Olubadan Suspends Egungun Festival For Peaceful Sallah

The Olubadan Advisory Council has suspended the annual Egungun Festival to allow for the celebration of the Muslim Eid-il-Kabir celebration.

The monarch, Oba Lekan Balogun, after the payment of the traditional homage at his ancient Aliiwo Palace, where members of his Advisory Council teamed up with him to host the masquerades, said this was due to the Eid-el-Kabir festival which almost coincided with the annual traditional festival.

According to him, the Egungun Festival has been suspended till next week to avoid a clash between Islamic faithful and Egungun festival adherents.

He added that this was the decision of his Council before yesterday’s date was fixed and it was done in recognition of the need to respect the individual and collective rights of all Ibadan residents.

Meanwhile, the paramount ruler of Ibadanland has asked the adherents of the festival to be peaceful in their celebration by ensuring that the residents of the metropolis have good testimony of the festival and something to look forward to in the coming years.