By Lukman Olabiyi
The vibrant town of Badagry, Lagos State, recently, came alive with the annual Olokun Festival, organised by the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), established by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), to promote Yoruba culture and tradition.
Olokun festival is dedicated to the Yoruba deity of the sea and wealth. it brings together thousands of participants, locals and international tourists, who trooped to the ancient town to promote cultural heritage.
It is rooted in centuries-old traditions and serves as homage to Olokun, revered as the protector of the oceans and a symbol of abundance. The festival highlighted the importance of the sea in the lives of the people, reflecting their deep connection to nature and spirituality.
Olokun is a tapestry of vibrant activities. Traditional drumming and dancing resonated through the air as different masquerades performed intricate dances. There were cultural displays, art exhibitions and food fairs featuring local delicacies, offering attendees a taste of Badagry’s rich culinary landscape.
A significant aspect was the procession to the waterfront, where prayers and offerings were offered to Olokun. This spiritual ceremony is both a celebration of faith and a call for blessings, emphasising community unity and respect for ancestral traditions.
The festival is regarded as a platform for economic growth in Badagry, attracting tourists and boosting local businesses. Hotels, restaurants and artisans benefit significantly, as the influx of visitors creates a vibrant marketplace.
It also promotes awareness of environmental issues affecting the ocean, encouraging sustainable practices among attendees. According to the organisers, this year’s attracted over 50,000 participants, with 50 monarchs in attendance from Republic of Benin, Badagry and other parts of the South West.
Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson, said: “It is interesting to note that OFF has been sustaining the celebration of the annual festival for 22 years. The best is to support the foundation by making it a world festival with global appeal.
She was represented by Chief Executive Officer, Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson: “Though, Osun Osogbo Festival is celebrated in Osun State, it is very much recognised by UNESCO. But we are part of the success story of Osun Osogbo.
“Today, we are celebrating Olokun Festival’s consistent efforts in promoting the cultural fiesta for 22 years. That is why we are endorsing the fiesta as Olokun World Festival, as part of the efforts of the Lagos State Government to promote culture and tradition.”
Akran of Badagry, Oba De-Wheno Aholu Toyi, praised Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, for transforming the annual fiesta into a global event: “Badagry and Yoruba Obas will continue to support any idea or initiative that is tailored towards the ensuring the progress of Yoruba land.”
Royal father of the day, Olowu of Owu Kuta, Osun State, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, urged all the six governors in the South West to support the cultural crusade embarked upon by the Aare Onakakanfo: “Many of the festivals and cultural events celebrated in the developed countries are not bigger and better than what Adams is doing in Yoruba land and Nigeria as a whole.
“It is interesting to tell you all that what we are doing today can be done in a more advanced way. That is why I am appealing to all the South West governors and the Federal Government to support Adams in driving this initiative.
“Yoruba land and Nigeria will be the greatest beneficiaries if we support Adams in pushing Olokun World Festival and other festivals to the global stage.”
Adams responded: “The projection of the organisers of the Olokun World Festival is to locate a permanent site in Badagry, that will be close to the beach as it is done with the Papaya tourist site in Thailand.
“Olokun Festival has brought more spiritual gains to Badagry. Every year, we lend our voices appealing to Federal Government to complete the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The road is almost completed now and we can feel the luxury as we ply the road to Badagry.
“Today, Badagry has turned out to be an oil-producing area, with the discovery of crude oil in five locations across the ancient town. It was the Jonathan administration that had the vision to locate the largest seaport in Africa here in Badagry. The seaport where ships would be repaired. But the project is yet to be executed.
“Until recently, the number of Obas and traditional rulers in Badagry was six or seven. But the number has increased tremendously since we started celebrating Olokun Festival here in Badagry. Now, we have no fewer than 25 prominent traditional rulers in Badagry.
“It is a big record of success and complete transformation of the traditional institution in Badagry. As we celebrate these milestones, we be unveiling the Olokun World Festival that will catapult us to the global community.
“It is our projection to explore the tourism potential of Badagry. We intend to build a mini-stadium here in Badagry. It is our plan also to have our permanent site here in Badagry. We will build a world standard hotel near the Olokun. An hotel of global standard with over 300 rooms for accommodations and luxuries as well as three different halls for conferences and events.
“It will certainly be a replica of Papaya tourism site (beach) in Thailand. All these are our projections and future plans in Badagry.”
Other prominent Obas present included Oba Sulaiman Adesina Adebowale, Omola of Odomola, Epe; Oniladaba of Ladaba, Oba Nureni Ebudola Odedina Alugbin; Onirokun of Irokun, Oba Buhari Ola Balogun and Onimapara of Mapara, Oba Lateef Amodemaja.