Chai! If you no hear about Eyo Festival for Lagos, abeg wetin you dey do?

This year, our own Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu don talk say the festival na serious matter wey go show Lagos as not only economic hot spot but also as culture and tourism paradise wey dey catch eye worldwide. Make I break am down for una.

On Sunday, the Ijade Opa Eyo procession carry the whole Lagos Island go dey jolly-jolly! Na there the Olori Eyo, White Cap chiefs, and plenty traditional leaders come gather up to pay homage for the governor, matter wey dey happen before the main Eyo Festival go start for December 27. Big names go dey honored this time, like the late Iyaloja-General, Chief Abibat Mogaji, who be mama of President Bola Tinubu, and others wey don serve Lagos State with plenty gist.

This procession wey dem do, e no be small thing; e dey show Lagos commitment to preserve our rich cultural heritage, as dem follow the Opambata, wey represent guidance and protection. Na so the city dey show love for wetin make we unique, while e dey dance the dance of tradition.

Governor Sanwo-Olu wey sabi fresh gist talk say this Eyo Festival go sweet pass, full of joy! Him stress say culture na wetin dey define us, wetin we go fit carry change from one generation to another. He talk say, “People without culture dey waka towards extinction!” Na this maana, we go show everybody say Lagos no be only commercial center but also a big melting pot for culture and tourism.

He also appreciate all the people wey come out in large number—abeg, everyone wey wear that symbolic black-and-white attire deserve some kudos! That cloth na serious representation of unity, peace, and progress; e no be juju matter oh!

Na for this event, the Olori Eyo, Chief Adebola Dosunmu, con talk say the procession na important step before the main festival; him confirm am say make e plenty people fit no forget the dos and don’ts wey dey guide this occasion, like no footwear, no caps, and no snapping of sacred Orishas. But if you dey snap Eyo masquerades, no wahala. E be culture matter o, no be religion wahala.

This whole Ijade Opa Eyo procession na reminder say Lagos culture strong like lion! E dey bind us together, and e go continue to shine as we dey show the world wetin we get for our history, identity and tourism appeal. So, gear up for December 27, make we jolly-jolly for our Eyo Festival!