Kayokayo 2018: Epe, Ambode’s Hometown To Host Dignitaries

Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, expected to play a big role

For about nine days, beginning from September 14, the kingdom of Epe, the home-town of the governor of Lagos would be a beehive, as the ancient town celebrates its annual cultural festival, Epe Kayokayo.

The Kayokayo is a cultural, religious and historical event indigenous to the people of Epe Kingdom.

The religion aspects of Kayokayo are to herald New Islamic Year with 1st Hijra calendar Muharram, comparable to celebrating Jan 1^st, while the cultural dimension is to commemorate the King Kosoko’s landing in Epe from Lagos 1851 with more than 1500 followers including Chiefs, according to a release by CNI and signed by its coordinator, Otunba T.J Abass,.

It said landing through water and in the night, the King Kosoko team disembarked from their war canoes with the aid of ETUFU traditional torch.

“On the other hand, the social aspect of the festival is to celebrate communal bonding by making and sharing abundant food to all, the word Kayokayo itself, meaning ‘eat ‘ to satisfaction and make merry.

FLASH BACK: When Olu of Epe of Epe Kingdom, His Royal Highness Oba  (Dr) Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, Bamgbopa Eshinlokun !, and his chiefs visited ancient palaces and houses in Epe as part of the Epe Kayokayo festival.

“The Kayokayo is also designed to provide a platform for indigenes and Non Indigenes to appreciate the cultural heritage of the kingdom with attendant prospects of hanging out with friends and relations amidst fanfare and glamour.

Major highlight of this year’s edition include children’s day, youths’ day, royal father’s day, Kayokayo carnival competition and Kayokayo empowerment raffle draw.

There would also be a royal procession to the Marina water front for A-kasara cold birth, display of Noah/King Kosoko boat, performance by award winning Nigerian and international artistes as well as a raffle draw with star prize of a car.

Already, a lot of work is ongoing in terms of logistics to ensure that the festival records huge success, especially as the organisers are hoping to explore its cultural and social benefits to drive tourism development in Epe in particular and Lagos State in general.

Below is a detailed outline of the celebrations:

EPE KAYOKAYO 2018: SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Friday 14^th September 2018

-Press Release/Briefing And Tahjud (vigil)

Venue: First Epe Central mosque, Oke Balogun

Time:               11 am.

Sunday 16^th September 2018,

-Special Prayer/Youth Football Competition Final/Children’s Day

Tuesday 18 September, 2018

-Medical Mission in collaboration with Epe General Hospital

Venue:             Olu Epe of Epe kingdom’s palace

Time                10am.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

-Royal Visit to Historical Sites

Time                10am.

Friday 21 September 2018,

Jumat Service with Royal fathers

Venue: First Epe central mosque, Okebalogun.

Reception at Epe Jubilee Chalet.

Time:               1pm.

Saturday, 22^nd of September (D-Day)

– Time              12  Noon

Kayokayo carnival competition

-Kayokayo Empowerment Raffle Draw

-Royal procession to the Marina water front for Al-Kaosara Bath (cold bath)

-Display of Noah boat/King Kosoko boat

-Reception with top artistes and DJs