kakalistiq.com reports that the Member representing Epe Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rep. Wale Raji, has commended the remarkable transformation of the iconic Epe Kayokayo Festival while calling for continued peace, unity, and community harmony.
Raji, who delivered a goodwill message during the grand finale of the 2025 edition of the festival held at the historic King Kosoko Embarkation Center, Marina Epe, reflected on the humble beginnings of the cultural celebration and applauded the progress it has made.
“As the Pioneer Secretary of Kayokayo, I knew the beginning of Kayokayo. I remember how it was when we started such that if you’re fortunate to park your vehicle within the venue of Kayokayo, you’ll only be lucky to remove your vehicle by 6 am the following morning,” he recalled with nostalgia.
He praised the current organizers under the coordination of Barrister Bayo Okulu for elevating the festival to greater heights, saying, “While I was driving in this evening, I saw that Kayokayo has been taken to another level and this is highly commendable. It has returned to its former status as a crowd puller. This year’s Kayokayo has pulled more than enough crowd and I commend you for this. I hope this would be a standard that we would never fall below.”
Rep. Raji also took a moment to remember the departed rulers of Epe, especially the late Oba Shefiu Adewale, praying for his eternal rest. In a passionate appeal, he urged residents and stakeholders to prioritize peace and unity.
“I charge us all to embrace peace and unity. United we stand, divided we fall. We will never fall; we will rise from grace to grace. I appeal to us to give peace and unity a chance. Life is transient, leadership comes and goes, and there is a day of reckoning,” he stated.
Looking ahead, he expressed hope that by the next edition of the festival, misunderstandings in the community would have been resolved, and peace restored. “May God resolve the misunderstandings on ground. By the time we are celebrating another Kayokayo next year, we will all be united and there will be peace, tranquility and harmony within the community.”
Highlighting his achievements in office, the lawmaker said he has redefined the meaning of representation in Epe Federal Constituency. “I have tried my best and you’ve seen the results of our efforts. The era of ‘there’s nothing in Abuja’ has gone and gone forever. We have made positive impacts on the lives of the people of the Epe federal constituency,” he affirmed.
According to him, each of the 19 wards in the constituency has benefitted from one developmental project or another. “A ward that does not have a school must have a primary health center. The one that does not have a primary health center, courtesy of our efforts, will have markets. Our Ayetoro market is about to be allocated. Pobo market is nearing completion. 120 shops in Mowowale Market, 80 at Pobo and 400 at Ayetoro will be allotted free of charge,” he noted.
Rep. Raji concluded by thanking his people for their continued support and assured them of his unwavering commitment. “I want to assure you that I’m not tired of representing you by the special grace of God,” he said.
