AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oyo State has issued a safety advisory to Corps members serving in Ibadan ahead of the 2025 Oloolu Festival, a traditional Egungun celebration scheduled to take place from Monday, July 28 to Thursday, July 31.
In a statement released by the Head of the Information and Public Relations Unit, Mrs. Faniyi Abimbola, the NYSC emphasized the need for all Corps members—particularly females—to adhere strictly to cultural and safety guidelines during the duration of the festival.
The statement explained that the Oloolu masquerade will pass through several key areas in Ibadan including Oje, Gate, Oja-Oba, Ayeye, Orita-Merin, Beere, Oranyan, Idi-Arere, Agugu, Oke-Aremo, Oremeji, and the Olubadan Palace, among other routes.
“It is forbidden for females/women to see the masquerade,” the statement read. “Therefore, we strongly advise all our female Corps members to abide by this tradition whenever the masquerade is passing through your areas.”
The NYSC also cautioned all Corps members to avoid congregating along the designated festival routes and warned against taking photographs or videos of the masquerade, or engaging in any actions that could be interpreted as disrespectful to the cultural rites.
Corps members were further urged to comply with instructions from community leaders and security personnel, and to stay updated on local advisories throughout the festival period.
In addition, the NYSC appealed to the leadership of transport unions in the state to instruct their members to avoid conveying Corps members and prospective Corps members through potentially unsafe routes during the festival.
“The NYSC management in Oyo State, under the leadership of Mr. Kayode Ola Peters, remains committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all Corps members,” the statement concluded.
The Oloolu Festival is one of Ibadan’s oldest and most revered traditional events, known for its strict observance of local customs, especially the cultural restriction against women witnessing the Oloolu masquerade.
