Owu kingdom engages Christian, Islamic, traditional mode of worship to kick start annual festival
The Owu Kingdom in Egbaland on Monday kicked started its annual ‘Odun Omo Owu 2023 anniversary with the engagement of the three established religions in Nigeria, comprising Christian, Islamic and Traditional faiths.
Penpushing reports that interfaith religious service took place at the Olowu Palace located in Oke Ago-Owu area of Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, where various leaders of the three religions offered prayers under the same roof to wave off evil forces before, during and after the ceremony.
The Christian body was led by Venerable Solomon Ajakaye of African Church Cathedral, Owu, while Sheik and Chief Imam of Owu Kingdom Kehinde Sulaimon led the Muslim fold and Chief Adeniyi Fagbemi who is the Oluwo Ifa Owu Kingdom led the traditional religion.
Penpushing further reports that the assemblage of the religious bodies was considered as symbolic at the event, which was a prelude to a press conference aimed to herald the 23rd edition of the Odun Omo Olowu in the ancient town
The traditional ruler of the town, Oba Saka Matemilola while responding to observation of Penpushing Media on the need to consider regular and joint conferences for the three religious’ bodies, as avenue to pave way for unity among them, admitted that it was a valid observation.
Penpushing also reports that the monarch disclosed that such is in the pipeline which he assured is going to be regular, in view of the known fact that the three religious bodies are known be worshipping and serving same God, but with different methods
‘Your observation is a good one. I want to say that we have started interface already. There should be constant seminars to unite the three religious’ bodies. If we believe we are serving God sincerely’, Matemilola stated
Penpushing reports that on activities for the six-day events he explained that Odu Omo Olowu is flagship event in the kingdom during which the indigenes both at home and abroad, come together as one large family to promote the spirit of unity and pride of Owu heritage.
The royal father said the event will celebrate and showcase the rich and proud culture, reflecting history, tradition, language, dress sense and overall values of the kingdom, as well as use the festival as an opportunity to strengthen relationships between Owu communities and neighbours
Penpushing further reports that Matemilola said during the ceremony the youths will conduct a coordinated roadshow to heighten awareness of program and weeks of the event, adding that as part of activities the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) will deliver a lecture primarily targeting the youth on the ills and dangers of substance abuse
‘One of the major issues that societies worldwide are battling with is substance abuse. We are all aware of the serious societal and health problems that this has created. We recently created an advocacy group to combat this challenge’, he added
‘We are actively collaborating with the NDLEA and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) to address the menace of substance abuse, cultism and hooliganism in secondary schools across our neighbourhoods
Penpushing also reports that the monarch explained that during the festival scheduled to hold between October 23 to October 28, 2023, he would take time to visit number of townships within the kingdom, adding that at the grand finale some notable indigenes of the town would be conferred with chieftaincy titles
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