Alaafin adjusts Oro Festival schedule to accommodate BECE students

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Alaafin of Oyo and Paramount Ruler of the Oyo Kingdom, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has approved a slight adjustment to this year’s Oro Festival to accommodate candidates participating in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The approval was announced in a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye.

According to the statement, the annual Oro Festival will still hold from July 23 to July 29 as earlier scheduled. However, the movement restriction affecting female residents on the last day of the festival has been shifted until 5 p.m. on July 29.

The palace explained that the decision was taken to ensure that students writing the national examination are not affected by the movement restrictions traditionally associated with the Oro Festival.

Speaking on the development, the Baale of Jabata, Pa Chief Orowale Ajani, said the revised arrangement is a very thoughtful initiative as it would allow female candidates and other affected students to complete their examinations before the restriction comes into effect.

Ajani further urged residents to comply with the modified schedule and continue to respect the customs and traditions observed during the annual Oro Festival.

The palace said the adjustment reflects the Alaafin’s commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the Oyo Kingdom while ensuring that students are given the opportunity to participate fully in their academic activities without disruption.

The BECE is administered by state ministries of education and, in some states, by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).