Enimere Àkànbí
The Secretary,Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, has admonished traditionalists to use their cultural knowledge and powers to drive away kidnappers and killers of people in their farms and protect their communities.
Comrade Abatan, stated this while addressing journalists at the Pensioner’s House located at Onireke, Ibadan, on the importance of the World Egungun Festival organised by Oyo State government at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan on Thursday.
Comrade Abatan, expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping, assault, and killing of people in their farms and homes.
He highlighted the potency and reliability of traditional practices, citing examples of how traditionalists had successfully treated intraceable problems such as infertility and epilepsy.
Comrade Abatan, however, urged them to draw inspiration from their ancestors, who had used Egungun to confront and resolve dire situations.
He also challenged other state governors to follow Governor Seyi Makinde’s example in promoting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
Comrade Abatan argued that the country’s culture was not evil, but rather a valuable asset that needed to be preserved and promoted.
He praised Governor Makinde, for recognizing and promoting Yoruba Culture and traditions in Oyo State noting that the Governor’s efforts to integrate traditional practices into modern governance were commendable and worthy of emulation by other state governments.
Abatan in his words said “I admonish our traditionalists to take up the gauntlets and drive these marauders from our land using what we have, which is our Culture and Traditions.
In those days our forefathers have had to bring out “Egungun” when confronted with dire situations.
Whole communities have been traditionally policed by our forefathers. All these knowledge and powers still abound with us. Let us use them. Ladies and Gentlemen, let us embrace our Culture and Traditions.
We have been hoodwinked over the demonisation of our culture until we saw a goat being led for sacrifice during the burial of the very late Queen of England sometime last year.
These are the same people that said our traditions are malevolent and should be abolished, While they keep their own traditions jealously, they advised us to throw our own away.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, many of us have been boxed into the two imported religions without us knowing much about their essence.
Many leaders and followers of these two religions have had course to seek help from our traditionalists in their closets when things go wrong for them.
They scorn our traditional worshipers in the daylight but crawl to them at night seeking help! Our culture is still potent, reliable and long lasting.
Intractable problems such as infertility, delayed delivery of babies, epilepsy etc. have been taken care of using our roots and herbs.
I also congratulate the organisers of this festival going from the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun and his team.
In the history of qualitative governance in Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde towered above his peers on all fronts. The recognition of our culture and traditions by the Governor is enlivening.
In all the 36 States of the Federation it is Engineer Seyi Makinde that has recognised our culture and traditions to the extent that traditional prayers are offered alongside Islamic and Christian prayers at events organized by the government.
Not only that, public holidays are dedicated to our culture. Aso-Ofi, our traditional clothing is pronounced to be worn on Wednesdays of the week.
I use this medium to appeal to other Governors in the Federation to emulate His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde in lifting Nigeria’s culture and traditions. Our Culture is not evil” Abatan said.
The second edition of the World Egungun festival was honored by executive and members of the Nigerian Union Pensioners, led by the union’s secretary, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, and other unions and associations in the state.
Highlight of the event was colourful parades of masquerades from various southwest states and neigbouring countries including Togo and Benin Republics.
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