society
Osaara Festival 2018
Just like every other festival, Osaara would come and go as each year passes by. “But it is imperative for the sake of posterity that diligent records in black and white are kept henceforth for history to prevail. Everyone needs to know what each festivals symbolises in order to pass it to generations unborn. This will help them to have a sense of history and they also can continue to propagate our culture.” Those were the exact words of the god-man holding forth for the progenitor of the Oduduwa race, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Ooni of Ile-Ife Oduduwa. As a reaction to the words of ‘Oni le Ife- the owner of the land of Ife,’ I took it upon myself to do expository writing of my findings from His Imperial Majesty, my king, the Arole Oodua. Some of my previous writings include discoveries from Olojo, Osoosi and Olokun festivals.
Our focus here shall be on the Osara festival which begins the annual Orisa calendar in Ile-Ife. The celebration often takes a course of 5 days before it is finalised. In time passed, 2 days were often set aside for the people of Ile-Ife to visit the neighbouring community of Okeigbo and Ifetedo to get male palm fond to be used as costumes. The Osara festival is usually celebrated shortly after the Olokun festival in Ile-Ife. The peak of the celebration which is usually at commencement is characterised by thunder spells and rainfall which is often invoked by the Oonirisa after the appeasement to the god and prayers to Olodumare using pigeon and water as part of the offering.
The miracle of immediate thunder spell and heavy downpour has been the order of the day since the reactivation of this energies since 2016 which marks the first Osaara festival celebrated by Ooni Ogunwusi since his ascension to the throne. The 5th of May 2018 was the peak of this year’s celebration. This informs us why the rainy days are here…… Physical evidence in form of pictures shall be attached to this writing.
Need I remind you that, Ile-Ife has a calendar of three hundred and sixty-five less a day in respect to its festivals and worship of deities; deities are messengers of God. It is therefore worthy of note that, “Ife Oodaye kan! Ife Ooyelagbo kan! Ile-Ife Oduduwa kan! – Ojo kan;Oosa kan ni Ile-Ife.” These exclamatory statements imply that, ‘there existed 3 dynasties in the Yoruba kingdom; the first dynasty being the Ife Oodaye, the second was Ife Ooyelagbo and the third which still exists to date is Ile-Ife Oduduwa,’ while Oduduwa was the first king, the incumbent Oonirisa remains the 51st king of Oduduwa kingdom. (I shall save us the stories of the 1st and 2nddynasties until such time that it is required).
Osaara which means Lagoon became the second wife of Oduduwa after the first wife, Olokun (Ocean) could not conceive. According to Fabunmi in the book Ife Shrines, the genealogy of the Ile-Ife clan exhibit a similar, but less radical, from the diversion biblical descent pattern. The most revered monarch, Ooni Ogunwusi also reverted to the bible while explaining the existence of Osaara as one of the five water-body referred to in the book of Genesis 2:10-14. He stated that the other water body include; Olokun which is the source of the four other water-body: Osun, Osaara, Esinmirin and Yeyemolu. Note also that these five became deities and are part of the two hundred and one deities of Ile-Ife.
Osaara became the choicest wife of Oduduwa after she gave birth to their only son, Akanbi. Akanbi would later give birth to the seven children of Oduduwa. The first wife, Olokun felt undermined by the development considering the fact that she advised her husband to marry Osaara, her best friend for the reason of procreation. Therefore, the superiority battle began. It was quite bad that Oduduwa arranged a meeting in which he invited the chiefs-in-council to mediate between the wives. In a typical women display, both wives decided to show-off their substance at the meeting. Olokun who was extremely beautiful and wealthy (she made and traded in beads) adored herself in beautiful and shinning aso-oke and beads. She also decorated the meeting venue with lovely ornaments and also made mouth-watering dishes for the people; the people in consonance with Olokun came up with the idea of “Olobe lo l’oko” meaning ‘a good cook is the husband’s favourite.’
Osaara heard the news of Olokun’s display of beauty and fame. She also decided to showcase her most prized possession, her children as a clap-back. She adored her children in fine attire accompanied with palm fond (agbon seed) on their arms and feet as they danced to the meeting place chanting “Olomo lo l’aye o, Osaara mo gbomo de o” meaning, ‘a fruitful wife rules the world, here comes Osaara with her children.’ This song had since become an anthem during the Osaara festivals.
This unhealthy rivalry would mark the beginning of the end to these adorable queens of the Oduduwa kingdom. Osaara became the spectacle as she was joined by the crowd from Lakoro’s compound near the Ife market. At the junction of Oriyangi near the palace she chanted “agbon ro” and her followers’ responded “ro” meaning the palm fond has descended and they continued chanting the Osaara anthem and also making musical sounds with the agbon. The Osaara- agbon followers still chant through the shrine to the Ooni’s palace during the Osaara festival to date.
The group marvelled the king and all the audience so much that they were accorded a standing ovation. Osaara was such a good dancer! However, the children and the entire followers of Osaara danced so much that they shattered the ornaments displayed by Olokun. This got Olokun angry so much that she swore, never again to have any dealings with Osaara. On the contrary, Osaara promised never to desert Olokun. Lest I forget, in contrast to all the mouth-watering dishes made by Olokun, Osaara could only afford to offer her followers with bean cake; reason why ‘Ekuru’ is a must at every Osaara festival.
It became a pity-party as Olokun distributed all her material goods and substances to the children of Osaara before she embarked on this journey of no return. Lots of Aso-Oke and beads were handed to the children of Osaara. This explains why worshippers of Osaara usually have Aso-Oke tied around their waist and beads on their necks. On the other hand, Osaara was not ready to back-down on the promise to always be with her good friend turned rival-wife. Hence, Osaara followed Olokun as she left Ile-Ife in annoyance. Olokun went through Ilesha; her pond bake/sign of passage can be spotted in the palace of Owa Aromolaran of Ilesha to date. She thereafter passed through Abeokuta and some neighbouring community and at last to the final destination, Lagos and still in company of Osaara.
Alas, Olokun hit the ground; she fell and became the Okun, the Ocean. In like manner, in a bid to keep her vow, Osaara also hit the ground and turned to the Lagoon. Mysteriously, both Okun and Osa remains neighbours but not a friendly one afterwards, as there is a visible demarcation between both water-body to date.
The goddess of Osaara is the mother of the Yoruba tribe, she represents fruitfulness and her love for children and husband cannot be over-emphasised. She is also referred as the deity of the swamp. Osaara is celebrated in the month of May at the Osaara shrine in Moore, Ile-Ife.
Gbemisola Bisi-Taiwo
PhD Candidate, Maynooth University Department of Law.
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season.
In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity.
According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development.
“Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness. As our Muslim customers and partners begin the fast, we pray that their sacrifices are accepted and that the season brings peace, joy, and renewed hope to their homes and the nation at large,” the statement read.
The firm reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable and accessible housing solutions to Nigerians, noting that building homes goes beyond structures to creating environments where families can thrive.
Adron Homes further urged citizens to use the period to pray for national unity, economic stability, and sustainable growth.
It wished all Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak.
society
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Fiscal Rigidity in a Time of Crisis: Lawmakers Say Fixed Budget Ceilings Are Crippling Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency, Banditry, and Organized Crime.”
Nigeria’s legislature has issued a stark warning: the envelope budgeting system; a fiscal model that caps spending for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is inadequate to meet the country’s escalating security challenges. Lawmakers and budget analysts argue that rigid fiscal ceilings are undermining the nation’s ability to confront insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime insecurity.
The warning emerged during the 2026 budget defence session for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC‑Kebbi North), chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, decried the envelope system, noting that security agencies “have been subject to the vagaries of the envelope system rather than to genuine needs and requirements.” The committee highlighted non-release or partial release of capital funds from previous budgets, which has hindered procurement, intelligence and operational capacity.
Nigeria faces a multi‑front security crisis: persistent insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnappings across the North‑West and North‑Central, separatist tensions in the South‑East, and piracy affecting Niger Delta oil production. Despite declarations of a national security emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lawmakers point to a “disconnect” between rhetoric and the actual fiscal support for agencies tasked with enforcement.
Experts warn that security operations demand flexibility and rapid resource allocation. Dr. Amina Bello, a public finance specialist, said: “A static budget in a dynamic threat environment is like sending firefighters with water jugs to a forest fire. You need flexibility, not fixed ceilings, to adapt to unforeseen developments.”
The Permanent Secretary of Special Services at ONSA, Mohammed Sanusi, detailed operational consequences: irregular overhead releases, unfulfilled capital appropriations, and constrained foreign service funds. These fiscal constraints have weakened intelligence and covert units, hampering surveillance, cyber‑security, counter‑terrorism and intelligence sharing.
Delayed capital releases have stalled critical projects, including infrastructure upgrades and surveillance systems. Professor Kolawole Adeyemi, a governance expert, emphasized that “budgeting for security must allow for rapid reallocation in response to threats that move faster than political cycles. Envelope budgeting lacks this essential flexibility.”
While the National Assembly advocates fiscal discipline, lawmakers stress that security funding requires strategic responsiveness. Speaker Abbas Ibrahim underscored that security deserves “prominent and sustained attention” in the 2026 budget, balancing oversight with operational needs.
In response, the Senate committee plans to pursue reforms, including collaboration with the executive to restructure funding, explore supplementary budgets and ensure predictable and sufficient resources for security agencies. Experts warn that without reform, criminal networks will exploit these gaps, eroding public trust.
As one policy analyst summarized: “A nation declares a security emergency; but if its budget does not follow with real resources and oversight, the emergency remains rhetorical.” Nigeria’s debate over envelope budgeting is more than an accounting dispute; it is a contest over the nation’s security priorities and its commitment to safeguarding citizens.
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.
Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.
From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.
A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.
Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.
As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.
Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)
May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.
May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.
May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.
May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.
May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.
Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).
More years.
More anointing.
More impact.
If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.
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