The Olota of Otta – Awori Kingdom in Ado – Ota Local Government of Ogun State, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, has called on his people both home and in the Diaspora to contribute towards the revival and promotion of the traditional, historical cultural values of the Ijamido stream in Ottaland because of its “healing power.”
Oba Obalenge, a Professor of Journalism, revealed that the ancient kingdom was already liaising with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help protect and secure the site from being swept away by the ravages of an advancing gully erosion in the areas bordering the stream.
He noted that the Ijamido stream was paramount to the Ota culture and the people over the years, disclosing that aside its well – known healing power and potential to serve as both tourist centre and veritable revenue source, it is what the people traditionally use to solidify contractual agreement between two or more parties on any matter of interest.
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The monarch made this known to The Nation shortly after briefing newsmen in his palace at the weekend ahead of the weeklong Omo Iganmode Cultural Festival scheduled to begin on December 16.
This year’s festival theme is ‘Otta: The Beacon of Awori Heritage and Civilisation.’
He recalled as one of the custodians of the Yoruba tradition and culture that his people from old also used water from the stream to fortify themselves against evil spirits.
He said, “Ijamido River is special because of its healing power. We also believe that you can use it (the water) to actually solidify any kind of covenant between two parties and we also use it to fortify ourselves against evil spirits.
“Good enough, it is a cultural site, people do visit the place, although for now it has been ravaged by erosion, we are liaising with the Presidency to ensure that we get it back to what it used to be.”