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.
society
Dr Chris Okafor’s Prophetic Warning Precedes Gas Explosion in Agege Lagos
Dr Chris Okafor’s Prophetic Warning Precedes Gas Explosion in Agege Lagos
Barely four days after the Generational Prophet and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr Chris Okafor, warned about a possible gas explosion, an incident involving a gas explosion reportedly occurred around the Ile-Zik Junction Agege motor road, Lagos, on Monday.
According to reports, no casualty was recorded from the incident, a development many members of Grace Nation attributed to prayers offered following the prophetic warning issued during the church’s midweek Prophetic, Healing, Deliverance and Solutions (PHDS) service held at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos.
During the service, Dr Okafor had cautioned Nigerians, particularly those involved in gas-related businesses, to pray and remain vigilant after disclosing that he foresaw a gas explosion affecting a business environment and nearby properties.
Church members described the incident as evidence of the importance of early warning, prayer, and preventive action.
They maintained that intercessory prayers helped avert what could have resulted in a major tragedy.
The cleric had earlier emphasized that divine revelations are often given to enable people pray and take precautionary measures before disasters occur.
He urged business owners and residents to continue observing safety standards while seeking God’s protection.
The incident around the Ile-Zik in Agege motor road has since renewed conversations among worshippers about the role of prayer, vigilance, and public safety awareness in preventing disasters.
society
Governor Dauda Lawal Hails Troops for Successful Fight against Banditry, Terrorism across Zamfara State
Governor Dauda Lawal Hails Troops for Successful Fight against Banditry, Terrorism across Zamfara State
Governor Dauda Lawal has commended the troops of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma for achieving significant operational successes against bandits in Zamfara State. The troops of the Joint Task Force launched an elaborate and coordinated onslaught in the early hours of Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas of Zamfara State. Following the encounter, troops effectively neutralised three gang leaders and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition, which included an AK-47 rifle, a machine gun, a locally fabricated handgun, seven rifle magazines and a total of 571 rounds of ammunition.
Governor Lawal described the renewed military offensive as timely, particularly due to the successful operation recorded on May 10, 2026, which disrupted a significant gathering of notorious terrorist leaders and neutralised several commanders. The troops acted on an intelligence report that confirmed that the terrorists had converged at a concealed location in Tumfa Village, Shinkafi Local Government Area, with the intention to coordinate attacks and criminal activities targeting innocent communities in the state. The Air Component launched a precision airstrike on the identified terrorist hideout that successfully destroyed the structure, which served as the terrorists’ meeting point. The governor further reiterates Zamfara State Government’s commitment to ongoing support and logistics for the military and other security agencies operating in the state.
society
Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land
Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has rejected the alleged commercialisation of any unity schools land under the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) initiative.
The association made its displeasure known during their awareness walk to protest the concession of the 33 hectares of land belonging to Federal Government College (FGC) Kano yesterday in Lagos.
The members were carrying placards, some of which read “PPP: Save the Future”, “Protect Unity Schools”, “PPP must serve Education not land conversion” and “Schools are not for Real Estate”.
President-General of the Unity Schools Old Students Association USOSA Michael Magaji says Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) was designed to improve public institutions, and not strip them of assets or reduce their land.
Over 60 Unity schools members were drawn from across the nation for the awareness walk to protest against the alleged sale of the school lands.
The P-G said the association was advocating for a sustainable funding model that would preserve educational assets while improving infrastructure, manpower and learning conditions.
“Our coming together is to restore the lost glory of Unity Schools and strengthen Nigeria’s education system. Unity schools are nation-building institutions that have produced leaders across various sectors.
“Unity Schools were not just about education, they were about integration built not by spectators but by active citizens that believe in one nation.
“ The alumni support PPP but oppose the sale of educational assets. Unity never happens by chance but designed, nurtured and protected,’’ he added.
He added that the awareness walk brought about by the alumni across the nation was also to have a stronger network to revive the vision of the Unity Schools.
Mr Humphrey Nwafor, Lagos Chapter President, Federal Government College, Kano Old Students Association said that they are pushing back against the alleged commercialisation of Unity School lands.
Nwafor pointed out that the 33 hectares of land belonging to FGC Kano was concessioned without adequate consultation with stakeholders.
“We are saying there is a better option. Instead of selling our lands and assets, we would rather fund the schools ourselves.
“If the government says it does not have enough money to run the schools, the old students can provide support without taking one inch of the land,” he said.
According to him, the concession arrangement involving the school’s land will undermine the future of unity schools, which were established in the first place to promote national integration.
“These schools were established to unite Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and we are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that public educational assets are protected,” he added.
He called on the Federal Government to leverage alumni networks in addressing funding challenges confronting unity schools.
“We are in solution mode and impact mode and we believe alumni associations should be integrated into the process of repositioning these schools.
“We recently met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and discussions are ongoing toward finding mutually beneficial solutions,” he said.
Mr Alex Akindumila, President of FGC Idoani Alumni Association said the concession controversy was a national test of how public assets and educational institutions are being managed.
He said that they are concerned that reducing lands allocated to unity schools could limit future expansion, agricultural projects, sports facilities, technical workshops and staff accommodation.
“The lands allocated to unity schools were deliberate and visionary.“They were designed to ensure that the schools remain self-sustaining and adaptable to future needs.
According to him, when you shrink the land of a unity school, you do not just reduce space, but reduce possibility , reduce ability to run agricultural programs that can feed students and teach enterprise, even the space required for sports facilities that build discipline, health and national pride.
Also, Mrs Ifeoma Okeke, an alumna of FGC Nsukka, called for transparency, due process and stakeholder engagement in any PPP arrangement involving educational institutions.
She said PPP agreements should align with the public purpose of the schools and not diminish their long-term capacity.
“There must be transparency, competitiveness and proper stakeholder engagement in any concession process involving public educational assets,” she said.
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