Beere Festival Brings Peace, Tranquility To Saki People – Oba Oyedepo
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by Our Correspondent
The traditional ruler of Saki town, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi Ilugbemidepo Oyedepo III, has reaffirmed his commitment to the promotion of cultural values and customs that properly portray the true identity of Saki people.
Oba Oyedepo made the statement on Wednesday, April 7, during the grand finale of the Beere Festival (New Yam Festival), he stressed that the significance of the festival is to pray for tranquility and peaceful coexistence in the community during the nine days it normally lasted.
He said; “As you can see, all the sons and daughters of Saki from far and near are rejoicing, it is like a homecoming, where they come together to celebrate the ingenuity of people of the town”
“I appeal to the youths to desist from drug abuse and other social vices.”
As part of the funfare that made the ancient town of Saki agog, colourful, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, led over fifty Yoruba Obas and other prominent Yoruba leaders to the town for the Beere festival.
While complimenting the people of Saki and its monarch, Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi Oyedepo, Oba Adeyemi, prayed for peace and tranquility in the town, adding that Saki is known for its rich cultural heritage.
Expatiating on the importance of culture, the first class traditional ruler identified a non-challant attitude to upholding core values as a causative factor of moral decadence and other societal problems in contemporary times.
He posited that, preservation of culture and traditions play an important role in ensuring that society’s unique identity is not lost, thus encouraging generation transfer.
While stressing the need for the continued preservation of the rich culture of the people, Oba Adeyemi said the cultural identity of the people should be preserved and projected to the world at all times in order for them not to lose their identity.
In his speech the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama commended the Okere for the wonderful cultural event, which he encouraged other Royal Fathers to emulate in their various kingdoms.
Earlier in his remark, Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) advised the Federal Government to summon an emergency meeting of all stakeholders to solve and put an end to the lingering security challenges in the country.
He congratulated the Saki monarch and his people on the successful celebration of the Beere Festival, emphasizing on the importance of preservation of culture, and the vital role it could play in bringing peace to communities.
Beere festival is an age long traditional festival that lasts for nine (9) days, celebrated by the Okere and the people of Saki. It brings together indigenes from home and in diaspora to receive royal blessings.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion were; Prof. Adeolu Akande, Chairman, National Communications Commission Board, Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, Justice Mohammed Owolabi, Prof Hamdallat Olaniyan, Sen. Abdulfatah Buhari.
Rep members were; Hons Jide Olatubosun, Shina Abiola-Peller and Alhaji Jimoh Bioku of Baoraj Pharmacy.
