Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day: Our Culture Remains the Root of Our Identity – RIKAY

 By Peter Dansu  The Executive Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, popularly ...

 By Peter Dansu 

The Executive Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, popularly known as RIKAY, has urged residents to embrace religious tolerance, unity, and cultural preservation as Lagos State celebrated this year’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Hon. Chief Solomon Zosu, RIKAY described Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day as a reminder that culture is the foundation of every community’s identity.

“A community without culture is like a tree without roots. Here in Badagry West, we are proud of both our Ogu and Yoruba heritage, and my administration will continue to preserve these values without bias,” he said.

According to him, the traditions of the Ogu people — represented by emblems such as the Zangbeto, Gunuko, Kori, and Oro — alongside Yoruba cultural practices, symbolize unity in diversity. He stressed that his administration carries everyone along, regardless of faith.

“In Badagry West, we are one people with a common destiny — Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists alike,” Zosu added on behalf of the Chairman.

The celebration began at the Palace of Apa, with a spiritual procession to shrines including Igbo Oro Apa, Egan, Osha Aje Ọja Apa, and Odo Ogbè. Traditional rites, cultural demonstrations, and prayers were performed at each stop.

The Alapa of Apa, HRM Oba Oyekan Adekanmi Ilufemiloye Ajose Posi III, urged traditional custodians to uphold peace and resist the temptation of commercializing sacred objects.

“Our deities are not commodities but sacred symbols of our identity,” the monarch cautioned.

From there, the festivities moved to the Palace of Kweme, where the Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, HRM Oba Sejiro Olalekan James, and his chiefs received the gathering. The monarch emphasized the need to pass cultural values to future generations.

“Without culture, a people lose their soul and direction,” he declared.

One of Kweme’s chieftains, Chief Vothunno, highlighted the kingdom’s uniqueness as the ancestral home of Olokun worship, pointing to its divine geography along the Hule River.

“This land is sacred, and Olokun is rooted here. Our heritage must never be forgotten,” he said.

Both royal fathers commended the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for recognizing Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day as a public holiday and praised the efforts of the new council administration in Badagry West.

They noted that despite having received no allocation less than a month after assuming office, Hon. RIKAY still made provisions to ensure the festival’s success.

The council, in turn, expressed gratitude to traditional rulers, Baales, and heritage custodians for their dedication to cultural preservation.

The ceremony closed with collective prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity, as participants echoed the Ogu blessing:

“Zomadonu — may the land continue to bless its people and strengthen unity.”