Posted by By Moyo Fabiyi on
Hundreds of pregnant women and infants below the ages of one and three months, have been ejected from the industrial town of Ota in Ogun State.
Hundreds of pregnant women and infants below the ages of one and three months, have been ejected from the industrial town of Ota in Ogun State.
They were asked to leave the ancient town for their various states like Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, etc. in observance of the Ogbodogi festival, a version of the popular, but dreaded Oro festival in the town.
There are conflicting reports about how long the annual festival would last. While some said it would last three weeks, others said it would last up to three months.
P.M.News learnt that the festival started last weekend, and there will be curfew from mid-night to about 4 a.m., each day throughout the period.
Pregnant women and infants were strictly warned to leave the town during the period of the festival. In a chat with the Moslem leader in the town, Alfa Abdulraheem Ola Ajifenwa, he stated that the festival had been modernised, adding that in the past it used to last for three months.
He further said that he did not foresee a clash between the traditionalists and Moslems in the town during the Ramadan, for the festival will last till the Muslim fasting period, for about two days.
Said he: 'The traditionalists have a lot of respect for Islam because the Olota of Ota, Oba Moshood Alani Oyede, is himself a Muslim.'
P.M.News further learnt that the monarch used his influence to reduce the duration of the festival. Pastor John Okiki, who also spoke with P.M.News, revealed that many of the landlords in the town have put their houses under lock and key pending the conclusion of the festival.
Okiki explained that those travelling to their states are those who don't have relations or friends to put up with in neighbouring towns like Ipaja, Agege, Abule Egba, etc.
As at the time of filing this report, the king was said to be unavailable to comment on the festival. But his secretary, Mrs. Busirat Lawal, said P.M.News can call tomorrow morning, to speak with the Oba.