Gelede Festival in Igbobi-Sabe to Reawaken the Culture of the Town
The Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, has vowed to sustain the age-old tradition of Gelede, which he describes as the only festival in the community celebrated to promote its culture, traditions, and rich heritage.
He also promised to preserve the Gelede festival inherited from their forefathers in Igbobi-Sabe from going into extinction.
While briefing newsmen at his Gbobi-Sabe Palace within the Yaba LCDA, Oba Adeniyi traced the origin of Gelede to Ketu in the Republic of Benin, adding that it was brought to the town by settlers who migrated from that region to present-day Igbobi-Sabe.
He further stated that the Gelede Festival is used to pray for the prosperity of the town and to appease God so that the area continues to witness peace and progress.
According to the traditional ruler, some of the activities lined up for this year’s Gelede celebration include novelty traditional games such as Ayo Olopon, Draft, and Ludo, slated for Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
Another program to mark the festival is Efe Night, which will be held on November 28. This night will feature a gathering of sons and daughters in front of the Gbobi-Sabe Palace to celebrate, with Oba Adeniyi noting that without Efe, there would be no Gelede, as the two go hand in hand in entertaining the people.
Oba Adeniyi disclosed that the grand finale for this year’s Gelede would take place on November 29 in front of the palace, where various Gelede performances will entertain eminent personalities and indigenes of Lagos, including Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, former Deputy Governor Mr. Femi Pedro, while Fuji artist Sule Malaika will provide entertainment for the guests that night.
The traditional ruler emphasized that the Gelede festival is comparable to other well-known festivals like Eyo, Egungun, Agemo, and Igunuko, expressing hope that it will attract tourists from around the world, similar to the Ojude Oba and Eyo festivals.
Oba Adeniyi mentioned that the Gelede Festival has been registered with the Lagos State Arts and Culture department and is listed among the cultural festivals in Lagos State. Efforts are underway to register the festival with the Tourism Development Corporation.
The Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe commended the Lagos State Government for its efforts in promoting the culture of various communities, noting that Governor Sanwo-Olu has done well by including tourism in his THEMES Plus Agenda, asserting that unique tourist attractions, if well harnessed, would contribute to the state’s revenue.
The Baale of Makoko Tuntun, Chief Akeem Adeshina Bello-Ekelojuoti, who is the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, assured attendees of a hitch-free Gelede Festival, promising tourists and residents adequate security for their lives and property.
Other dignitaries at the media briefing included Chief Adewale Abiodun Abayomi of Gbobi-Sabe and Chief Kolawole Aruna Ali-Dawudu, Baale of Abule Ijesha.
