Leaders in every strata of the society have been charged to exhibit fear of God and be considerate in their dealings with fellow human beings in order to achieve a peaceful and ideal society.
The Olokaka of Okaka land, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdul Azeez Olatunji Ayoola Ogelende the fourth gave the charge at the annual Egungun festival in the ancient town.
The event was held at oja sango the ancient market square,which is the historical spot designated by their ancestors.
The festival, which featured a display of remarkable artistry dancing steps by many masquerades, was witnessed by a large gathering of Okaka indigenes from home and abroad.
Oba Ayoola, while speaking on the rationale behind the egungun festival and the sudden climatic change after sacrificial goat was beheaded, said the foundation of every society is essential.
He stressed that foundation is very fundamental in determining the interaction between the ancestors and those who are still living, therefore it is important for everyone to align with their tradition and custom.
Oba Ayoola noted that with the precarious situation of things in the country, leaders at various levels should see their positions as temporal and as such, should work the talk with fairness, equity and justice.
The monarch also used the occasion to stress the need to establish a constitutional role for traditional rulers in order to contribute to nation building.
According to him, traditional rulers are essential components for nation building who should be assigned with meaningful leadership tasks.
Olokaka of Okaka used the occasion to appeal to youths planning to organize protest to be peaceful and civil in their agitation.
Oba Ayoola Olatunji also admonished the government at all levels to see the implementation of local government autonomy in order to develop the grassroot.
In their separate remarks, Ooto of Okakaland Chief Salaudeen Ayanwale,Ikolaba of okakaland Chief Dauda Ademola,Olukotun of Okakaland Chief Moshood Bello,Olowu of okakaland Alhaji Chief Rashidi Olowu and Maye of Okakaland Alhaji Chief Ibrahim Odubiyi took turn to explain the significance of egungun festival in yoruba land and used the occasion to appeal to Okaka indigenes home and abroad to partake in the tradition of their ancestors.
In their goodwill messages, the Obaasegun of Itesiwaju Local Government Alhaji Sulaimon Olalere from Otu,Ifagboyega Oyedokun Omoodo agba from Ofiki,Malik Odeyemi Alagba of okakaland and the Oluwo of Okaka Ayanyemi Olawale rejoiced with the people of okakaland on the auspicious occasion and urged indigenes of the ancient town to be peaceful anywhere they find themselves.
The 2024 Okaka Egungun festival featured Erigan of Ojete compound, Janduku, Ajise, Epe, Ahuda, Alapa efe, Dangboro, Alapala Eyenfoodo, Epele, Ilokoja, Obadimeji and Kanimogba among others.