Sanwo-Olu, commissioners, others receive Adamu Orisa ahead of Eyo 2025 festival
By Brown Chimezie,
As part of preparations for the 2025 Eyo Festival scheduled to hold on Saturday, 27th December 2025, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island, the Lagos State Government, on Monday, 22nd December 2025, formally received the Labá Ẹ̀kùn Eyo, popularly known as Ijádé Òpá of the Adamu Orisha Eyo, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu received the Laba Ekun Eyo, alongside the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, members of the State Executive Council, the Body of Permanent Secretaries, traditional institutions, cultural custodians, and some other distinguished guests.
The ceremony marks a significant cultural rite that heralds the commencement of activities leading to the iconic Eyo Festival, one of Lagos’ most revered and internationally recognised traditional celebrations.
While receiving the LABA EKUN Eyo, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the Eyo Festival as a living symbol of Lagos’ identity and resilience. “The Eyo Festival remains one of the most profound expressions of our collective heritage as Lagosians. It is a celebration that connects our past with our present and reaffirms the values, traditions, and history that define us as a people,” the Governor said.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to preserving Lagos’ cultural heritage and leveraging it to promote tourism and economic growth.
According to Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka, the Eyo Festival remains a powerful expression of Lagos’ identity, unity, and history, adding that the annual celebration continues to attract tourists, historians, and culture enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.
She reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to preserving and promoting indigenous cultural heritage as a vital component of social cohesion and economic development.
This year’s Eyo Festival is being staged in honour of four prominent Lagosians who made indelible contributions to the growth and development of Lagos State and the nation at large.
These personalities are: Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, former Iyaloja-General of Nigeria; Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd.), former Military Governor of Lagos State; Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State; and Sir Michael Otedola, renowned businessman and philanthropist. The festival serves as a final cultural salute, celebrating their legacies and acknowledging their enduring impact on Lagos’ history.
The Eyo Festival, often referred to as the “Adamu Orisha Play,” features the majestic procession of the Eyo masquerades, clad in flowing white attire and carrying the traditional Opá Bàtá, symbolising purity, transition, and ancestral guidance. Beyond its spiritual significance, the festival continues to serve as a major cultural and tourism asset, drawing global attention to Lagos’ rich traditions.
The Festival serves as a symbolic ancestral procession, reflecting the rich heritage, customs, and enduring traditions of the people of Lagos while also reinforcing the state’s position as a leading cultural and tourism destination.
As preparations intensify towards the grand celebration at TBS, the Lagos State Government has assured residents and visitors of adequate security, traffic management, and logistics to ensure a safe and memorable experience.
The reception concluded with traditional chants and blessings, echoing the timeless expression of goodwill and reverence: “Mo yọ fún ẹ, mo yọ fún rárá mi”.
