By Kayode Olopade
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday described the return of the Adamu Orisha Play after eight years as a powerful affirmation of Lagos’ identity, resilience and enduring cultural heritage.
Speaking at the 2025 Eyo Festival held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island, the governor said the historic celebration reflected the unbroken connection between the state and its rich past, noting that tradition remains a vital pillar of Lagos’ progress.
“After an eight-year interval, this revered tradition returns to Lagos in full splendour, standing as a powerful affirmation of our identity, our resilience, and our unbroken connection to history,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Oba of Lagos and traditional custodians for preserving the sacred rite, describing their role as central to sustaining the collective memory and pride of the people.
“Kabiyesi, on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I express our profound gratitude for this revival. Your custodianship of our heritage has ensured that this sacred rite once again unites our people,” he said.
This year’s Eyo Festival was held in honour of four eminent personalities whose lives, according to the governor, shaped the course of Lagos and Nigeria: the late Iyaloja-General of Lagos, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji; former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; former Third Republic Governor, Sir Michael Otedola; and the first Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson.
Sanwo-Olu paid special tribute to Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, describing her as a symbol of the strength and enterprise of Lagos women.
“As a market leader, activist, philanthropist and political pathfinder, she embodied courage, discipline and service,” the governor said, adding that these values were reflected in the leadership of her son, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He noted that President Tinubu’s leadership had continued to demonstrate “compassion, courage, resilience and passion for a great Nigeria.”
Explaining the deeper meaning of the Eyo tradition, Sanwo-Olu said the festival was not merely ceremonial but a solemn rite that honours worthy contributors to society.
“The Eyo tradition, which escorts great contributors to the ancestral realm, is not bound by immediacy but by worthiness. Today, we affirm that their legacies endure and their wisdom continues to guide our collective journey,” he said.
Describing Lagos as the heartbeat of Nigeria, the governor said the Eyo Festival was far more than pageantry, calling it “a living archive of our Yoruba heritage and a symbol of unity, purity and communal strength.”
He added that the festival’s return after eight years reasserted Lagos as the proud custodian of Nigeria’s living culture, where tradition is not abandoned but elevated.
Beyond its cultural importance, Sanwo-Olu said the Eyo Festival also projects Lagos onto the global stage, boosting tourism and economic activities.
“This festival strengthens tourism, stimulates economic activity, creates opportunities and invites the world to experience the spirit of Eko,” he said, welcoming visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.
As the white-clad Eyos danced through the streets in solemn grace, the governor urged Lagosians to remain committed to preserving their heritage while pursuing development under the THEMES Plus agenda.
“For us, progress is most meaningful when it is rooted in memory, culture and shared values,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, traditional rulers, former governors, political leaders and thousands of residents and tourists witnessed the historic return of the iconic festival, which transformed Lagos Island into a spectacle of colour, rhythm and ancestral pride.
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