The 2025 Egungun Festival in Okaka town in the Oke Ogun region of Oyo State, Nigeria has been hailed as a resounding success, with the Olokaka of Okaka land, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdul Azeez Olatunji Ayoola Ogelende IV, Gbadewolu I, charging indigenes to continue promoting their rich cultural heritage. In a grand ceremony attended by prominent Okaka sons and daughters, the monarch emphasized the importance of collective efforts in transforming and developing the ancient town.
“Our ancestors have accepted our sacrifice, as reflected in the symbolic drizzling of rain during the celebration,” Oba Olatunji Ayoola declared, shortly after the sacrificial he-goat was beheaded at the ancient Sango market square, Oja Sango. The monarch expressed gratitude to the attendees for participating in the festival, following their attendance at the funeral service of a prominent woman in the town.
The Olokaka highlighted the remarkable progress achieved in Okaka within a short period, attributing the success to the collaborative efforts of all Okaka indigenes at home and in the diaspora. “The newly constructed police station along Okaka/Otu, transformer, and other notable developmental projects in the town were achieved through the collective contributions of Okaka residents,” he stated. The monarch urged Okaka indigenes in the diaspora not to relent in contributing their quota to the growth and development of their fatherland.
The 2025 Okaka Egungun Festival featured an array of captivating masquerades, including Alapala, Ajise, Ahuda, Dangboro, Alapala Efe, Ilokoja, and Jigbanjigban, among others. In their separate remarks, Okaka chiefs, comprising Jagun of Okaka Raji Olaniyi, the Ooto of Okaka Salawu Ayanwale, the Ikolaba of Okaka Dauda Ademola, Mayeloye of Okaka Alhaji Ibrahim Taiwo Oduniyi, Olukotun of Okaka Moshood Bello, and Baale Bootun Ganiyu Adefabi, called for peace, love, and unity among the people of Okaka land.
In their goodwill messages, notable dignitaries, including the Ekarun of Otu Chief Samson Tanimoowo, Araba Awo of Oke Ogun Chief Ifagboyega Oyedokun, and a son of the soil, Mr. Oyedemi Muniru aka Obabiolorun, emphasized the significance of the Egungun Festival as a unifier, geared towards meaningful interactions. “Our culture, tradition, and religion are sine qua non, hence the need to promote our culture and tradition without any bias,” they stressed.
The festival was witnessed by a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Kola Olabiyi, and other dignitaries, who commended the Okaka community for their rich cultural heritage and unity. As the celebration drew to a close, the Olokaka and Okaka chiefs reiterated their commitment to promoting the town’s development and cultural heritage, while urging indigenes to continue working together towards a brighter future.
