Ebola: Why Osun Festival Celebration Will Be Low Key-Commissioner

Staff August 18, 2014

THE celebration of this year’s edition of the annual Osun Osogbo festival would be low key as the state government has said it will not allow tourists from outside the State to participate in the event.
The reason for the low key celebration is based on prevention of the spread  of Ebola virus disease in the state.
Speaking at a press conference, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere,  said the measure was necessary and in the interest of the people of the state.
The commissioner called for the understanding of the people, particularly Osun worshipers and devotees as well as the traditionalists, saying their cooperation is a sacrifice they must pay for the well being of the residents of the State.
However, he said in spite of the low key nature of this year’s Osun Festival, all traditional rites and sacrifices by the Osun devotees in Osogbo would be observed.
He explained that the state government has restricted movements of non-residents of Osun, saying this would help to prevent the spread of the disease to the State.
Akere informed that only traditional worshippers and well wishers who are resident in the State will be allowed to partake in the celebration of the Osun Festival to minimise bodily contacts among the people.
He said: “We are determined to take all necessary steps to avert Ebola epidemics in our State. Consequently, scaling down this year’s celebration of the Osun Festival is a sacrifice we must make in order to prevent a crisis that will put human lives in jeopardy.”