Lagos Community Sends Serious Warning Telling Women To Remain Indoors Today

The forthcoming annual traditional ‘Oro’ festival, a customary event deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Ikorodu, Lagos State, has been officially slated for May 16, 2024, encompassing both daytime and nighttime activities.

This announcement came through a letter issued by the Ayangburen Palace and endorsed by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, as seen in a letter.

Dated April 16, 2024, the missive was directed to the Medical Director of the Ikorodu General Hospital, bearing the subject ‘Notification of Magbo (Oro) Festival 2024.’

The letter explicitly conveyed the festival’s scheduling, cautioning females to remain within their households and abstain from traversing the town during the Oro festivities.

In the words of the letter, “According to tradition, all females are advised to remain in their respective homes and avoid moving around the town during the Oro festival. Please note that your organisation is affected by falling within the Oro traditional jurisdictions. You are hereby advised to adhere to the traditions of the town.”

The Oro festival holds significance within Yoruba tradition, predominantly celebrated by male descendants. It typically features a daytime procession and resonates with high-pitched sounds across specific areas or throughout the community.

Notably, the festival’s ritual rites dictate the exclusion of females from its proceedings.

Despite attempts to garner official responses, both the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, and the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, were unreachable for comment on Sunday. Additionally, inquiries directed to the Ikorodu Palace for further clarification remained unanswered.