The indigenes and residents of Isolo Kingdom have been hailed for their compliance with the royal directives on closing shops and markets in Isolo, an autonomous community in Akure South local government area of Ondo state.
This is contained in a statement by Bashir Adefaka, signed on behalf of the Osolo of Isolo on Tuesday.
“We wish to express our gratitude to The indigenes and residents of Isolo Kingdom for their compliance with the royal directives on closing shops and markets in Isolo, an autonomous community in Akure South local government area of Ondo state,” Adefaka stated.
Read the statement below:
There have been several inquiries from sons, daughters, and friends of Isolo, both within Nigeria and abroad, regarding the misinformation being circulated by some detractors about the simultaneous closure of shops and markets in Isolo and Isinkan, coinciding with Akure’s closure for the Amole Festival.
To clarify for all truth-seekers: we, the Isolo Mosu, have no affiliation with the Amole Festival, which, to the best of our knowledge, is a festival of the Agbede people, specifically the goldsmiths, and not of any Oba.
We neither celebrate the Amole Festival nor did we close our markets and shops for it. Those who celebrate Amole have their reasons, but it is not our festival in Isolo, and we certainly did not declare a closure because of it.
For clarity, the markets and shops in and around Isolo town were closed today, Wednesday, September 11, 2024, for a special prayer to inaugurate our festival week, marking the kingdom’s annual yam festival, known in Isolo tradition as Owoyoko. This is our celebration, and the prayer was successfully held earlier today. We are pleased with the solidarity and loyalty demonstrated by the town’s indigenes and residents in adhering to the royal directive for the market and shop closure.
It is a fortunate coincidence that this year’s Owoyoko festival aligns with the Isinkan yam festival. Like Isolo, Isinkan places great value on the security, peace, and development of Ondo State and Nigeria. The Iralepo of Isinkan, His Royal Majesty Oba Oluwagbemiga Ojo Olofin-Adimula, and his subjects also observed closure of businesses to gather and pray for the success of the upcoming state elections and improved conditions in the country.
No one familiar with the history of Ondo State can claim ignorance of the historical ties between Isinkan, Isolo, and Akure—towns that now share the state capital. Isinkan and Isolo are like twins, and this year, their festivals coincidentally align. Both communities have done well to designate separate days to support the state government in prayers, especially ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections.
Isolo Agbe oooo!
