Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the commissioner for tourism, arts and culture in Lagos, has described the iconic Eyo festival as the state’s “royal Christmas ceremony”.

Ms Benson-Awoyinka spoke at the Eyo Festival, also known as Adamu Orisha Play, held on Saturday at Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.

The commissioner said that the festival, which was last celebrated eight years ago, was long overdue for it to be celebrated again in the state.

“The Eyo festival is our Christmas. It is our heritage celebration of over 300 years. I believe it was long overdue; however, the eight-year pause actually helped build anticipation. It gave our people time to yearn for it. So, the celebration of our heritage, our culture, is something that we should hold very dearly to us,” she said.

Ms Benson-Awoyinka hailed the festival as “the heartbeat of Lagos’ indigenous identity”, adding she was thrilled to see massive crowds turn out for the celebration.

Femi Odunayo, the chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, affirmed that the festival is “the living heritage of Lagos’ indigenous people”, making its revival worth celebrating.

Mr Odunayo urged Lagos indigenes and residents to continue working together for the betterment of the state and the country as a whole.

Wale Ojo, a Nollywood actor, praised the festival as a breathtaking cultural treasure, urging that it must remain an unbroken part of the state’s living tradition.

Mr Ojo hailed the festival as world-class, noting that it attracted some of his friends from Mexico.

The actor, however, urged the organisers to ensure that the festival remained peaceful and free of hoodlums who might use it to commit crimes.

(NAN)