- Safiu Kehinde
Aderonke Okeleye, President of the Omoluabi Parapo Conservative Group (OPCG), has criticized the Lisabi festival held on Saturday, stressing that it is not reflective of local culture.
The Ogun state indigene with Egba descent faulted the the festival in a post shared on her X handle on Monday.
While expressing her disappointment with the organizers of the event themed ‘Egbaliganza’, Okeleye held that hosting the event on the same day as the coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo is disrespectful to the whole Yoruba race.
She also noted that the event was devoid of originality and spirituality.
Okeleye faulted that appearance of men in skirt which contradicted Yoruba culture.
She further noted that the event failed to promote local contents as the outfits designer was an Igbo man.
This, according to Okeleye, explained the appearance of Yoruba men in skirt.
She charged the organizers to make deeper consultations and connect with the ancestors and the locals ahead of next edition.
“As an indigene of Ogun state, I’m highly disappointed in the organizers @egbaleganza of Lisabi day.
“Here are the issues; Hosting Lisabi day ( a yearly event) on the same day as the coronation of Alafin of Oyo is disrespectful to the whole of Yoruba race. It raises questions. Coronation of Alafin happens once in a lifetime.
“There is no originality in that event. First, the outfits. YORUBA MEN DON’T WEAR SKIRTS.!!!
“Second, there was no spirituality present in that event. I’m very sure none of them consulted Ifa in regards to that event and if they did, they did not follow instructions.
“Finally, local contents were not promoted. The main designer of the event is an igbo man 😂 .
“Why won’t he sew skirt for all of you. y’all looking like clowns .
“Whatever happened over the weekend was not Lisabi day. It was a social event and nothing more.
“The spirit of Lisabi was absent. I watched all the videos and I couldn’t connect.
“Y’all should go back to your drawing table and do it right next time. This time connect with the ancestors, the locals.
“Talk to the babas and old iyas. Let them educate you on how it’s done. Ire o.” Okeleye wrote.