This year’s edition of the annual traditional ‘Oro’ festival, usually held in Ikorodu, Lagos State has been scheduled for 16th May 2024, daytime and nighttime.
This was disclosed in a letter issued by the Ayangburen Palace and signed by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi; a copy of which was sighted by NEWSMEN on Sunday.
The letter, dated 16th April 2024, was addressed to the Medical Director of the Ikorodu General Hospital.
The letter, titled ‘Notification of Magbo (Oro) Festival 2024,’ read: “This is to notify you of the above festival, which is slated for Thursday, 16th May 2024.
“According to tradition, all females are advised to remain in their respective homes and avoid moving around the town during the Oro festival.
“Please note that your organisation is affected by falling within the Oro traditional jurisdictions. You are hereby advised to adhere to the traditions of the town”.
The Oro festival, among others, is a prominent festival in the Yoruba tradition.
It’s celebrated by male descendants and usually characterised by a daytime procession and high-pitched sounds in some areas or across the community as the case may be.
It is believed that females mustn’t be present during the ritual rites of the festival.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho; and the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Superintendent Benjamin Hundeyin did not pick their calls in order to have their reaction on Sunday.
Efforts made to get more clarification on the matter from the Ikorodu Palace also did not yield positive results as the calls made were unanswered.
