Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Festival’s grand finale holds Saturday
The historic procession to various royal and prominent houses in Epe, which is part of the annual Kayokayo festival in Epe, was led by His Royal Majesty, Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, Bamgbopa Eshinlokun I, the Olu of Epe, who was accompanied by Prince Abiola Olojo – Kosoko, the Oloja of Lagos – elect.
The historic movement, commenced at the Popo- Oba where the King Kosoko statue is erected, with prayer by the Olu of Epe and Chief Imam Epe, Imam Abdulrahman Abiola Sadala. The Popo – Oba served as the late King’s resting arena while he sojourned in Epe.
At the place, Prince Abiola Kosoko, who commended the Epe monarch, traditional and religious institutions for preserving the King Kosoko memory, showed the late King last walking stick and scepter which he prayed with.
Some of the historic places visited by the team to pay homage were: Ogungbemi family house also at Oke Oba/Popo –Oba, where late King Kosoko used to sleep while in Epe. The palace, according to Prince Kosoko, is the only place that his great ancestor slept throughout his stay in Epe.
Late Oba Kosoko, after his relaxation at the Popo –Oba, usually walk home at night to the Ogungbemi palace with the aid of Efufu (light on a mood plate). His palace then, is known today as Late Oba M.D Kasim Morounfolu Okun – Oye palace at Oke Balogun.
Chief Imam Epe, Imam Abdulrahman Abiola Sadala, speaking at Popo – Oba before the commencement of the procession, said that the festival is in remembrance of the late founder of Epe Kingdom.
“We are gathered here to remember the Hijrah that late ancestor (Oba Kosoko) performed from Lagos to Epe, in 1851, which has turned out great. It has brought so much progress and development. It was a movement with so many blessings”, the Chief Imam said.
“Since then, there has been progress and expansion for Epe”, he added.
“We thank the Oloja – elect, Prince Abiola Kosoko who has been with us since we started this year’s Kayokayo festival, and he has participated in all the activities alongside other members of the Kosoko family.
“It is a thing of joy for them to see what their ancestor had founded progressing and bearing good fruits. This is why it is convenient for them to come to Epe, at any time that they are pleased”.
From the arcade, the procession stopped over at the palace of the present Olu of Epe, at Isale Agoro Ward, where prayers were offered for the Oba, his entire family and his late ancestors.
Other compound visited at the Isale-Agoro Ward were: Amuni house, Agoro house, Balogun Agaba compound, Adelakun Agaba compound, Anifowoshe compound, Iga Garuba Abubakare Onija Ottun Royal family and Ajilogba compound (the present Olu of Epe mother’s compound).
Those visited at Oke-Balogun Ward were: Seriki Odibo Atepete House, Saunth compound, Ile Abbass, Late Oba M.D Kasim Morounfolu Okun – Oye palace, Chief Balogun Ajeniya compound, Ekemode Foyal family Compound, Bamgbose compound (the Lagos Deputy Governor’s mother’s compound), Alfa Imota Salaama Compound and Osiefa compound.
The movement also paid homage at Ile Abidakun, the first Olu – Epe compound at Bado – Oke Ward, among other places.
After the procession and visitations to Bado – Oke, the large procession train moved to the prominent and historic area of Epe, Oke Oba/Popo – Oba, with visit to Madoti compound, Ogunsan family, Ogungbemi family house, Chief Gbenle Compound and Balogun Obasere House.
Comrade Giwa Ismail, President, Epe Youth Forum, said that the procession is a major tradition used in honouring important families in Epe.
“Today (Thursday) is the fifth day for the programme of Kayokayo visitation to royal houses, for prayers. All the houses that we are visiting today, are the ones that came with King Kosoko when he was coming to Epe. This is the reason the Olu – Epe needed to visit the houses and bless the families and their late ancestors”, he said.
“We really thank Almighty Allah for this year’s programme. In fact, many indigenes came back from abroad to witness the festival. Also, those in Lagos and all over the country too also joined us to make the festival more interesting than before”.
The former Vice Chairman of Epe Local Government, Hon. Agbadanla Ibrahim, also speaking with THE IMPACT, said that the procession is used in paying homage to the important houses of late King Kosoko’s followers.
“Today’s visitations are to houses of powerful followers of King Kosoko, who followed him from Lagos to Epe”, he said.
“So, I felt so happy that they were in our house today. In actual fact, they have been coming here since the olden days, but at a point, the tradition stopped. It has now been returned, and everything is back to normal. We are very happy”.
The grand finale of the 2023 Epe Kayokayo festival holds on Saturday, August 5 (tomorrow) at the lagoon front (Marina) in Epe.
