President Tinubu Encourages Peaceful Celebration of Eyo Festival
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized the importance of peaceful and responsible behavior during the Eyo Festival, urging participants to celebrate in harmony without the use of alcohol or any actions that could endanger lives. The President made these remarks while receiving the organizers of the festival at his Lagos residence on Sunday.
During the visit, Tinubu expressed his gratitude for the cultural event, which he described as a rekindling of Nigeria’s rich heritage. He praised the people of Lagos for their readiness and enthusiasm for the celebration, highlighting the values of peace, unity, and brotherhood that the festival embodies.
“I am happy for this great cultural remembrance, a rekindling of our culture. It is a great honour to come back home to meet our people, ready, happy, healthy, for the celebration of Eyo Carnival in peace, harmony, love, brotherhood, and sisterhood,” Tinubu said.
He further encouraged the participants to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the festivities, emphasizing that the celebration should be free from alcohol and any form of dangerous behavior.
“You should stay in peace, rejoice in peace, dance in peace, no alcohol, no danger to anybody’s life. Everybody is a member of this great family,” the President advised.
Tinubu also highlighted the progress being made in Lagos and across the country, expressing confidence that the festive season would be peaceful and prosperous. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling security challenges such as banditry and terrorism.
“Eko is making progress. Nigeria is making progress… God will bless Lagos, bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I assure you, we will defeat banditry and terrorism,” he added.
Governor Sanwo-Olu Highlights Cultural Significance of the Festival
The visiting delegation was led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who later addressed journalists and shared insights into the significance of the Eyo Festival. He described the event as a historic moment for Lagos and a celebration deeply rooted in remembrance.
This year’s Eyo Festival marks the first in eight years and is held in honor of four prominent Lagosians: the late Military Administrator of Lagos State, Mobolaji Johnson; former civilian governors Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande and Sir Michael Otedola; and Alhaja Habibat Mogaji, the President’s mother.
Sanwo-Olu expressed his appreciation for the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, for granting approval for the Adimu Orisha Eyo to take place. He described the festival as a powerful showcase of Lagos’ rich cultural heritage.
“For me personally, this is historic. In almost seven years as governor, this is the first Eyo Festival I will witness,” Sanwo-Olu said, adding that the event offers an opportunity to present Lagos’ deep cultural roots to both local and international visitors.
Formal Ushering of the Adimu and Future Plans
The governor explained that the visit to the President marked the formal ushering in of the Adimu, the most prominent of the Eyo masquerades, and the commencement of activities for a week-long celebration that will culminate on December 27.
He also revealed plans to explore making the Eyo Festival an annual, calendarized event. This initiative aligns with the President’s call for a safe and harmonious festival, aiming to bring families together in unity, peace, and brotherhood.
A Celebration of Culture and Unity
The Eyo Festival is more than just a cultural event; it serves as a reminder of the historical and social fabric that binds the people of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. The festival not only honors the legacy of notable figures but also reinforces the importance of community and tradition.
As the celebrations unfold, the message of peace and unity remains central. With the support of leaders like President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Eyo Festival stands as a symbol of resilience and cultural pride, offering a platform for reflection, remembrance, and renewal.
