Some market women in Ikorodu and its environs have called on traditional rulers across the division to give the popular Oro Festival a universal appeal so as to enhance economic activities in the division.
According to Vanguard Online, Secretary of Oba Ayangburen Sabo market branch of Yam Sellers Association of Lagos in Ikorodu, Mrs Ayomide Ogunjobi, made this call on Tuesday, 31st January, 2017, while noting that traders in the division usually made poor sales on the days of the Oro festival.
Mrs Ogunjobi further called on traditional rulers in the division to reduce the frequency of Oro festivals held in the communities due to its negative economic implications on women whose movements and business activities are restricted by the traditional curfew, hence leading to loss of income.
Alhaja Sherifat Ibrahim Marshall, a shop owner in Ikorodu suggested that the Oro festival could be reformed in a way that should not curtail freedom of movement and economic activities in the division. She also added that traditional festivities that are contrary to improving on the economic prosperity of the people needs to either be reversed or eradicated.
A pepper and tomato seller at a market in Ijede, Mrs Nike Fagbenro said Nigeria should not be left behind in the global drive toward modernity and civilization, adding that the oro festival negates freedom of movement, economic development and usually cause panic to residents of the division.
The Oro festival is an annual traditional rites festival performed across major communities in Ikorodu, usually characterized by restrictions of movements of women and sometimes, non-indigenes.
