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Egugun, The Drummer; and The Compere | By Femi Ladapo
Published
5 years agoon
By
Femi LadapoEgungun is the Yoruba masquerade or masked, costumed figure connected with ancestor reverence.They represent the spirits of ancestors who have long gone. Hence they are referred to as “Ara Orun”, those who dwell in the heavens. These Ara Orun are believed to be in constant watch over their descendants on Earth.
Egungun are seen at appointed periods called “Odun Egungun” (Egungun Festivals) and on special occassions for special purposes. In calamitous situations the Egungun may be invoked to appease the gods for reprieve.
The Egungun festival depicts the holistic nature of the totality of visual arts, crafts, and the performing arts as well as an embodiment of the philosophy of the people in their communal essence.
There are different types of Egungun; Eegun Alare, Eegun Ogun and Eegun Agbo-ile.
Eegun Alare is meant for entertainment. They thrill their audiences with colour, dance and acrobatics. The Eegun Ogun has great powers and are used during wars, while the Eegun Agbo-ile belongs to a compound. It is maintaned by the family or families who own it.
They all elicit fear and admiration.
The Egungun ensemble is accompanied by one or more drummers and a compere who directs the movement of masked one. The drummers and the compere sing praises of the progenitors of the masquerade. Their renditions egg the masquerade on to keep trying to exceed the records and feats of his predecessors.
The drum keeps up the frenzy saying “Oo le se bii baba re”, meaning “You have not even matched the feats of your forebears”.
This at times pushes the man in the mask to go beyond limits and outdo himself. He assumes such a level of invincibility that he soon gets into trouble.
But as soon as there is trouble, the first person to disappear is the Drummer. The compere or conductor tarries a bit with the masquerade but when things go really awry he vamooses too.
The masked one is left to face the music on his own. His survival now depends on how much power and tact he actually has and not what the praise singers sang to his ears.
Its not Odun Eegun yet. So my real concern is not the Ara Orun. I am thinking of the Ara Aye who is in the same shoes as the Ara Orun.
The man or woman in position of authority is surrounded by people akin to the drummer and the compere. They praise him to high heavens such that, like the Egungun, he gets carried away and whip the wrong person, destroy things that should have been left sacred and do unnecessary and overreaching dangerous stunts.
The C.E.O., the Oga at the top, Your Excellencies, employer, community leader, religious leader and; anybody in position of power and authority
Listen not to the drummers and praise singers, because when the chips are down you will be on your own. Use your head and your own ears.
When they sing “Oo le se bii Baba re” , pause and ponder. Egungun be careful!
Femi Ladapo writes from Ibadan, Oyo state
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Politics
Ex-Oyo deputy governor Adeyemo sworn in as APC chair, rallies support for Tinubu
Published
19 hours agoon
March 6, 2026By
adminA former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
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Kano Assembly Moves to Impeach Deputy Governor Gwarzo Over ₦1.6bn Alleged Fraud
Published
2 days agoon
March 5, 2026By
adminThe Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
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Politics
2027: Sen. Dickson Dumps PDP, Joins Newly Registered NDC
Published
2 days agoon
March 5, 2026By
adminThe Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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