By Emmanuel Onwusoro
The importance of culture in the society was again demonstrated by the people of Kota-Ekiti, in Ekiti East local government area of Ekiti State, as they celebrated the 2023 new yam festival.
The annual event, hosted at the palace of the Elekota of Kota, Oba Emmanuel Ojo Fagbemi drew the sons and daughters of the community as well as guests from far and wide. The serene town came alive as His Royal Majesty, Oba Fagbemi, members of Elekota-in-Council, the subjects and others took to some of the streets to herald the festival.
It was a showcase of different attire sewn in various styles apparently reflecting the mood of the people and the spirit of the season. According to some of them, it was a new dawn as the celebration marked another beginning worthy of praises to the Most High for the sustenance of their lives.
Officials of security outfits such as the police, civil defence and amotekun monitored the movements to ensure a hitch-free outing. This also slowed down the speeding habit of motorists especially the Abuja-bound luxury buses and other categories of vehicles whose drivers find it more convenient to ply the route.
In an interview, Oba Fagbemi urged communities to always Propagate culture, describing it an identity of a race, a community and a person. He said it differentiates communities and individuals from one another. Hence, “people should continue to propagate their culture because it’s very rich”.
“The event is a mark of new yam in Yoruba tradition. We normally celebrate new yam, it’s important because new yam offers good tidings and development. It’s a period for the people to come together from far and near to witness what’s happening”.
Oba Fagbemi believed that this year’s event was equally successful like previous ones as no ugly incident was recorded. “It has always been a very free atmosphere. I can say so many people came this year than last year. This is informed by their commitment to the event”.
He advised his subjects to live harmoniously with one another within the community and neighbouring communities.
On the government of the day in the State, the monarch commended governor Biodun Oyebanji for his effort, stressing that the governor has been doing wonderfully well. Adding that it’s just for him to keep it up. “He should continue in this particular pace. The sky is his limit.”
