News
Ooni set to host AyanAgalu drum festival
By Jeleel Olawale
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, alongside Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, cultural ambassador of the AyanAgalu Traditional Drum Festival, is set to host this year AyanAgalu Traditional Drum Festival 2024.
The Traditional Drum Festival will hold July 17th and 18th, 2024 at the Palace and Ife Grand Resort in Ile-Ife.
This is contained in a statement by Olarewaju Emmanuel said, following the success of its inaugural edition last year, this year’s festival is highly anticipated.
The main celebration will take place at the Ojaja Arena within Ife Grand Resort, where the vibrant sounds of drums will create an electrifying atmosphere.
AyanAgalu, is revered as one of the deities sent by Olodumare to the earth for the progress, development, and happiness of mankind, holds a significant place in the cultural identity of the Oduduwa race.
The statement noted further that, seeking divine guidance, AyanAgalu consulted the Oracle through Orunmila, the deity of divination, to receive blessings for honour, wealth, and celebration among people and other deities.
“Ifa divination revealed the sacred drumming tools and materials, such as sticks, skin, and drum belts, used for AyanAgalu’s revered sacrifices—a tradition that remains central to drumming ceremonies to this day.
“The Oduduwa race, renowned as pioneers of drumming and music, shares an extraordinary connection with AyanAgalu. As deities call upon AyanAgalu to grace their ceremonies, the rhythmic beats and soul-stirring melodies bring joy and illumination to these auspicious occasions, in harmony with the ancient prophecies divined by Ifa,” Olarewaju said.
In an effort to foster cultural exchange and global appreciation for traditional rhythms, the Ooni has extended an invitation to drummers and cultural enthusiasts from Nigeria and beyond to join in the Annual AyanAgalu Festival.
The world awaits an enchanting display of culture and heritage as the AyanAgalu Drums Festival draws near, promising an unforgettable experience that will resonate with the hearts of attendees and pay homage to the rich tapestry of traditions woven through time.
In a move to ensure the success as one of Nigeria’s most iconic cultural events, Ooni has appointed Prince Adewale Laoye as the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the upcoming Ayan Agalu Festival 2024.
The two-day festival will celebrate the rich drumming heritage of the Yoruba people. As a respected personality and CEO of Aafin Ilu, Prince Laoye’s leadership is expected to elevate the festival’s significance and promote unity.
In a statement, Prince Laoye expressed his deep honour at the appointment, stating, “The Ayan Agalu Festival is a cherished event that promotes peace, harmony, and pride in our cultural identity.
“I look forward to working with the talented organising committee to curate an exceptional experience showcasing our drumming traditions to the world. I also thank His Imperial Majesty and Her Royal Majesty for their trust in my capabilities.”
Under his guidance, the 2024 festival will feature performances by master drummers, expert-led workshops, displays of various Yoruba drumming styles, and a grand finale uniting all participants in a powerful show of unity.
The sacred Ayan Agalu drum has historically served as an instrument for communicating the message of peaceful coexistence globally. This year’s event aims to amplify the message through rhythmic celebrations and competitions drawing talent from across Africa.
A 27-year-old employee of KAM Steel Integrated Company, Yahaya Ibrahim, was crushed to death by an engine roller at the company’s factory along the Sagamu-Ogijo Expressway in Ogun State.
The incident occurred at 4:50 am on Sunday, July 7, 2024, when the deceased slipped and fell on the machine while working at the company’s plant.
It was gathered that efforts by other staff members to rescue the victim were unsuccessful, as the roller crushed him to death.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident on Sunday stated that the deceased’s body had been taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital morgue.
“Our men on traffic inspection visited the scene when we received a distress call. It was an industrial accident. The body has been deposited at the OOUTH morgue in Sagamu,” Odutola stated.
Obasa said this in an interview with the newsmen on the sidelines of the launch of the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation in Lagos.
He said that there was need for such legislation.
The foundation was launched at a public presentation sponsored by Lotus Bank in Lagos.
It aims to empower less privileged Muslims and alleviate poverty by promoting Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf.
Obasa explained that the proposed law would empower the state government and foundations like the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation to regulate aid soliciting.
According to him, the law will also ensure donations reach the needy without them having to beg on the streets.
He noted that the rising number of beggars in Lagos necessitated this regulation.
“We are looking at how we can manage such situations to stop beggars from parading the streets of Lagos begging for alms.
“Following such legislation, anyone caught begging on the streets or aiding such, particularly among children, would also be sanctioned according to the law,” Obasa said.
Speaking on the foundation’s launch, Obasa highlighted the benefits of Zakat, which helps both payers and beneficiaries by eradicating poverty.
“It is important for anyone blessed by God to reach out to the less privileged.
“This should start from the immediate family and extend to every other member of society.
“The essence is to make everyone equal, or at least to move people from poverty and make them feel comfortable,” he added.
Sheikh Sulayman Nolla, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation, emphasised the foundation’s goal of unifying all Muslims in Lagos.
Nolla, also the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, noted that the foundation serves all, regardless of religious background, and aims to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor by pooling resources.
Mrs Kafilat Araoye, Managing Director of Lotus Bank, stated that the bank is supporting the foundation financially, technically, and administratively, ensuring adherence to Sharia and Islamic finance principles.
Araoye stressed the need for permanent solutions to poverty rather than temporary palliatives, given the country’s current economic realities.
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, requiring eligible Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth annually to aid the poor.
It is typically 2.5 per cent of a Muslim’s total savings and wealth above a minimum amount, or “nisab,” each lunar year.
Sadaqah is a voluntary charitable act, while Waqf is an Islamic endowment of property for charitable or religious purposes.
The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) on Sunday advised Nigerians not to engage in panic buying of fuel for stockpiling purposes.
Its Executive Secretary, Mr Clement Isong, gave this advice in an interview with the newsmen due to the ongoing queues at filling stations across Lagos.
Isong explained that the shortfall of product in most stations was due to adverse weather and hunderstorms that delayed ship-to-ship (STS) trans-loading, among others.
Others, he said, included berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, creating a disruption in station supply logistics.
He noted that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had also warned that the loading of petrol should be avoided during rainstorms and lightening.
Isong emphasised that petroleum products were flammable and required transportation, dispensation, consumption and storage in strictly controlled and regulated manners.
“Any deviation from these regulations poses significant danger and risks, including fatalities.
“We wish to reiterate that there is no cause for alarm. We strongly urge Nigerians to avoid panic buying or stockpiling of petrol.
“This behaviour not only creates artificial scarcity but also poses a significant safety hazard,” Isong said.
He added that the delay in loading petroleum products at depots due to storms contributed to the shortfall of stocks in filling stations.
“Many trucks could not load product for over 48 hours during the storm.
“Now that the weather is clear, marketers have begun loading, and all trucks have commenced distribution of fuel to all stations across the country.
“We want to assure Nigerians that there is no scarcity, and they should not stock petrol at home,” he said.
He recalled that Malam Mele Kyari, the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., had said that the Customs had inaugurated a team named, “Operation Whirlwind” to combat the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
He quoted Kyari as saying that the the team would protect the nation’s economy from the adverse effects of smuggling petroleum products.
Isong also mentioned that illegal smuggling of the product to neighbouring countries had increased the country’s consumption to between 58 to 60 million litres per day.
To address this, he noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL), had tightened up the supply chain to avoid illegal smuggling.
According to Isong, NNPCL is buying and importing petrol at international prices and selling at a considerably domestic price. newsmen who monitored the situation in Lagos, reported that queues for petrol have resurfaced in parts of the city, with fuel stations packed with vehicles waiting to fill their tanks.
The long queues extended to road networks, causing gridlock in some areas.
Some consumers were also seen queuing at closed filling stations in hopes of accessing the product.
Long queues were observed at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) stations on Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, Bariga, and the Ogba axis of Lagos.
Similar situations were seen at NIPCO stations in Fadeyi, Surulere, and Ago Palace Way.
In Epe, queues for petrol were prevalent at T-Tap, TotalEnergies, Enyo and Petrocam.
In Ikorodu Town, vehicles were lined up at Mobil, TotalEnergies, NIPCO, and Malo stations at Odogunyan First Gate.
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