Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Sunday, formally received the Opambata, ceremonial staff of the Eyo masquerade, marking commencement of activities for the 2025 Adamu Orisha Play in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu received the sacred staff at the Lagos House, Marina, during a homage visit by families of personalities to be honoured at this year’s Eyo Festival.
Those to be honoured include: the late Iyaloja-General, Chief Abibat Mogaji, mother of President Bola Tinubu; and the first Military Governor of Lagos State, Gen. Mobolaji Johnson.
Others are: the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaja Lateef Jakande; and a former Third Republic governor, Sir Michael Otedola.
The ceremony, tagged; “Ijade Opa Eyo”, featured traditional songs, prayers and cultural performances associated with the festival.
The procession was led by the Olori Eyo and Akinsiku of Lagos, Chief Adebola Dosunmu, alongside other traditional adherents, carrying their Opambata.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu said that the ceremony officially signalled commencement of activities, ahead of the Adamu Orisha Play, scheduled to hold on Dec. 27.
He prayed for a peaceful and successful celebration of the festival.
“The Eyo Festival is a powerful expression of our identity and continuity as a people; Any society without culture risks losing its relevance,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu described the forthcoming Eyo outing as a moment of pride for the state.
“The Eyo Festival holding on Saturday, will be a day of joy and pride for Lagos, It will be colourful and joyous, showcasing the depth of our rich cultural heritage to both local and international audiences,” he said.
The governor said that Lagos was not only Nigeria’s commercial and economic hub, but also a melting point of culture and tourism.
He commended participants for the large turnout and noted that the symbolic black-and-white attire worn during the ceremony, represents unity, peace and progress.
Sanwo-Olu also thanked the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for championing the return of the Eyo Festival in 2025, after an eight-year hiatus.
Earlier, the Olori Eyo, Chief Dosunmu, said the Ijade Opa Eyo was part of a series of preparatory rites leading to the main festival.
He said that the procession formally confirms the certainty of the forthcoming Eyo celebration.
“The outing involves visits to family houses, traditional palaces, the Oba’s Palace, the governor’s residence and other significant locations, including a homage visit to the President’s residence,” he said.
He outlined key cultural rules guiding the festival, including restrictions on footwear, caps and scarves, and a prohibition on photographing sacred Orishas, while allowing pictures of the Eyo masquerades.
Dosunmu noted that the culture predates modern religions and remains an inherited identity handed down through generations.
