Mariam Akinloye
Starting from 2023 celebration of the annual Epe Kayokayo Festival, the Oloja of Lagos – elect, Prince Abiola Tiamiyu – Kosoko, will take over the sponsorship of the islamic lecture. Quiz and Quranic recitation among other things which has both cultural and religious importance to the residents of Epe and Lagos.
The Oloja – elect has perfected plans to elevate the annual carnival by being responsible for organizing the Islamic Lecture, Quranic Recitation and Quiz Competition interventions and sponsoring prizes for winners.
In a press statement issued in Lagos on Friday by Kunle Adelabu, the media consultant to the Oloja – elect, Prince Kosoko said that the plan is in furtherance of the royal family of Lagos immortalisation of the late Oba Kosoko, a member of the Ologun Kutere of the Lagos Royal Family and reigned as Oba of Lagos from 1845 to 1851.
Kosoko left Lagos during the British bombardment of Lagos. His movement with his chiefs and other followers led to the establishment of numerous historical settlements on the large expanse of land so recognized by the British government in September 28th of 1854 and his final place of administrative headquarters he named Epe in 1853 was founded through the Ifa divinatiom.
King Kosoko returned to Lagos September 16th of 1862 to his newly built Ereko palace with his traditional Chiefs/ followers and left his Islamic clerics and two of his Balogun to continue to administer the affairs of Epe.
He died on April 15, 1872.
“On behalf of the King Kosoko family of Lagos, I will be sponsoring the 2023 Epe Kayakayo Festival Islamic Lecture, Quranic Recitation, and Quiz Competition, in a bid to immortalize the remarkable legacy of King Kosoko in the minds of the people of Epe and Lagos State at large”, the statement said.
“As a passionate supporter of cultural preservation and community growth, I firmly believe in the significance of honoring our historical figures who have played pivotal roles in shaping our society. King Kosoko holds a special place in the history of Epe and his contributions deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated for generations to come.
He said that the sponsorship is geared towards the promotion of the religious and social values which the late Oba Kosoko holds dear and for his remembrance.
“In line with this objective, my sponsorship aims to provide a platform for the local community to gather and remember the invaluable contributions of King Kosoko”, he said.
“The festival will showcase an Islamic lecture, Quranic recitation, and a quiz competition, all centered around the teachings and values that King Kosoko stood for.
“The festival will serve as an opportunity to not only educate the younger generation, but also to engage the community in celebrating their heritage. By promoting cultural and historical understanding, we can foster a sense of unity and pride among the people of Epe and Lagos State”, the statement added.
While the press conference in commemoration of this year’s Kayokayo is slated for Epe on Friday, July 27, 2023, the Islamic Lecture, Quoranic recitation and Quiz Competition aspect of the festival will hold on Saturday, July 28. The Kayokayo festival comes up on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
