Cholera outbreak: Onisapa preaches good hygiene, urges violent-free Egungun festival
Jeremiah OYELEKE
In the wake of the cholera outbreak ravaging parts of Nigeria the Onisapa of Isapa in Ogbomoso Oyo state, Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide Olajide l has urged Nigerians to imbibe top level hygiene.
This is as the monarch charged the followers of Egungun to maintain decorum during their forthcoming festival in Ogbomoso.
Lagos and some other states have recorded outbreak of cholera with several deaths in tow, the Oyo state government has however declared that no case of cholera has been reported in the state.
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The traditional ruler therefore urged the people to promote hygienic living in order to contain further spread of the disease.
“I plead with our people in Isapa, Ogbomoso and Nigeria as a whole to embrace good hygiene in orde to curb the spread of cholera ravaging the land,” Oba Olajide stressed in a statement he signed Tuesday and made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com.
“This is very important. We should teach our children to always wash their hands when they return from school, eat only foods prepared under hygienic condition and drink good water. Elders are not exempted from these measures.
“Also, let us avoid dwelling in filthy environments. It is my prayer God will intervene to take control where there have been cholera outbreaks.”
The monarch consequently urged government to rise to the occasion and contain its spread.
Appealing to Egungun adherents to ensure a hitch-free celebration as Egungun festival gets underway, he noted the festival is designed to promote unity and peace in remembrance of the ancestors and that it should be celebrated within this purview.
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“The Egungun adherents should comport themselves during their forthcoming festival, they should eschew violence and hooliganism. Egungun festival should not be an avenue to settle old scores, it is a celebration and it should be made so,” he harped, adding, “Avoid use of weapons, make it interesting to attract tourists. It is meant to promote peace and unity and to celebrate our ancestors. It should be under this auspice it is celebrated, and not to promote violence. I wish you happy celebration.”
The Oba congratulated his people on witnessing another month praying “the grace of God will see us through the second half of the year 2024.”
