The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has stated that the Egungun festival is not an open door to crimes and criminal activities in Ibadanland.

He therefore warned worshippers and their teeming followers to eschew violence during the two-week-long activities, which commenced on Monday across the eleven local government areas of the metropolitan city.

Ladoja, in a statement signed by his Chief spokesman, Chief Adeola Oloko, said the age-long festival is aimed at entertaining people, not promoting violence.

According to him, “the festival is dedicated to celebrating our lore, custom and tradition. It is a moment to showcase the evolution of our society, social cohesion, family unity and solidarity through the offering of sacrifice.

“It is a time to reflect on our history as a people, where we are coming from and where we are now. It is worth celebrating with drum beats, dance and merriment.”

He contended that the festival is neither an avenue to settle old scores, engage in supremacy contests, nor carry out retaliatory attacks between masquerades and their opponents.

The first-class monarch assured that all necessary arrangements have been put in place by the palace to ensure a hitch-free Egungun festival this year.

Oba Ladoja urged the people to cooperate with law enforcement agents in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for celebration, adding that masquerades and followers should not go beyond the time and locations designated for them by law enforcement authorities.

(Nigerian Tribune)