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Egugun, The Drummer; and The Compere | By Femi Ladapo
Egungun 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
Member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, on Sunday formally declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Oseni made the declaration at the Ibadan Recreation Centre, Sabo, Ibadan, during a meeting attended by party leaders, stakeholders, supporters and members of his political structure, the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends.
The lawmaker said his decision followed wide consultations across the senatorial district, adding that he was convinced of securing the party’s ticket and winning the general election.
He said, “Having served diligently as your representative, I stand before you today ready to serve more. My ambition is not a departure from service, but a continuation of it.”
Oseni stated that his political journey had always been anchored on sacrifice, purpose and responsibility, stressing that leadership should be measured by service rather than position.
Highlighting his stewardship in the House of Representatives, Oseni said he had facilitated roads, schools, hospitals, bridges and streetlights across communities in his constituency.
He added that he had also supported education through sponsorship of students for WAEC and JAMB examinations, scholarships and payment of school fees for indigent students.
According to him, his empowerment programmes had benefited traders, artisans and market women, while over 30 youths had been transformed into millionaires through various intervention schemes.
Oseni, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency, said he had sponsored motions on improved road maintenance funding and advocated free treatment for cancer and kidney patients among others.
He also disclosed that he had pushed for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Ido, describing healthcare access as a major priority of his public service agenda.
Speaking on his plans for Oyo South, Oseni said he would prioritise quality representation, education, healthcare, youth development, job creation and attraction of federal projects to the district.
He said, “My concept of empowerment goes beyond the distribution of tricycles, motorcycles and generators. True empowerment must build capacity, encourage innovation and create sustainable wealth.”
Reaffirming loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, Oseni declared that the President’s re-election in 2027 remained his ultimate political project, adding that his supporters were already mobilising across Oyo State for the APC.
He appealed for unity within the party, urging members to place collective interest above personal ambition in order to reclaim power in Oyo State and secure victory for all APC candidates in the next general elections.
Also present at the event was the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, who urged party members and stakeholders to support Oseni, describing him as a committed party man with strong grassroots appeal.
Alli said, “Oseni has shown capacity and dedication in his current role. I encourage party faithful and the people of Oyo South to support him as he seeks to serve at a higher level.”
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, will on Sunday, April 26, formally declare his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, is expected to unveil his senatorial bid at the Recreation Club, Ibadan, by 10 a.m.
A statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, said all arrangements have been concluded for the declaration, which will formally signal the lawmaker’s entry into the Oyo South senatorial race ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement added that the event is expected to attract political leaders, including party chieftains, state and senatorial executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stakeholders, supporters, and members of the public across the senatorial district.
It further noted that adequate security and traffic management arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth and orderly event.
Oseni, who currently chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), is positioning for a broader legislative role in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
The statement described the development as a significant moment in Oyo State’s political landscape.
Politics
2027: Oyo Reps Hopeful, Socrates Rallies APC Unity to Reclaim Power, Drums Support for Tinubu
A House of Representatives aspirant for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Monsuru Akintunde Adeyemo, on Friday urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that disunity could undermine the party’s chances of returning to power.
Adeyemo, popularly known as Socrates, made the call in a statement, where he also drummed support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Vice Chairman of Aare Latosa Local Council Development Area stressed that cohesion among party leaders and stakeholders remained critical to building a formidable opposition in the state.
He commended party chieftains, including Moses Alake-Adeyemo, for their roles in repositioning the party for future electoral success.
“The task before us requires unwavering commitment and unity of purpose. A divided house cannot stand. If we are determined to reclaim Oyo State in 2027, we must close ranks and work together,” he said.
Adeyemo also criticised the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, alleging that residents were experiencing the effects of what he described as governance failures.
“With the current realities in Oyo State, it is evident that the only credible alternative in 2027 is the APC. I commend our leaders for rebuilding the party and urge members to remain steadfast, as victory lies in our collective resolve,” he added.
The aspirant further described Tinubu’s leadership as pivotal to Nigeria’s recovery and long-term development, urging Nigerians to sustain their support for the President.
Adeyemo, who is also the Oyo State Coordinator of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, called on party loyalists to intensify grassroots mobilisation, deepen engagement across communities, and work collectively towards ensuring victory for the APC in Oyo State in 2027.
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