Traditional Festival: Ikorodu Monarch Denies Banning Women’s Movement

Matilda Omonaiye/

The paramount ruler of Ikorodu in Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, has denied a statement credited to him banning females from being seen anywhere in the town today.

The restriction was reportedly imposed on female residents and visitors due to the annual traditional Magbo festival.

A notice announcing the restriction, purportedly signed by the monarch, was sighted by NewsmakersNG.

But, the monarch, during a meeting with police authorities in the state on Monday, denied authoring any such directive

The meeting was hosted by the commissioner of police, Mr. Edgal Imohimi and was also attended by the Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muslim Folami.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the first class monarch told those at the meeting that the festival had been holding long before he was born and there was no time freedom of movement of anyone was curtailed or denied.

The monarch reportedly stated: “It is unthinkable for a man of my level of exposure to do or say anything that would be seen as discriminatory against the female gender. The festival is an age long tradition of Ikorodu people, which had been holding even before I was born. The festival will hold without denying the female folks their right to free movement.”

Police authorities also confirmed the meeting with the monarch in a statement this evening.

The statement signed by the police spokesman, SP Chike Oti, read: “The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news making the rounds on the social media that the female gender are forbidden to be seen outside their homes or move around Ikorodu town with effect from tomorrow 8/05/2018 being the day set aside as ORO DAY.”

“In view of the above, the CP Lagos called for a meeting attended by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Palace Chiefs and the Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy affairs Alhaji Muslim Folami.

According to the statement, the commissioner of police said at the meeting that “the command will not tolerate any discriminatory tradition against the female gender. He also warned that the command would deal ruthlessly with anybody who hide under the guise of custom or tradition to foment trouble in the state. He therefore enjoined women to go about their lawful business without let or hindrance”.

“The meeting ended with a joint press statement assuring the people of Ikorodu that the festival would be peaceful”, the statement added.

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