Kunle Adelabu
-Kosoko royal family visits Mallam Audu’s grave, mosque
It was an impressive display of good knowledge of the Holy Quran and knowledge of Epe history, as youths engaged in Quranic recitation and quiz competition as part of the activities lined up for the celebration of the 2023 Kayokayo Festival in Epe.
Six traditional areas of the ancient kingdom participated in the competitions, with muslim faithful, guests and residents defying the incessant rain to witness the great and memorable occasion which was held at the First Central Mosque at Oke – Balogun, Epe, on Saturday, July 29.
Members of the Kosoko royal family of Lagos, whose ancestor initiated the festival, were led to the event, by the Oloja of Lagos – elect, Prince Abiola Olojo – Kosoko.
Areas of Epe that participated in this year’s competition were: Oke-Balogun, Isale-Agoro, Popo-Oba/Oke-Oba, Oke-Iposun, Bado-Oke – Abdulquadri Muhammed and Bado-Isale
Panel of judges that coordinated the competitions were: Imam Zakariyah Sulaiman, Missioner, Ansar Ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Epe branch (the chief judge); Dr. Abdulkareen Onokoya, Department of political science, LASUED, Epe campus; Imam Monsur Kolawo (from Ibadan), and Imam Abdulsalam Ilaludeen Shuaib, from Mojoda, Epe.
In the Quran recitation competition (junior category), Popo-Oba/Lagbade emerged the winner with Bado – Oke and Bado – Isale emerging second and third respectively. In the senior category, Bado – Oke, Popo – Oba/Oke – Oba and Bado – Isale emerged in first, second and third positions respectively, in the senior category.
In quiz competition (junior category), Oke-Iposun/Lagbade emerged champion, beating Bado-Oke and Bado-Isale to second and third positions respectively, and in the senior category of the quiz, Popo-Oba/Oke-Oba emerged as the winner, while Oke Balogun and Oke-Iposun/Lagbade, came second and third respectively.
This year’s Islamic lecture was delivered by Sheikh Imam Abubakr Ojibara Bulubulu-li- Quadriyat. I
In the lecture, he enlightened guests on the importance of forgiveness, good deeds, and peaceful coexistence.
Chief Imam Epe, Imam Abdulrahman Abiola Sadala, who welcomed guests to the event, said that Kayokayo festival remained an important aspect of Epe’s culture and religion.
The Islamic cleric acknowledged the importance of the Kosoko family of Lagos, to the formation and development of the town.
“In Epe, we attach so much importance to Kayokayo. We prayed overnight on Friday till Saturday, as part of the activities marking the 2023 Kayokayo festival. Today is for the Islamic lecture and Quranic competitions”, he said.
“Tomorrow (today), there will be a special prayer for the entire community, and that is what we are going to be doing for the next two weeks.
“We have brought an Islamic scholar from the border to deliver this year’s Islamic lecture.
“The people of Epe have never regretted that Oba Kosoko brought them here. We came here with religion as our way of life and today”, he said.
The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Kamorudeen Abdulahi who was represented by Mr Daranijo, thanked God, and congratulated the people for another Kayokayo Festival.
He commended the organisers for the proper planning, and also lauded the children for their knowledge of the Quran.
Alhaji Abdulahi donated money in appreciation of the display by the participants, to encourage further interest in Quranic knowledge.
In his royal remarks, Prince Abiola Kosoko, the Oloja – elect, thanked the Epe community for the opportunity given the family to partake in the festival, while also commending them for sustaining the development of the town.
He recalled the importance of late Oba Kosoko’s journey to Epe and Lagos.
“I always say that Kosoko made good decisions leading people to Epe. The history also shows that within six months of their arrival in Epe, the town had factories and the town also turned into an administrative headquarters that was making 33, 000 pounds in a year”, Prince Kosoko said.
“Even where he came from and other places did not make as much as that. That was why they asked him to return to Lagos, with the spirit of commerce and with the promise that he would be given a house.
“He left with his traditional chiefs, warriors and people, but asked his Islamic clerics and others to stay back in Epe. He also asked two of his warriors – Ajeniya and Posun, to stay back in Epe. Today, see what they have turned Epe into.
“Epe is today an Islamic community where people are versed in Quranic understanding”, he said.
Kosoko pledged the continuous support of the Kosoko ruling family to Epe, while he also assured them of collaborative plans towards the ancient town’s development.
“We have started good things with our religion and culture in Epe, but we must institutionalise it so that our children can have better understanding of our history and sustain it, so that it will still be relevant in years to come”, he said.
“I can assure you that the Kosoko royal family has great plans for Epe. Kayokayo is just one of them. After this festival, we are coming to discuss our collaborative plans for the religion, tradition and development of the entire kingdom”, he revealed.
Among other guests at the event were: Olori Sola Kosoko, acting General Manager, Lagos Television, Alhaja Risikat Sherik, CEO of Sherik trading store, Epe, Alhaja Barakatu Ogunnorin, High Chief Tajudeen, Otun Seriki of Epe land amongst others.
The occasion also presented the Oloja – elect and members of the Kosoko family to pay visit to the grave of first Chief Imam of Epe, who pioneered Islam in the division, Mallam Muhmmed Audu, and the first mosque he established, where prayers were offered, with the descendants of Mallam Audu Audu equally in attendance.
