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By Dedeigbo Ayodeji
The Spiritual leader of all Orisa Traditional Religions Worldwide, Oba Ambassador Jamiu Adewale Eletu, has urged the Yoruba to emulate their traditional religion instead of uninformed foreign ones.
The monarch made the call during a media briefing on the annual Igbarumole celebration billed for August 22 to 28 in Sangotedo, area of Ibejulekki, Local Government, a suburb of Lagos State.
He noted that foreign religions have negatively affected Nigerians in terms of language, dressing and behaviour.
Oba Eletu also advised Yoruba traditional rulers to continue promoting Yoruba cultures and religions.
The Igbarumole celebration will be graced by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi 1, and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi, and other prominent Nigerians.
According to Oba Eletu: “The festival comes up every year. It is a title to our forefathers. The significant of the festival is to remember our forefathers, who created heaven and the earth.
“Shedding more light on the culture and tradition is when you see our masquerade; that is when we are talking of cultures and traditions. During the masquerade festival period, you will see all types of dressings and hairdo. That is when we are talking of culture and tradition.
We fixed this festival to remember our culture and our language.
“My advice to all Yoruba-speaking people is that they should not forget the culture and tradition to emulate and imbibe the cultural value, beliefs and also not to forget the language.
The monarch condemned parents that discourage their children from speaking their local languages.
“Most especially when you see some parents, they will be telling their children don’t speak native language. What is the meaning of all that? Overseas, people speak English, which is their natural language.
“In Brazil, they speak Yoruba language. Meanwhile foreign lands made it compulsory to speak their language; why can’t we also make it compulsory for them to speak our own language here in Nigeria?
“We should also make it compulsory for them to speak our Language also here in Nigeria; the moment they fail to do so, we should not transact business with them.
Speaking on the Igbarumole festival, the monarch said: “We should be expecting different types of cultures and different tribes in Yoruba. We have tribes like Obatala, Oduduwa, Osun, Ogun, which is the god of Iron, and Eegun, which is the masquerade, all these are to be expected at the festival so that we will not forget our culture.
“The activities lined-up will be starting on August 22 through 28, 2021 which we will serve all the deities.
“Then on Friday we will pray for the nation,and worldwide so that we will not experience Covid 19 pandemic and other diseases.
“Lagos State is in support of the festival. Culture and religion are merged together because where you see a culture, you must see a religion.
“The kanguage and the slogan attached to the Culture is the way we speak to ourselves.
“We have the support of Ogun State government through the Ogun State Art and Culture. Also, we are supported by Oyo and Ekiti state governments and so on through the State Art and Culture.
“My message to the Lagos State government is that they should participate in all the cultural and traditional displays because Lagos State is like a father, who gave birth to ten Children which you must take care of all of equally; you just can’t cater for one and forget others. So, my advise to Lagos State government is to participate in all the Religions in the State and in Nigeria,” Oba Eletu Concluded.
