NewStats: 3,265,243 , 8,186,115 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 04:29 AM l4nd

Some residents of Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos State, have appealed to the state government to restrict the Oro festival to nighttime hours, citing disruptions to free movement and commercial activities during the day.

The residents voiced their concerns in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday, lamenting that the cultural practice infringes on the rights of citizens—particularly women—and negatively affects economic livelihoods.

The Oro festival is a traditional Yoruba celebration observed only by male descendants who are native to the town. During the festival, tradition forbids women and non-natives from being outdoors or witnessing the Oro, with death cited as the penalty for any violation.

Mrs. Bukunmi Taiwo, a septuagenarian who has lived in Ikorodu for over 40 years, called for dialogue and community engagement to ensure that cultural observances benefit all residents without creating undue hardship.

“The world is changing, and our beliefs and practices must adjust accordingly for social harmony,” she said.

“Many families rely on daily earnings from petty trade. The imposition of curfews during Oro festivals places a heavy burden on already struggling households. I appeal to the Oro adherents to restrict their activities to midnight so residents can move freely and go about their livelihoods.”


Obinna Nweze, a trader at Ladega Market, expressed frustration over the frequent closure of markets in the town.

“This year alone, the market has been shut more than five times—twice for the Oro festival, others for the Kabiyesi celebration, the Iya Oloja program, or mourning someone’s death.

“You dare not open your shop because miscreants may harass or loot it. It’s emotionally and economically draining. We are just trying to survive.”

Legal practitioner Mr. Mustafa Mohammed emphasised the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution, urging government action.

“Every citizen is entitled to fundamental rights, including freedom of movement. It is unacceptable that women and girls still face restrictions due to cultural practices. The government must intervene to ensure that no tradition overrides the rights and freedoms guaranteed by law.”

Mrs. Cecilia Oluwadarasinmi, a gender advocate, also voiced concern, noting that over 85% of women in Nigeria are active in the informal economy.

Although today coincides with June 12, a public holiday, the core issue is the curfew imposed by the Oro festival.


Just last month, the Magbo Oro festival fell on Children’s Day, denying many children—especially girls—the chance to celebrate.

While cultural preservation is important, it must not come at the expense of public welfare or gender equality.”

She stressed the importance of inclusive cultural practices to foster cohesion, economic empowerment, and sustainable development while reducing gender-based discrimination.

NAN reports that the Oro festival is held twice annually in Ikorodu Town—typically in May and June—with neighbouring communities like Igbogbo, Imota, and Agbowa holding theirs in separate months.

Despite its controversial nature, the Oro festival remains a significant tradition in Yoruba culture. Its adherents say it serves as a spiritual exercise to maintain peace, bring blessings, and cleanse the community of evil.

NAN


https://punchng.com/restrict-oro-festival-to-night-ikorodu-residents-plead/

The Oro will come out during the day and any oluwo that come out will be used as

There is no point pleading with indigenes that don't want change. Let them continue. The world will eventually leave us where we want to be. We cannot be forced to modernise our practices.

It's only common sense that festivals like that should be held at night

This diabolical and demonic practice should be abolish.

It’s better in the day so you don’t accuse them of killing you at night. What happens to the people stuck in locations outside their house, if it’s done at night?

A once revered traditional Oro festival has been turned to a political tool.

Politicians keep destroying our traditional and religious practices.

People with their beliefs, the thing don tired me self

Isese lagba! But I concur with the woman submission. The festival was evidently practiced during the odd time of the night in the past, things is now evolving with our heterogenous beliefs.


May God bless Nigerians

So it's no longer during February-march period?

Their own version of sit at home.

lonelydora:
A once revered traditional Oro festival has been turned to a political tool.

Politicians keep destroying our traditional and religious practices.

Political tool in what way? Is there an election today?

Which state are you from?

Awala ni ilu oooo a shey oro a shey agemo!
Adajo odun ti ko re imale ko gbono medina
Adajo odun ti ko ba re christiani ko gbobo Jerusalem

Awala ni ilu oooo a shey oro a shey agemo!!!

treesun:


NAN


https://punchng.com/restrict-oro-festival-to-night-ikorodu-residents-plead/

na cross them still draw for hand. Let the give Jesus all the praise 👏

And the oro worshippers even wore wristwatch
Wetin oro no go see for ikorodu

I bet if not for colonisation and the whiteman denouncing such practices,sacrificing someone when an oba dies,would still have been an acceptable practice in the Southwest

The festival should be canceled or make dem no disturb anyone with their activities. Everyone go about their business peacefully

Dey play, they will do it in the daytime, if you are not convenient with it go back to Jerusalem or Mecca.
Sit at home in the East every Monday, schools are been closed during Ramadan and every Friday in the North. So naa my one day festival now be una problem, u beta die!

Barbaric South West culture .... Restrict it to the night. How do u put people on hold?

ideatoprince18:
Barbaric South West culture .... Restrict it to the night. How do u put people on hold?

but you people can seat at home every Monday of the week? So unbarbaric of you guys.

WhoIBe:
The festival should be canceled or make dem no disturb anyone with their activities. Everyone go about their business peacefully

clap for yourself, but on Monday you can't even go out to fetch water in Anambra?

seborrhic:
I bet if not for colonisation and the whiteman denouncing such practices,sacrificing someone when an oba dies,would still have been an acceptable practice in the Southwest

like Nnamdi kanu and the content creator from Finland dey sacrifice you guys every Monday?

Their tradition and culture in Lagos. I can't fault or question them.

Ayobami7:
Awala ni ilu oooo a shey oro a shey agemo!
Adajo odun ti ko re imale ko gbono medina
Adajo odun ti ko ba re christiani ko gbobo Jerusalem

Awala ni ilu oooo a shey oro a shey agemo!!!

so funwon Kan gbø, Awon ōmō ale gbøgbo. Aaseyi atunsemi si, asese tun se.

seborrhic:
I bet if not for colonisation and the whiteman denouncing such practices,sacrificing someone when an oba dies,would still have been an acceptable practice in the Southwest

They had stopped that in the SW before the arrival of the whites. It was still practiced in Benin though and that was the justification of the British for the invasion.

The Benin would often send isoko and urhobo people to go to igboland to capture slaces for sacrifices. Source: "Benin, the city of blood by Reginald Overend"

In addition, the igbos were famous for cannibalism and killing of twins practices. Reference: "GT Basden (Among the igbos of Nigeria)" and "The peoples of Southern Nigeria: a sketch of their history, ethnology and languages with an abstract of the 1921 census
by Percy Amaury Talbot"


The colonial help eradicate killing of twins due to Christianity. The other practice of eating people is still frequently reported in news all around the SE.

This is a shame in a modern Nigeria, why will one religion be infringing on the right of others.

What exactly is the benefit of this sh1t in 21st century modern society

Why must your personal religious activities impose restrictions on others?... Women mustn't see your oro, masquerades are dreadful and threatening... What a barbarism!...

The constitution of Nigeria guarantees the freedom of religion as well as freedom of movement.

The organizers of Oro festival must obey the constitution.

Therefore ,Let them organize their oro when people are supposed to be sleeping and not moving.