Over 1,000 Ikorodu traditionalists, popularly known as Olombas, under the aegis of the African Traditional Religion of Nigeria (ATREN), converged on the palace of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu on Monday, November 2, 2020, to offer prayers for Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, and the entire Ikorodu town.
The marathon prayer session, which lasted for several hours, according to report, was at the behest of the traditionalists to offer thanks to the gods for protecting Oba Shotobi, his family, and the entire residents of Ikorodu community against the aftermaths of the #EndSARS protest and COVID-19 pandemic and also to seek protection against evil and unfortunate happenings.
Various members of different sects of the Olombas (traditional religious practitioners), who were all dressed in plain white attires, partook in the prayer session. Representatives of each sect, led by the head of the traditionalists and Apena of Ikorodu, Chief Kareem Ore, took turns to invoke the spirits of founders of Ikorodu and other gods for the protection of the royal family, residents and Ikorodu community at large against pandemic and instability while prayers were also offered to ward off cult killings currently ravaging entire Ikorodu division.
Among the sects that participated in the prayer event were Osugbo, Awopa, Igunuko worshippers, Obaluaye worshippers, Ifa priests (Babalawos), Obatala worshippers, Eluku devotees, Oro devotees, Magbo devotees, Liwe devotees, Awo Agba, Olorisha, among others. Oba Shotobi and his wife, Olori Kiudirat, both of whom were equally decked in white attires, patiently sat through the prayer session and intermittently uttered the word “Ase” (Amen) to all the prayers offered by the traditionalists.
Oba Shotobi, speaking after the prayers, commended the traditionalists for initiating the prayer session and said that he was pleased with such initiative. He assured them of his continuous support in all their activities. “I am greatly happy and pleased with your coming today, especially for deeming it fit to offer special prayers for me and Ikorodu Kingdom. It is important for us to appreciate God and our ancestors for preserving us through the COVID -19 pandemic, EndSARS crisis and other challenges that we have faced this year. I will continually work towards a good relationship with you because the Olombas are playing important roles in the development of our town.”
The monarch, while demonstrating his joy over the prayers offered for him and Ikorodu, doled out cash gifts to all the female traditionalists, who he called his ‘wives’, and also donated two cows to the entire Olombas.
Speaking earlier on the purpose of the prayer session, Chief Ore said, “We are here for thanksgiving because the pandemic (COVID – 19), and other crises that the country witnessed and is still witnessing did not consume us or negatively impacted on the royal family or wreak havoc on Ikorodu community. We are here to pray for peace, prosperity and orderliness in our town. Also, we are here to pray for our royal father and his family.”