Sanwo-Olu Receives Opambata as Lagos Gears Up for Eyo Festival

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday received the ceremonial Opambata as the city launched activities leading to this year’s Eyo Festival, a celebration that spotlights Lagos as a cultural and tourist hub.

The event, known as Ijade Opa Eyo, saw the Olori Eyo, White Cap chiefs, traditional leaders, and festival participants pay homage to Governor Sanwo-Olu and representatives of notable personalities to be honoured during the festival, scheduled for Saturday, December 27. Honourees include the late Iyaloja-General, Chief Abibat Mogaji, mother of President Bola Tinubu; Lagos’ first military governor, Mobolaji Johnson; the first civilian governor, Lateef Jakande; and Third Republic governor, Sir Michael Otedola.

The procession moved through historic locations on Lagos Island, featuring ceremonial processions with the Opambata, a symbol of guidance, protection, and the passing of tradition. Performances of the Adimu Orisa festival songs, accompanied by prayers and cultural displays, added a spiritual and historical dimension to the gathering.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the festival as a "powerful expression of identity and continuity," noting that the event reinforces Lagos’ cultural relevance. He praised the turnout of participants and highlighted the symbolic black-and-white attire as a representation of unity and progress.

"The Eyo Festival will be a day of joy and pride, reflecting the depth of our cultural heritage and welcoming both local and international guests," Sanwo-Olu said. "Culture is the bedrock of relevance. Without it, a people risk losing identity and continuity."

The Governor also thanked the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, for supporting the 2025 festival after eight years, emphasizing the collaboration between traditional institutions and the state in preserving Lagos’ customs.

Chief Adebola Dosunmu, the Olori Eyo, outlined the procession’s cultural guidelines, including restrictions on footwear, caps, scarves, and photographing sacred Orishas, while distinguishing between culture and religion. He noted that these customs remain an inherited identity handed down through generations.

The Ijade Opa Eyo procession reinforced Lagos’ commitment to protecting its ancestral heritage, highlighting culture as a unifying force and a pillar for tourism, history, and civic pride in the state.