Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has described the iconic Eyo Festival as “the state’s royal Christmas ceremony”, emphasising that the event transcends mere cultural display.
Benson-Awoyinka spoke at the the Eyo Festival, also known as Adamu Orisha Play, held on Saturday at Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.
The commissioner said that the festival, which was last celebrated eight years ago, was long overdue for it to be celebrated again in the state.
“The Eyo Festival is our Christmas. It is our heritage celebration of over 300 years.
“I believe it was long overdue; however, the eight-year pause actually helped build anticipation. It gave our people time to yearn for it.
“So, the celebration of our heritage, our culture is something that we should hold very dearly to us,” she said.
Benson-Awoyinka hailed the Eyo Festival as “the heartbeat of Lagos’ indigenous identity”, adding she was thrilled to see massive crowds turn out for the celebration.
“The festival was a very good thing and I was impressed with the turnout of people.
“We recorded no casualties during the celebration which shows you the good spirit of the Lagos State people,” the commissioner said.
Mr Femi Odunayo, Chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, affirmed that the Eyo Festival is “the living heritage of Lagos’ indigenous people”, making its revival worth celebrating.
The chairman enjoined every Lagos indigene and reresidents to continue to work together for the betterment of the state and the country as a whole.
Wale Ojo, a Nollywood actor, praised the Eyo Festival as a breathtaking cultural treasure, urging that it must remain an unbroken part of the state’s living tradition.
Ojo hailed the festival as world-class, noting that it attracted some of his friends from Mexico.
“We need more people to come in here and really experience it,” he said.
The actor, however, urged the organisers to ensure that the festival remained peaceful and free of hoodlums that would want to use it as a means to commit crime.
The Eyo Festival is an iconic cultural celebration of Lagos State done to commemorate the passing of traditional rulers or other illustrious children of the state.
The festival features masquerades known as Eyo, which are clad in flowing white robes, with hats, and carrying staffs known as Opambata as they hold a procession through major streets on Lagos island.
The 2025 Eyo Festival was in honour of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, Tinubu’s mother and revered market leader; the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State; the late Brig.-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, the first military Administrator of Lagos; and the late Sir Michael Otedola.
The Eyo Festival began in 1854 and serves as the state’s highest traditional honour bestowed on individuals who contributed significantly to the growth and development of Lagos State.
Tradition strictly forbids wearing shoes before the Eyo and taking photos of the sacred top five— Adamu Orisha, Alakete Pupa, Oniko, Ologede, Alagere.
(NAN)
