Isese: Emir of Ilorin responds to Soyinka, says festival canceled to avoid crisis
The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, said the planned Isese festival was canceled to avert a crisis in Ilorin, Kwara State.
This is in response to criticism from Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka who slammed the monarch for his role in preventing an Osun priestess, Yeye Ajesikemi Omolara, from holding an Isese festival in the state.
In a statement signed by his spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Arowona, on Friday, the emir said the decision to cancel the festival was the only way to prevent situations that could lead to a crisis in some parts of the country. country.
The statement read: "To set the record straight, Professor Wole Soyinka tends to be frugal with facts, forgetting that war is what no one wants," the statement reads.
The spokesperson noted that the Emir decided to cancel the festival as it was capable of wreaking havoc in society, if not dealt with quickly.
"It's about preventing crises and not waiting for them to happen, because the cost of dealing with crises cannot be equated with the wisdom or courage needed to prevent them.
"Such proactivity is necessary to maintain peaceful coexistence in society.
"It is therefore surprising to hear that Professor Soyinka's position is identical to that of someone who does not consider what might happen if the program were hosted," the statement read.
He added that the priestess had lived "harmonously" in the city for years "until she decided to go beyond her limits".
"This can lead to problems which could also lead to retaliatory attacks from sympathizers or promoters of such a belief (Isese festival) in other parts of the country.
"There are many non-natives in Kwara who are serving and retired, including business owners who have sworn to move their families to the state due to peace and harmony that reigns there.
"Yeye Ajesikemi also confirmed that she lived harmoniously in Ilorin for many years, until she decided to go beyond her limits."
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The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, said the planned Isese festival was canceled to avert a crisis in Ilorin, Kwara State.
This is in response to criticism from Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka who slammed the monarch for his role in preventing an Osun priestess, Yeye Ajesikemi Omolara, from holding an Isese festival in the state.
In a statement signed by his spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Arowona, on Friday, the emir said the decision to cancel the festival was the only way to prevent situations that could lead to a crisis in some parts of the country. country.
The statement read: "To set the record straight, Professor Wole Soyinka tends to be frugal with facts, forgetting that war is what no one wants," the statement reads.
The spokesperson noted that the Emir decided to cancel the festival as it was capable of wreaking havoc in society, if not dealt with quickly.
"It's about preventing crises and not waiting for them to happen, because the cost of dealing with crises cannot be equated with the wisdom or courage needed to prevent them.
"Such proactivity is necessary to maintain peaceful coexistence in society.
"It is therefore surprising to hear that Professor Soyinka's position is identical to that of someone who does not consider what might happen if the program were hosted," the statement read.
He added that the priestess had lived "harmonously" in the city for years "until she decided to go beyond her limits".
"This can lead to problems which could also lead to retaliatory attacks from sympathizers or promoters of such a belief (Isese festival) in other parts of the country.
"There are many non-natives in Kwara who are serving and retired, including business owners who have sworn to move their families to the state due to peace and harmony that reigns there.
"Yeye Ajesikemi also confirmed that she lived harmoniously in Ilorin for many years, until she decided to go beyond her limits."
Please share this story:
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