cursive,” he stated.
Speaking further, Otunba Abass commended the monarchs, including His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Shefiu Adewale, Bamgbopa Eshinlokun 1, saying that they were at the heart of preserving culture and traditions that inspired the Kayokayo Festival.
The Aremo of Epe kingdom noted that the festival gave the community an opportunity to showcase its culture to the world and enhance its socioeconomic development.
He also emphasized the religious significance of the annual event, saying every financial donation made by individuals towards the success of the festival fulfilled the religious obligation of almsgiving.
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