The Oyo State government has again gave assurance that it would not deny any religion adherent their right to worship or celebrate according to the dictate of their religion.
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde stated this while hosting the popular Oloolu masquerade and his followers who paid him a homage at the government house arcade, Agodi, Ibadan yesterday.
The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige said while the government of Engr Seyi Makinde allows all religion sect freedom to worship, they should not abuse the opportunity to cause unrest, disunity and violence in any form whatsoever.
Makinde said that since his administration came on board over three years ago, there has been relative peace in and around the State which must be sustained by all lovers of peace.
While addresing the Oloolu and his entourage during the visit, Governor Makinde urged them to be peaceful and orderly and cautioned the masquerade’s teeming followers never to breach the peace in the State by using the opportunity to unleash terror on their perceived enemies or loot innocent people’s property.
He urged them to use the period of this annual rite to pray fervently for the peace and tranquillity in Ibadan city, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Earlier in his remark, the leader of the Oloolu masquerade, Chief Oguntade said the homage paid to the Governor was part of the activities lined up to celebrate the annual Olu festival and to offer blessing to the State government and its leaders.
The Oloolu masquerade is an annual festival celebration in Ibadan metropolis which forbids seeing women throughout the period of its parade and celebration.
