Olubadan urges women to stay indoors as Oloolu festival begins

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has advised women in areas scheduled for the annual Oloolu masquerade festival to remain indoors when the traditional procession begins on Monday.

The monarch also cautioned the Oloolu masquerade and its worshippers against any action capable of causing violence or disrupting peace during the celebration.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Ayoade Olugbemiga, Oba Ladoja urged participants to conduct themselves responsibly and ensure the festival is celebrated peacefully.

He also called on security agencies to remain alert and protect lives and property throughout the period, stressing the importance of maintaining peace in Ibadanland.

The Olubadan noted that women are traditionally forbidden from seeing the Oloolu masquerade and advised those living along the procession routes to stay indoors as the festival activities take place.

The Oloolu masquerade will on Monday offer prayers for the Olubadan, members of his council, indigenes, residents and the entire Ibadanland before visiting the residence of Otun Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole, at Foko area of the city.

On Tuesday, the masquerade is expected to visit Governor Seyi Makinde at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, alongside other locations including Aliiwo, Yemetu, Oje Market, Isale-Afa, Oke Aremo, Popo-Yemoja, Bode Market, Molete, Isale-Ijebu, Elekuro, Kobomoje and Oranmiyan.

The festival will end on Thursday, July 30, with visits to several communities including Ile-Aperin, Agugu, Iyana Idi-Iroko, Awotunde Jegede, Itamerin-Gangansi and Babanla, as organisers offer prayers for the security, peace, unity, progress and development of Ibadanland.