The Olu Epe of Epe Kingdom, Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, has said that the ongoing Kayokayo Festival will boost the economic, religious and cultural sectors of the community.
The monarch, who spoke with The Guardian, at the weekend, said that Epe being dominantly a Muslim community, the religious aspect of the festival would serve as an opportunity to pray for the growth and stability of the community, state and country.
“The social aspect of the festival is the communal bonding where we will eat and drink. We will also get to meet with new people, while the cultural aspect will be to commemorate the grand entry of Oba Kosoko in Epe,” he stated.
The monarch said that the festival is a platform to promote the socio-economic activities of the community, adding that the event has evolved to be interesting and acceptable for the younger generation.
He added that the festival, which began on Friday, would be rounded off on Saturday with a boat ride, symbolic of Prophet Noah’s Ark.
“The festival is celebrated during the first month of the Islamic calendar in commemoration of ‘Yaom-al Ashura’, the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.
“That is about a month after the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir,” he said.
Oba Adewale preached tolerance and unity among Nigerians, stressing that there is strength in diversity.
