Government Ban Against Closure Of Markets For Festival: Akure High Chiefs Appeals For Restraint

The Senior High Chiefs of the Akure Kingdom popularly known as ‘Iwarefa Mefa’ has called for restraint on the part of the government of Ondo State on its recent statement saying it has placed a ban on the closure of markets and shops during the traditional festival period across the entire State.

Rising from it’s meeting on Wednesday, the Senior High Chiefs of Akure Kingdom through the press release jointly signed by High Chief Olufemi Olubodun, the Olisa of Akure Kingdom; High Chief (Arch.) Olufemi Bello, the Odopetu of Akure Kingdom; High Chief Segun Adedipe, the Elemo of Akure Kingdom; High Chief Anthony Falowo, the Aro of Akure Kingdom; High Chief Ayo Oluyide, the Ojomu of Akure Kingdom as well as High Chief Sola Adegbonmire, the Asae of Akure Kingdom and sent to the Treasure Newspaper, all frowned at the disposition of the State government towards the observance and celebrations of traditional festivals in Akure Kingdom.

The ‘Iwarefa Mefa’ through the press release said their attention was drawn to the ongoing debate of government’s alleged pronouncement with respect to the ban or partial ban placed on traditional festival and closure of shops in observance of such festivals.

The Akure Senior High Chiefs used the opportunity to douse tensed nerves of the Akure major traditional stakeholders on the issue, making them all to realize that the Government did not ban their festivals and will not do such considering the fact that it is an age-long tradition and cultural practices of the people of Akure Kingdom.

They reminded the people in government that, the Ahaeregbe and Onisibi Festivals are jointly celebrated in Oba Ile as well as Akure.

“They assured the good people of Akure Kingdom who had shown their opposition to such move and pronouncement that there is no cause for alarm over the recent development as their traditions and rights will not in any way be infringed upon”.

However, “they stated emphatically that they will continue to dialogue with the Government so as to fashion out the best ways that would further entrench and strengthen the cultural practice and traditions of the Akure people so as to make it more attractive and in tune with best global practices”.

Also, they sound a note of warning to Akure people, saying, they will not tolerate the irresponsible acts of some unscrupulous elements who might want to take undue advantage of the festival periods to perpetrate crime.

According to them, they said, “they are aware of the activities of marauding gangs of youths whose activities might have tainted their sacred traditions, 2nd urged the security agents to treat them as criminals and hoodlums which is the class they belong to.

They used the opportunity to also condemn the incident where a woman was robbed at her Oba-Ile residence. “Such a development is condemnable and it’s a case of daylight robbery as such incident does not represent the true character of an Akure man nor its traditions”, the Senior High Chiefs declared.p

They also urged the people of the State to disregard insinuations that, the revered Deji of Akure Kingdom gave out the instructions to people to act in Oba Ile as being rumored. They maintained that Oba – Ile itself is a custodian of the traditional practice in Akure Kingdom.

Continuing, they submitted that without any iota of contradictions, that all festivals of Akure land will be observed as practiced and be devoid of any form of confrontations or infractions of the law or any individual’s right.

They however called on the Government to continue to rid the society of criminality and the Akure Community will continue to support the Government in the efforts.

“We know fully well that no responsible Government will want to toy with security of the lives and properties of her people considering the prevailing security challenges across the Country”.

“We wish to sound a note of warning to all disgruntled elements who might want to hide under the celebration of our festivals to cause mayhem to desist forthwith as the long arm of the law will catch up with them and dealt with decisively”.

The Senior High Chiefs equally appealed to all Akure indigenes and residents to remain calm, law abiding and avoid taking laws into their hands as the Akure Community will continue to dialogue with the Government on all grey areas.