COVID-19: Ekiti monarchs cancel annual get-together

The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has cancelled the 2020 ‘get-together’ for the elite Ilawe sons and daughters, due to the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
Chairman of the council, who doubles as the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi announced the cancellation in a statement on Tuesday.
The cancellation is also in line with a recent directive by the Ekiti State Government, that all traditional institutions should either postpone or cancel all cultural and traditional festivals usually staged at the end of the year.
The government had listed some of the annual events to include annual ‘Towns Day’, local festivals like Masquerade and Ogun and Clubs meetings among others, till 2021.
The get-together was earlier billed to hold at the Alawe’s palace in Ekiti South West Local Government Area on December 26.
A statement issued by Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, Special Adviser on Media to the Alawe, added that the annual meeting would, however, hold in 2021.
“The cancellation is predicated on the recent happenings in the country and the need for people to stay safe,’’ the statement read in part.
The Oba normally hosts the annual meeting of Ilawe elites, who come from across the country and abroad to celebrate.
“Oba Alabi, therefore, wishes all Ilawe indigenes, both at home and abroad, happy and peaceful celebration of Christmas,’’ the statement said.
He further prayed that all his subjects would witness a happy new year 2021 full of blessings of God, to allow his subjects celebrate together again.
The annual get together has over the years been a forum for prominent citizens of the town to exchange ideas with the Alawe on the development of the town.