Why we closed shops and markets – Osolo
By KEMI KASUMU
The Osolo of Isolo, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II, has shed more light on the closure of markets and shops in his kingdom on Wednesday September 11, 2024, saying it has no collection with Amole of Akure.
The Osolo spoke through a statement by Prince Bashir Adefaka, circulated to the media Wednesday evening.
He said, “As a follow up to our press statement of Tuesday September 10, 2024, we are thanking the Isolo Kingdom indigenes and residents for their compliance with the royal directives on closure of shops and markets in Isolo, an autonomous community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“There have been calls and questions from sons, daughters and friends of Isolo home, across Nigeria and abroad, regarding the misinformation being peddled around by some naysayers about our (Isolo and Isinkan) closing of shops and markets on the same day Akure was closing same centres for Amole Festival.
“To clear the doubt of any truth lover, we, the Isolo Mosu, have no connection with Amole festival, which to our best knowledge is festival of Agbede people, that is the gold smiths, not even of an Oba.
“So, neither do we celebrate Amole festival nor did we shut down our markets and shops for it. Those who are celebrating Amole know best why they are doing so, but it is not our festival in Isolo and we could not have declared a special day because such festival is being celebrated in our neighbouring town.
“Now, for clarity purposes, we shut the markets and shops in and around Isolo town and villages today Wednesday September 11, 2024 because of the special prayer organised to flag off our festival week, marking the kingdom’s annual yam festival, known in Isolo tradition as Owoyoko.
“This is what we are doing, and the prayer had been done earlier today and we are impressed by the solidarity and loyalty to royalty of the town as shown by fellow indigenes and residents in compliance with its directive on markets and shops closure.
“It is a good co-incidence that this Owoyoko happens around same week with the Isinkan yam festival this year and, because like Isolo, Isinkan loves 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 closed down all businesses to enable them come together and pray, especially, for success of the coming election in the state and ease of situation in the country.
“No person in Ondo State, conversant with undistorted history, can claim to be ignorant of where Isinkan, Isolo and Akure towns – now sharing the state capital – are coming from.
“Isinkan and Isolo are like twins and their spirits, this time, worked together as seen in their festivals happening about the same period and they have done well in fixing a day, by their separate discretion, to assist the state government in prayers in achieving security, peace and success, particularly, before, during and after the oncoming governorship election in the state.
“May God Almighty give peace to our own Isolo, Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole. Amiin.
“Isolo Agbe a ooo!” the statement, signed by Prince Bashir Olorunkemi Adefaka for the Osolo of Isolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II, said.
