The Ojomo in Council, Ijebu-Owo Progressive Union, youths and stakeholders in Ijebu-Owo have dissociated themselves from the celebration of the 2023 Igogo festival.
According to them, a letter has been written to Ondo State Government and relevant security agencies on the need for caution ahead of the festival.
The content of the letters according to a statement made available to newsmen was to alert the state government and the security agencies of the looming security breaches that could happen on the alleged insistence of taking the celebration to Ijebu kingdom.
The statement alerts that such insistence could spark unhealthy situations if not nip in the bud by relevant stakeholders that have been contacted ahead of the date earlier announced by the organizers of the igogo festival, who included Olijebu of Ijebu-Owo, Oba Kofoworola Olatunbosun Oladoyinbo Ojomo Aruliwo III in their lined up activities without consultation.
The statement insists that Oba Ojomoluda remains resolute and maintains that Ijebu-Owo through Ojomo in Council had resolved to exonerate the community from participating in the festival in the interest of peaceful coexistence.
The statement reads: “Ijebu-Owo is an autonomous community and one of the nine towns that make up the present day Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State and the Prescribed Authority over Ijebu-Owo is Oba (HRM) Major General Olatunbosun Kofoworola Oladoyinbo, the Aruliwo III, the Ojomo Oluda of Ijebu–Owo”.
“It is cogent to inform you that Igogo Festival is not alien to Ijebu-Owo but it is NOT mandatory for Ijebu-Owo town to partake in the celebration of Igogo festival as the traditional rites are limited to Owo town.
“The activities of Ijebu-Owo people in the celebration of Igogo festival is mere that of solidarity and friendship as the main traditional festival in Ijebu-Owo is Ogun festival from time immemorial”.
The Ojomo in Council, Ijebu-Owo youths and stakeholders in the kingdom expressed confidence in the timely intervention by Ondo state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON and other security agencies already contacted.
The statement emphasises the resolves of the people of Ijebu-Owo in sustaining the existing peace in Owo local government Area and Ondo State in general.