The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, on Thursday, March 23, 2017, hosted other Obas during the celebration of Osu festival.
While speaking with journalists during the festival, which showcased royalty, culture and tradition of Ikorodu kingdom, Oba Shotobi disclosed that Odun Osu was for every child within the circle of the ruling houses. According to him, both the Rademo and Lasunwon houses were entitled to have the celebration.
In his words, “It was the first festival to be held every year in Ikorodu at the beginning of the year, which our fore-fathers normally used to appease the gods.” He said that before his emergence as the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, music and drumming were banned during the festival for a three months period, but he had facilitated the agreement for music or drumming to be banned for just one week and the last weekend for the festival’s final rite.
He thanked the residents of Ikorodu for abiding by the norms and principles of the town and showered his blessings of the fruitfulness of the Osu festival on them. Kabiyesi also commended all other Obas in the division that graced the occasion, wishing that the unity existing in the division should continue to lead to its progress.
Oba Shotobi also showed his appreciation to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and all his cabinet members for their supports and upliftment of Ikorodu division, and the protection of her culture and tradition.
On their part, the visiting monarchs equally commended Ikorodu indigenes and non-indigenes for the wonderful roles they played during the festival. The programme proper started with traditional rites, which took place at Ejina Square around 6:30am, where Oba Shotobi joined his subjects and visited Oloja palace and Adegorushen compound.
In the evening after the traditional prayers, the Oba left the palace to Ejina for the last traditional rites of the festival. They were led by Gbedu drummers who also rendered traditional songs as they trekked to Ita-Efunlase, very close to Oloja Palace at Awofin, Ejina
At the Ile-Oshin shrine, Oba Shotobi performed the necessary rites before joining the mammoth crowd already awaiting the arrival of his entourage at Ejina square. At the square there were Gbedu drummers, Jagun’s Group, Apeno Ere traditional chiefs, monarhs, including Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Kasali.
Other Obas, who gave their solidarity to Oba Shotobi include, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro; Oba of Ibeshe, HRM Oba Richard Ogunsanya; the Obateru of Egbinland, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Ayangbure traditional chiefs, Igbogbo traditional chiefs, the Osugbos and other dignitaries.
