By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare

History and Origin

The Eyo Festival, also known as the Adamu Orisha Play, stands as one of Africa’s most iconic cultural processions and the highest traditional honour in Lagos. Deeply rooted in the history of Lagos Island, its formal emergence dates to 1854, during the reign of Oba Akintoye.
Traditionally instituted to escort the soul of a departed Oba or a highly distinguished Lagosian into the afterlife, the festival symbolises peace, continuity and prosperity for the land. Over time, it evolved beyond funerary rites into a rare ceremonial honour reserved for individuals whose lives and legacies have profoundly shaped Lagos and Nigeria.
Oba Akintoye is historically recognised as the first major royal personality accorded full Eyo rites, firmly establishing the festival as a sacred institution of state, identity and continuity.

Eyo Festival 2025: Date, Venue and Honourees
The 2025 Eyo Festival will hold on Saturday, December 27, 2025, with activities centred at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and strictly confined to Lagos Island.
The traditional procession begins from Isale Eko/Idumota and does not extend beyond Onikan and Obalende. The Eyo does not cross into Ikoyi or beyond.

This year’s festival honours eminent Lagos personalities whose legacies continue to define the state:
Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, former Governor of Lagos State (posthumous honour)
Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, revered Lagos matriarch, former Ìyálọ́jà of Nigeria and mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State, celebrated for landmark achievements in education, housing and public service
Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, first Military Governor of Lagos State, recognised for laying foundational administrative structures for modern Lagos

The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, described the festival as
“a celebration of Lagos’ living heritage, unity and cultural continuity,”
adding:
“The Eyo Festival is not deity worship. It is a cultural symbol of order, history and the collective identity of Lagosians.”
He further emphasised its inclusiveness:
“Eyo is for Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers alike. It reflects the harmony and tolerance that define Lagos.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected as Special Guest of Honour, alongside Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, senior government officials, royal fathers, captains of industry and distinguished guests.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the festival as
“a powerful cultural and economic driver that reinforces Lagos’ position as Africa’s cultural capital.”

The Sacred Order of the Eyos
At the heart of the festival are the Eyo masquerades, dressed in flowing white robes, wide-brimmed hats (Aga Akete) and carrying the symbolic staff known as the Opambata. Beneath the robe, Eyos wear the Aropale, tied at the waist, while the face is covered with a white veil perforated to allow vision.

There are five principal Orisha Eyos, regarded as the spiritual authorities of the procession. Eyo Adimu Orisha,Oniko, Eyo Ologede, Eyo Angere,Laba.
All other Eyos must stop and pay homage to them when encountered. Failure to do so may attract sanctions and cause friction among the masquerades.

Only the Adimu Orisha, the senior-most Eyo, is forbidden from revealing his face. Eyo is strictly men’s affairs concerning wearing of Eyo attire.

Iga Houses Entitled to Have Eyos
The right to have Eyo is vested in recognised Lagos Iga (Chieftaincy) Houses, including:
Akitoye, Ashogbon, Aromire, Ajagun, Arobadade, Akogun Olofin, Apena, Ajanaku, Asesi, Aiyeomosan, Alaagba, Asajon, Awise, Bajulaiye, Bajulu, Bashua, Egbe, Etti, Faji, Kosoko, Dosunmu (Ajiwe Forisha), Kakawa, Modile, Oluwa, Onilegbale, Onikoyi, Ojora, Olokun, Onimole, Opeluwa, Obanikoro, Oloto, Olumegbon, Erelu Kuti, Erelu Odibo, Eletu Ijebu, Eletu Iwashe, Oshodi Buku, Olorogun Agbaje, Olorogun Adodo, Onisemo, Ojon, Onisiwo, Balogun Okolo, Olorogun Ide Okoro, Saba, Onilado, Olusi, Onitana, Ogunmade, Oshodi Tapa, Suenu, Sasore, Salawe, Sasi, Sogunro, Taiwo Olowo, Onitolo, Oniru, Ogungbefoba, Elemoro, Eletu Omo and Sobaloju.
(Some houses are historical custodians and may not participate every year.)

Who Can Participate
Everyone—locals and tourists alike—may join the procession, provided all rules are obeyed.
However, wearing the full Eyo regalia is reserved for men ,Lagosians and culturally integrated individuals under recognised Iga houses.

Elite ceremonial participants—such as the President, Governor and special guests—may wear the Aga and carry the Opambata, without donning the full Eyo robe.
Transport, Security and Restrictions

The Lagos State Government will deploy over 100 BRT buses, on a paid service basis, to convey participants to and from TBS.
Vehicular movement will be restricted along designated Eyo routes.
Special Eyo Police (Ilárí) and festival marshals will maintain order.
Any misconduct or rights violation will attract swift action from security agencies.

Eyo Songs and Cultural Soundscape
Eyo chants animate the streets, preserved across generations and popularised by artistes such as Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate) ,the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. Asa and Orishe Femi.
Common refrains include:
“Eyo ooooo…
Eyo Aiye ile…
Eyo ooooo…”

Do’s and Don’ts
DO
Obey all palace and Eyo instructions
Be prepared to trek long distances
Show respect when Eyos approach
Take photographs with non-Adimu Eyos only

DON’T
Wear shoes, slippers, caps or headgear
Smoke or wear shuku hairstyles
Photograph the Adimu Orisha
Block procession routes or engage in violence
Violations may attract instant discipline by Eyos, in addition to security sanctions.
Economic and Cultural Value

The Eyo Festival remains one of Nigeria’s strongest cultural economies, energising tourism, hospitality, food and drinks, fashion, caps (Aga Akete) and Opambata production.
Many participants spend between ₦200,000 and ₦400,000 on bespoke attire. The festival is a major pillar of Detty December, reinforcing Lagos’ standing as Africa’s cultural capital.

Finally

The Eyo Festival is not merely an event—it is Lagos walking, Lagos breathing, Lagos remembering itself. From honouring heroes past to energising today’s economy, it remains the living heritage and enduring spirit of Lagos.
Agógóró Eyo…
Mo yo fún ẹ,
Mo yó fún rá mi.

A BIOGRAPHY BETRAYED: THE SHAMBOLIC AGENDA OF “FROM A SOLDIER TO A STATESMAN“

The pursuit of biography is a sacred historical trust. It demands rigour, balance, and an unwavering commitment to presenting a subject in full—virtues and vices, triumphs, and failures. Dr. Charles Omole’s From a Soldier to a Statesman: The Life and Times of Muhammadu Buhari betrays this trust completely. It is not a biography but a shambolic assemblage of partisan testimony, functioning not to illuminate but to obfuscate. A close examination reveals a work so compromised in its motive, its sources, and its execution that it stands as an intellectual insult rather than a contribution to understanding one of Nigeria’s most consequential figures.

The fundamental failure of Omole’s work is its abandonment of biographical objectivity. Instead of a measured exploration, the book operates as a vehicle for political revisionism. Its apparent motive is not to document but to deify; not to analyze but to advocate. This transforms the project from history into hagiography, seeking to encase President Buhari in an impermeable myth of infallibility. Such an approach does a disservice to history, as it refuses to engage with the complex, often contentious reality of Buhari’s impact across decades of military and democratic rule. By sidestepping legitimate debates over policy, governance, and national unity, the book renders itself irrelevant to any serious discourse.

This fatal flaw is crystallized in the character and selection of the book’s contributors. While their names are real, the narrative they collectively weave is a masterpiece of selective memory. The pages are dominated by a chorus of voices with a clear stake in sustaining a particular political narrative—individuals who can accurately be described as opportunistic, relentlessly partisan, and historically unreliable. Where are the credible neutral observers? The respectful but critical analysts? Their absence is deafening. By relying almost exclusively on testimonies from within a closed circle of loyalists, Omole ensures the book is an echo chamber, not an investigation. This methodology strips the narrative of all credibility, as it is built not on a foundation of evidence but on the pre-fabricated pillars of sycophancy.

Consequently, the book is utterly worthless as a biographical or historical text. It does not befit the Muhammadu Buhari known to the Nigerian nation—a figure of stark contradictions, fierce dedication in the eyes of some, and profound controversy in the eyes of others. To reduce a legacy that has sparked deep national dialogue to a one-dimensional panegyric is an act of profound intellectual dishonesty. The work is a mess: poorly structured, analytically barren, and drowning in its own agenda. It offers no insight to supporters, no enlightenment to critics, and no value to scholars or future generations seeking to understand this era.

In the final analysis, Charles Omole’s From a Soldier to a Statesman is more than just a bad book; it is a betrayal of the biographical craft and an affront to the Nigerian public’s intelligence. It substitutes propaganda for scholarship and hagiography for history. For this deliberate act of intellectual deception, Charles Omole owes Nigerians a sincere apology. He should ask for forgiveness for the insult of presenting such a skewed and shamelessly agenda-driven work as a serious biography. Furthermore, he owes a specific apology to the family of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, for in seeking to create a plaster saint, he has robbed their patriarch of his authentic, complex humanity—the very essence any respectable biography seeks to capture. True legacy is built on truth, not fable. This book, sadly, is a monument to the latter and thus deserves to be dismissed and forgotten.

Hassan Dan Aboki

Kaduna

23 December 2025

Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd has once more reinforced its reputation as a people-focused real estate brand with the presentation of two brand-new cars to its top-performing realtors during its end-of-year celebration, held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, with the aim of rewarding excellence and dedication.

The vehicles were formally handed over by the company’s brand ambassador and Nollywood legend, Patience Ozokwor, also known as “Mama G,” who commended the dedication, consistency, and integrity displayed by the award recipients as well as the company.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ozokwor described Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd as a dependable real estate brand that offers peace of mind and genuine property ownership to investors.

She stated that the company’s amiable relationship with its staff, realtors, customers, and the media signifies integrity.

According to her, Powell Homes and Shelters Ltd is a brand that one can trust. “You can depend on them without worry. Any property you buy from Powell Homes and Shelters belongs to you. Everything is sorted out. All the stress people usually face when acquiring land is completely taken care of.”

She also stated that, as a public figure who has worked for decades promoting virtues and values for humanity, she associates only with brands that uphold trust and excellence, adding that Powell Homes and Shelters has consistently delivered value to both investors and partners.

“I don’t go to places where people are stressed. Powell Homes and Shelters has given me and everyone who has invested with them peace of mind.”

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Powell Homes and Shelters, Architect Dr. Onyekachi Emmanuel, said the company deliberately rewards excellence to motivate its realtor network and drive healthy competition.

He stated that the 2025 edition of the reward programme was particularly remarkable because the performance benchmark for winning cars was raised, yet several realtors still met the criteria within a short period.

“The essence of this event is to motivate and encourage our hardworking realtors. Beyond commissions, we also reward them with valuable gift items such as cars, refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, and others. This has been our culture for the past two years, and we do this twice a year.

“In this year’s event, what stands out is that even though we increased the stake required to win car gifts, people still qualified. If we had maintained the previous performance benchmark, we would have given out more vehicles.”

Reports also have it that the two cars presented at the event bring the total number of vehicles awarded by the company in 2025 to seven, alongside numerous other gift items including iPhones, generators, media kits, and household appliances.

Highlighting the company’s competitive edge, Dr. Onyekachi said Powell Homes and Shelters is driven by value delivery.

“For every property you buy from us, you are guaranteed value. If you compare our properties side by side with others, you will see that we offer superior quality and value,” he said.

In their various remarks, the car winners, Mrs. Njideka Chinonso and Mrs. Eze Victoria Rose, who emerged as the highest-selling realtors, expressed gratitude to the management for recognising their efforts.

They described the gesture as a major motivation, saying it had strengthened their commitment to the brand, which rewards hard work excellently.