As this year’s edition of the annual Kayokayo Festival officially begins in Epe Kingdom, kakalistiq.com reports that organizers have announced that the week-long celebration will be held in honour of the immediate past Olu-Epe, HRM Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, who passed away recently.
Despite the absence of a reigning monarch, the festival will go on with renewed vigour, cultural richness, and new additions aimed at preserving the kingdom’s history while also promoting communal unity, Islamic values, and local enterprise.
This was revealed at a press conference held on Friday, July 18, at the First Epe Central Mosque, Oke-Balogun, where the Chairman of the Kayokayo Advisory Board, Alhaji Alade-Soliu Okulu, addressed journalists on the significance of the celebration.
According to Alhaji Okulu who led the gathering in a minute silence in honor of the late revered monarch, this year’s festival is uniquely designed to reflect the cultural essence of Epe, tracing back to the historic 1851 night voyage of King Kosoko to Epe, symbolized by the “Etufu” – a flaming torch used to light his path. He emphasized that the festival is a blend of history, religion, and social impact, showcasing Epe’s hospitality and cultural depth.
“Islam is at the core of this festival,” he noted, “but beyond that, Kayokayo is about feeding the people to satisfaction and bringing the community together in peace and joy. This year, we’ve introduced a new concept called Street Feeding, which will take place on Thursday at the Epe Ogunmodede Club. People will enjoy quality meals distributed across various streets to ensure everyone feels the impact.”
Touching on public safety, the retired Customs Comptroller assured residents and visitors that the town remains peaceful and secure. “There has been no security threat, and all necessary measures are already in place to ensure lives and properties are protected before, during, and after the festivities,” he said.
Barr. Bayo Okulu, the Festival Coordinator, also confirmed that this year’s edition has received commendable backing from the Lagos State Government, as well as support from private sponsors and individuals. He hinted at plans to start preparations earlier for future editions to attract more corporate sponsorship.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Grand Chief Imam of Epe Division, Fadeelat Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Abiola Sadallah, encouraged the committee to enhance the Islamic component of the celebration. He proposed expanding the annual Qur’anic Competition to accommodate participants from across Nigeria.
“Other places may host Kayokayo, but what we have here in Epe is the most elaborate,” the revered cleric said. “We should begin inviting people from other states for the Qur’anic recitation to further strengthen the religious value of the event and grow its reach. Since the festival is rooted in Islam, a larger share of the funds raised should be channeled towards its religious components.”
As the 2025 Kayokayo Festival kicks off, the spirit of Epe’s cultural pride, unity, and religious identity remains vibrant, even in the absence of a crowned monarch. The festival continues to stand as a symbol of resilience, heritage, and harmony in the heart of Lagos State.
