By Olawale Asake
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has urged masquerades and their followers to eschew violence as this year’s Egungun Festival in Ibadan begins on Monday.
Oba Ladoja gave the warning in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Chief Adeola Oloko, in Ibadan.
The monarch said the annual cultural festival, which has been celebrated from time immemorial, remains a platform for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ibadanland, promoting social cohesion, strengthening family unity and fostering communal solidarity through traditional rites and sacrifices.
Oba Ladoja stressed that the festival should not be used to settle old scores, engage in supremacy battles or carry out retaliatory attacks between masquerades and their opponents.
He warned that any act of violence would not be tolerated.
The Olubadan assured residents that the palace had put in place necessary measures to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebration throughout the festival period.
He appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies in maintaining law and order.
Oba Ladoja also directed masquerades and their followers to strictly adhere to routes, locations and time schedules approved by law enforcement agencies.
Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle
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