Kunle Adelabu
-Gets approval for African traditional institute
King Kosoko Royal Family and Oloja Palace of Lagos, have unveiled the family’s cultural and tourism calendar for the year 2024.
The activities ,which are annual events that the family has been staging to preserve the history of late Oba Kosoko who reigned as Oba of Lagos between 1845 and 1851, and later as Oloja of Lagos after his return from Epe where he was exiled, and that of the entire family and by extension, Lagos and Nigeria.
The calendar was unveiled to the media by Prince (Dr.) Abiola Olojo – Kosoko, the Oloja of Lagos elect and the Chief Curator, King Kosoko Memorial Museum, Ereko, Lagos Island, Lagos, during the official commissioning of the memorial museum by the Honourable Minister for Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-Joh, last week.
The custodian of the Kosoko family’s historical materials said that the next event, which usually brings sons and daughters of Kosoko, Lagosians and tourists together at the ancient palace of late King Kosoko, is the annual ‘’Reminiscence’, which is usually staged every April.
“The next activity in the year is called ‘Reminiscence’. ‘Reminiscence’ is all about the the legacy and death of King Kosoko which happened on the 15th of April 1872. Every year, we sit together to do this gathering remembrance of Oba Kosoko”, Prince Kosoko said.
“After the reminiscence, we will be doing the ‘Alliance’, that is the collaboration between the Fulanis and Kosoko that started as far back as 1854. We will be having the 150 years anniversary this year in April 28.
“The Kayokayo festival will definitely take place in Epe. After that, we will be having ‘The Return’. The Return is all about the movement of Kosoko back to Lagos. This comes up on the 15th of September this year. We do it every two years.
“The last one is going to be ‘Exodus’. That is the bombardment of Lagos and movement of Kosoko, his chiefs and people to Epe.
“On that same day on 26th of December, we will have the ‘Eshilokun Day’. Eshilokun Day is the gathering of all the children of Oba Eshinlokun in remembrance of Oba Eshilokun who was the 6th Oba of Lagos. Oba Kosoko happened to be the first one”, he said.
The Oloja – elect also revealed that the government has granted the family the approval to kick off the Kosoko Royal Institute for African Traditions & Cultural Values.
He said that the institute would award Diplomas and other certificates, and will be used in propagating and preserving African traditions and cultural values.
