Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has postponed the Oke’badan and Eledumare festivals indefinitely to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease.
The monarch, who is also the chief promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), announced this in a statement on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi.
The two festivals were earlier scheduled to hold between March 25 and March 31 respectively.
Adams explained that the postponement was made in line with the directives of the Federal Government and state governments in the South-West that all social gatherings be suspended.
He said: “As the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland and Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation, (OFF), I wish to state categorically that the Oke’badan and Eledumare festivals have been postponed.
“The decision was made in line with the directives of the Federal Government and state governments that all social gatherings be suspended.
“The report of the spread of the deadly disease is growing by the day. For instance, Lagos has discovered new cases; Oyo State has also recorded a case of the coronavirus pandemic
“We are one of the voices advocating for good health care services in the country. The news is scary and nobody is safe with the rate COVID-19 spreads like wildfire.’’
The Aare Ona Kakanfo restated the need for caution, saying the decision became imperative as there was need to reduce the spread of the deadly disease.
He urged his members, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora not to panic, saying the COVID-19 pandemic would soon be a thing of the past.
“We must not panic because it is in a time like this that we need to show character and strength in ensuring that we keep our heads above the waters as soon as possible,” he said.
