President Bola Tinubu has described the Eyo festival of Lagos as a powerful expression of Nigeria’s rich culture and identity.

Mr Tinubu said on Saturday that the festival underscored the nation’s heritage and celebrated the lives and legacies of distinguished Lagosians whose contributions helped to shape the state and the entire nation.

The festival was held at the Tafa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.

The festival, also known as Adamu Orisa Play, is an iconic cultural celebration of Lagos done to commemorate the passing of traditional rulers or other illustrious children of th state.

The festival features masquerades known as Eyo, clad in flowing white robes, hats, and carrying staffs known as Opambata, as they hold a procession through major streets on Lagos Island.

This year’s festival was in honour of the late Abibatu Mogaji, Mr Tinubu’s mother and revered market leader, former Governor Lateef Jakande, Mobolaji Johnson, and Michael Otedola.

In a speech attributed to the president and printed in the event programme, Mr Tinubu said it was heartwarming to witness the festival in honour of the late distinguished leaders.

He stated that the vision and  influence of the late leaders, as well as their diligence in public service, helped to nurture Lagos State to national and international prominence.

He described the festival as more than a celebration, saying that it reflected the rich culture, beliefs and traditions of Lagos and Nigeria at large.

“The glamour of white-robed figures parading the streets in celebration of distinguished Lagosians sends a resounding message about our identity as a people and as a country,” the president said.

Mr Tinubu added that the timing of the festival, coinciding with the ‘Detty December’ season, highlighted the immense tourism potential of Nigeria, especially as Lagos continued to attract Nigerians in the Diaspora and foreigners.

He congratulated the Lagos government, the state’s traditional institutions and  Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

Mr Tinubu also praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and the executive council for the honour accorded the families of the honourees.

“I am especially grateful for the honour bestowed upon my late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the iyaloja-general of Nigeria and a highly revered women leader,” Mr Tinubu said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu described the Eyo festival as a powerful affirmation of Lagos’s identity, resilience, and unbroken connection to history. He noted that the Adimu Orisa tradition returned in full splendour at the festival after an eight-year interval.

“Today, we gather on this historic ground at the Tafawa Balewa Square, wrapped in the timeless majesty of the Eyo Festival, the sacred Adimu Orisa. After an eight-year interval, this revered tradition returns in full splendour, standing as a powerful affirmation of our identity, our resilience and our unbroken connection to our history,” the governor said.

(NAN)