*Says violation of peaceful co- existence will attract serious sanctions By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan As this year's Ibadan Egungun Festival kicks off t
*Says violation of peaceful co- existence will attract serious sanctions
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
As this year’s Ibadan Egungun Festival kicks off today, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on Sunday said religious bigotry and fanaticism, oppression, intimidation and violence will not be tolerated throughout Ibadanland.
The Olubadan handed down the warning warning in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga on the commencement of the Egungun festival.
Oba Olakulehin charged the Ibadan Egungun (Masquerades) and their guardians (Atokun) to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during this year’s Egungun Festival to avoid any form of violence whatsoever.
” Make this year’s Egungun Festival peaceful, entertaining and attractive which will further enhance the promotion and preservation of Ibadanland’s cultural heritage and will boost religious harmony and economic upliftment of not only Ibadan city but Yorubaland as a whole”, he said
The Olubadan added, ” I call on all stakeholders which includes Ibadan traditional title holders, the traditional worshipers, the law enforcement agents and the residents of Ibadanland to ensure the success of the 2025 Egungun Festival in Ibadanland”.
” Let me state categorically that any violation of the peaceful co- existence In Ibadan will attract serious sanctions on the part of Egungun Masquerades, their followers and residents as well irrespective of the cultural and religious differences”.
Oba Olakulehin stressed that all religions, Islam, Christianity and African Traditional Religion are accorded the same recognition without fear or favour, adding that ” Consequently, religious bigotry and fanaticism, oppression, intimidation and violence will not be tolerated”
Egungun Festival in Ibadanland will start tomorrow Monday 23rd June, 2025 which will kick start with the courtesy visit to Olubadan of Ibadanland at his Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
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