• Lagos community, Ijegun-Egba, seeks deity’s intervention
By Christopher Oji
Indigenes of Ijegun Egun-Egba, Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, are in dire need of a monarch after 120 years. They claimed to have been in existence for more than 500 years.
The reason they trooped out during the recent Ogun Ajobo festival to appease the deity for a king. And they believed it would provide them one.
They were in high spirits and expectant that the town would have its own monarch after 150 years. They also appealed to government to prevail on the local government authorities to desist from interfering with their rights to freedom of worship:
“President Bola Tinubu had approved a monarch for us during his tenure as governor, but we never had one. The approved candidate was not crowned till he died.”
They believed celebrating Ogun festival would herald the crowning of a monarch in the community. One of the leaders of the town, Prince Raji Haruna, said: “It is the biggest celebration among residents of this community. It is our heritage. Our Ogun Ajobo has been our saviour for over 500 years.
“Our forefathers were appeasing it over 500 years ago. With this appeasement, we expect peace and progress in Ijegun Egba, Lagos State and Nigeria. We will want foreigners and investors to celebrate with us next year as we plan to turn it to a cultural fiesta.
A 90-year-old woman, Musilimotu Raji, aka Mama Shoba, said: “Our forefathers celebrated it every year. It is primordial. It belongs to Aina Jagun Aturu, the progenitor of this town. After every appeasement, we enjoy progress, good health and development.
“Ogun used to be our health centre. Traditional worshippers used it in the past for pregnant women to ensure safe delivery. People from all parts of the country used to visit Ijegun Egba to appease Ogun Ajobo. We have allowed non-indigenes to appease it in the past.”
On what she wants from Ogun Ajobo: “We want a king in Ijegun Egba. We want to have our own monarch after all these years.”
A centenarian, 120-year-old Alaba Moliki, said: “I am from the neighbouring town, Ibasa, but I am married to them in Ijegun Egba. I know how valuable Ogun Ajobo has been to them. This Ogun is our heritage. My father is from Ibasa. He has his Ogun. We eat dog meat over there, but here they don’t eat dog meat.”
“Ogun Ajobo will help to crown an Oba in Ijegun Egba. If not for my weakness, I would have done wonders during this celebration.”