Wale Jagun
Between July 15th to August 6th, 2023 in Ode Remo, Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, the royal fathers and people of Ode, Iraye, Eposo and their environs will celebrate the 2023 edition of the annual Lafose festival.
The festival is celebrated every year with a variety of events while the grand finale is usually held on the first Saturday in the month of August.
According to a statement by the organisers, events lined up for the month long festival include the traditional and physical cleansing of the town, cultural day, babies show, special Jumat service, Sports, Oldies day out (Gbara Odun), candle light procession, Youth night/beauty pageant, main event/fundraiser and a thanksgiving service.
The festival is believed to reinforce the bond between sons and daughters of the ancient town and their progenitors.
A huge tourist attraction, the festival is usually attended by indigenes, well wishers and tourists from all over the world. According to the organizers of the festival, this year’s event with the theme, “Peace, a panacea for sustainable growth and development”, will be led by the town’s revered monarchs namely Alaiye Ode of Ode Remo, Oba Adetunji Amidu Osho, Eleposo of Eposo, Oba Akanji Mukaila Olabinjo and the Nloku of Iraye, Oba Samule Kalejaiye.
While unveiling plans for this year’s Lafose festival during an interaction with newsmen at the weekend, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman, Otunba ‘Dare Odufowokan, expressed assurance that indigenes and visitors will enjoy a fun-filled celebration.
“We are committed to ensuring that participants at all the events lined up for this year’s Lafose festival enjoy their time in Ode Remo.
‘The festival annually affords sons and daughters of our town to reconnect with their progenitors in prayers and fanfare.
‘It is usually a time to reenact our love for Ode, Eposo, Iraye and other confederating towns and villages,” he said.
The LOC chairman while urging all sons and daughters of the town to support this year’s festival, appreciated all Distinguished Citizens of Ode Remo (DCORs), traditional and palace chiefs, eminent sons and daughters, community leaders and others for the successes of the festival since 1986 when it was first hosted.
“Lafose is a legacy bequeathed to us by our forbearers. We must all do what we can to make it an annual success,” he added.
Otunba Odufowokan eulogised eminent Odeans like Alhaji Moibi Sadiku, Aare Kola Oyefeso, Hon (Chief) Benjamin Olabinjo, Asiwaju Bisi Adegbuyi, Hon. Paul Kalejaiye, Engineer Adeniyi Afolabi, Her Grace Dr. O. Yomi-Sholoye, Omooba Gbolaga Adeyanju, Otunba Idowu Asetoye, Aare Ifaniyi Ogundugba, Alhaji Akeem Ajayi, Mr. Temitope Oyewale, Mr. Yaya Onagbesan among many others too numerous to mention, for their many sacrifices towards supporting the festival over the years.
Odufowokan who assured prominent indigenes of the town that their contributions will not be in vain, called for the sponsorship of the various events lined up for this year’s Lafose festival by groups and individuals.
He further appreciated groups like Ode Remo Council of Baales, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ode Remo, New Seraph Church, Ode Remo Olorituns, Ode Remo Association, U.K, Egbe Temidire, Egbe Gbobaniyi, Ligbehim Descendant Union, Egbe Olanrewaju, Egbe Orisunmibare, Prime Club International and others.
The LOC chairman revealed that the Ode, Eposo, Iraye and their environs are already agog in anticipation of the festival as individuals, clubs, societies and families make preparation for Lafose
