Sagamu Monarchs hosted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Cultural and Tourism Community Development Group in Elepe of Epe Palace.

Sagamu Monarchs hosted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Cultural and Tourism Community Development Group in Elepe of Epe Palace.

 

Cultural and Tourism CDS Group picture with the Royal Highnesses

It was a historic event fortified with clamor and sensation on Thursday, 20th of April, 2017 when a group of corps member under the umbrella of cultural and tourism community development group was graciously hosted and accepted by His Royal Highness Oba Adewale O. Osiberu the Elepe of Epe Sagamu and other accompanied royal fathers from Sagamu which include H.R.H Oba (Barr.) Amisu Tijani Osokowu the Alado of Ado, H.R.H Oba Mufutau Adeoye Sanni the Aminisan of Oko and H.R.H Oba M.S Lasisi Gisanrin Odofin of Soyindo at the Royal palace of Elepe of Epe. The Community development group decided to take a day out to visit the gate keepers of the host community- Sagamu, Ogun State. The visit was laudable and historic as it was the first time a NYSC community development service group formally visited the royal fathers in the Palace according to H.R.M Elepe of Epe. The gathering was full of the royal kinsman's and dignitaries from the host community. According to the President of Cultural and Tourism CDS Group Mr. Sodiq O. Boladale the event was designed to provide a platform whereby the serving corps members can efficiently intimate and acquaint themselves with the cultures, customs, tradition, ethics and taboos of the host community. The CDS group was accompanied to the palace by Mr.  Eko Emmanuel the Sagamu Local Government Inspector who during his speech to the Royal fathers stressed the objectives of the Community development group and acknowledged the Royal fathers for honoring the visitation. He further emphasized the needs for synergy between community development group and the host community toward development.

The programme started with the uniform recitation of the NYSC anthem followed by the Ogun state anthem traditionally and was followed by the corps member greeting of the Royal fathers in the three predominant language in Nigeria (Igbo, Your a and Hausa) respectively. The H.R.H Elepe of Epe in this opening remark applauded the wisdom and courage of the CDS group for organising this worthwhile event, he reiterated that the event was historic and commendable. He stressed the need for corps member familiarity and understanding of the do's and don't of the host community. 

The Royal father also demystified the mystery surrounding the traditional 'ORO' practices (Sacrifices observed at night) in the host community, he stress that the ORO does not kill as labelled generally, he noted that the ORO culture date back to the ancient times in the Yoruba history and it was basically used to discipline culprit and other evil doers. He also stressed that no woman is meant to see the ORO at night and that is while early notice is usually given before the ORO takes off. H.R.H opined that the ORO practice is not meant to disturb the people of the community and the choice of a date for the practice is done after considering other events surrounding the environment, for instance, the ORO practice cannot scheduled during the Muslim month of Ramadan and vis-à-vis the holy days of the Christian

Group Exco’s presented gift to the Royal Highnesses

The Community development group also made the session interactive as corps members presented their questions to the four Royal father's present. The HRH Aminisan of Oko when responding to the numbers of communities that constituted the Sagamu town reacted that 13 independent communities from Sagamu. HRH Elepe of Epe further emphasized the fact that prior to 1872 there was nothing called Sagamu, what we have was different communities leaving in various areas of Remo, however, as a result of external aggression from the Ibadan and Egba people who besieged and raid the communities while taking some into slavery, this lead to a unanimous decision by the Remo communities to come together as one single community that form Sagamu town. Therefore, each of the 13 communities has its own Royal fathers.

He reiterated that blacksmithing goes hand in hand with farming,  because farm tools are produced through blacksmithing. Hence the Sagamu people are known for the two interrelated skills

HRM Alado of Ado, when responding to the type of indigenous skills and craft the Sagamu people are known for, opined that the Sagamu people are predominantly farmers and blacksmiths who cultivate cola nut in large plantations. The Hausa who constitute a large population of people in Sabo area of Sagamu initially came to trade cola nut with the natives and with time become settlers.

The event was spiced up by the corps members as they entertained the Royal fathers with comedy  and hip hop performance which put the whole gathering to laughter and melody. The CDS group also used the medium to introduce their community development project to the monarchs which was commended and approved by the Royal fathers.

The CDS gave a resounding gesture to the Royal fathers as they presented them gift which was highly appreciated by the monarch.

HRM Elepe of Epe on his closing remark appreciated the group and look forward to more cooperation towards community development.The event was put to a close with the recitation of the National anthem, NYSC anthem and the Ogun State anthem and an order of photography.

SODIQ OPEYEMI BOLADALE
09094775130
Reporting from Sagamu Local Government
NYSC Orientation Camp.