Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the ongoing Eyo Festival in Lagos as a unique opportunity to showcase Lagos State’s rich and enduring cultural heritage, saying the celebration reinforces unity, identity, and shared history among Lagosians
The governor spoke on Sunday in Lagos after leading members of the Eyo group to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the President’s Ikoyi residence.
Sanwo-Olu said the festival provides a platform to demonstrate the depth of Lagos culture, noting that societies without strong cultural identity risk extinction.
He added that the Eyo Festival offers an avenue for people to appreciate Lagos’ heritage, in line with the President’s call for a celebration that brings everyone together.
“It’s an opportunity to show the very deep cultural heritage of Lagos.They say a people without a culture is an extinct generation.. So we can use this to explain and for people to see the very deep cultural heritage of Lagos and like the President has said it will be a celebration of some sorts for all of us where all of the various Eyo family will come out in regalia, in unity, in peace, in celebration of the moment and season that we all find ourselves.
So what we have done here is to usher in the Adimu which is the most prominent in the order of ranking. They have come to pay homage to me and now to the President. So this formally commences the full week of Eyo Festival that will now crown it in Saturday December 27. Governor Sanwoolu said.
Read Also: Shakara Trybe to Unveil 30-Foot Christmas Tree Crafted from Local Fabrics
Shakara Festival to Redefine ‘Detty December’ in Lagos
He explained that the forthcoming Eyo Festival is being held in remembrance of four prominent Lagosians and Nigerians: the first Military Administrator of Lagos State, the late Mobolaji Johnson; the first civilian governor of the state, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande; former civilian governor, the late Sir Michael Otedola; and Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the late mother of President Tinubu.
The governor noted that it has been eight years since the last Eyo Festival, expressing satisfaction that preparations have now been concluded for this year’s edition.
“It’s been eight years that we’ve had Eyo Festival and we are happy that we’ve set in motion to have this year’s own. And it’s in memory of four prominent Nigerians and Lagosians.
“The first Military administrator of the state, the late Mobolaji Johnson, the First Civilian Governor of the State, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the late Former Civilian Governor of the State, Sir Micheal Otedola and finally our mother who passed on less than a decade ago, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji who incidentally is the mother of our current President”.
He added that the President’s ties to Lagos, having served as the state’s 12th governor, made the occasion particularly significant.
Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, for granting approval for the Adimu Orisa Eyo to proceed, describing the moment as historic.
He said that, in over six years as governor, this would be the first Eyo Festival he would witness in office, calling it “an icing on the cake.”
According to the governor, the appearance of the Adimu Eyo, the highest-ranking among the Eyo groups, marked the formal commencement of a full week of activities leading to the grand finale of the festival scheduled for Saturday, December 27.
Sanwo-Olu said all Eyo families would participate in unity and brotherhood throughout the week, adding that the President had advised that the festival be considered for inclusion in a formal calendar to strengthen Lagos’ tourism appeal.
He noted that such a move would help project Lagos culture on the international stage, enhance tourism potential, and showcase the state’s diversity, hospitality, and strong cultural identity.