… As Monarch Urges Indigenes In Diaspora To Participate
Epe Kingdom is set to come alive as the annual Kayo-Kayo festival kicks off.
Oba Adewale Shefiu, the Olu Epe, has extended an invitation to indigenes both at home and abroad to participate in the celebration of Epe’s rich cultural heritage. The festival, which commemorates the arrival of King Kosoko in Epe in 1851, is a significant event for the community.
Speaking at a Press Briefing held recently in his Palace, the Monarch noted that there is no better way to unite the people than coming together under one umbrella to wine and dine and celebrate the cultural heritage of Epeland.
He further disclosed that the Kayo-Kayo festival is an annual religious and cultural state festival celebrated by the descendants of Oba Kosoko to mark the historical arrival of King Kosoko in Epe in the year 1851. Kayo-Kayo, which means “eating to satisfaction”, is a revered festival in the Epe community of Lagos State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical and Vocational Education and President of Epe Youth Forum, Hon. Giwa Muritala disclosed that a youth rally has been organised as part of this year’s celebration to sensitise the youths against social vices and to advocate for skill acquisition.
He said, “We advocate vocational skills among the youth in Epe and strongly discourage drug abuse and other social vices common among youths today. All security measures have been deployed to ensure the success of the rally”.
While commending the Lagos State government for their continuous support, Hon. Shamsideen Adio, a member of the organising committee said that the state government over the years has been supportive not only financially but in providing security and provision of LAWMA personnel to ensure proper sanitation, among others.
Alhaja Sola Alade, a prominent daughter of the town and publicity secretary of the year 2024 Kayo-kayo planning committee, appreciated the donors home and abroad for their financial and moral support. She also explained to the pressmen what to expect during the one-week-long event.
The festival is usually observed during the first month of the Islamic calendar in commemoration of ‘Yaom-al Ashura’ the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, which is about a month after the Muslim festival of Eid-El-Kabir.
The Kayo-Kayo festival has grown to become a veritable platform to advance, develop and promote the local economy, to discuss the socio-economic challenges of the community and most significantly, to propagate the rich cultural heritage of the indigenes.
The activities for the celebration will include the lighting of the symbolic ETUFU each day, Islamic lectures/Quran recitation competition, special kayo-kayo prayer, Novelty match (female players), Youth rally, Children fun fair, Medical outreach, visitation to the royal family and carnival, among others.
