Eko Pride and Culture Week. Eko O ni Baje-Tribute to the city of Lagos By JESUROBOOWIE GIFT IMAFIDON

A beautiful landscape crisscrossed
With fascinating bodies of water
Naturally beautiful and densely populated
From various lands we have come
From different tribes, tongues and race
Our destiny is tied to the chord here
Yes, it is our Eko.

Home to all, hope to many
Blessed land of great opportunities
From Badagry to the breaches of the atlantics
The vast seas of human heads at Oshodi
To the farmlands in Ikorodu
And the fishermen's delight in Epe
Yes it is our Eko

The mainland and the island
Divided between the rich and the poor
Yet we mix up so easily in the epicenter of isaleko
With nightlife like day time in las vagas
With a faster wallstreet in lagos island
and our Maryland is in the mainland
yes it is our Eko

Oh ye city that knows no sleep
Not without the oceans of beautiful faces
Unceasing hustling and struggling is our trademark
We know how to relax in our owambe parties
And cause the fireworks in the sky with our eyo
Beautiful masquerades from the dead that ensure we thrive
As we relentlessly dance and sing, Eko oni baje
O baje ti!

MEANING OF YORUBA TERMS USED IN THE POEM
EKO=the Yoruba word for Lagos
EPE, ISALEKO, IKORUDU, BADAGRY, OSHODI=Areas in lagos
OWAMBE=Lavish celebration
EYO=cultural masquerade dressed in flowing white gown, the symbol of lagos state
EKO O NI BAJE=Lagos will not spoil(a popular slang in lagos)
O BAJE TI=It won’t get spoilt forever

Eko Pride and Culture Week. Fashola Unveils The Logo Of Lagos Carnival 2010.

Eko Pride and Culture Week. Modern day Eyo. .

Eko Pride and Culture Week. Modern day Eyo. . Alakete Pupa Presents Traditional Staff To Fashola

Alakete Pupa Conclave (Eyo Laba or the Royal Eyo) on Monday presented the traditional staff of Eyo to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), for blessing at the Lagos House, Ikeja .

The ceremony featured chants by the staff bearers led by the leader or Olori Eyo, Chief Kabiru Adesina Oshodi to present the staff to the Governor, after which he offered detailed prayers for the continued well being of the Governor, his team, the state and the nation.

The ceremony, known as Ikapa, is traditionally held to present the staff of Eyo for blessing to the Governor, the Oba of Lagos and other eminent Lagosians as well as herald the hosting of the Eyo Festival. It began on Sunday with the Eyo Adimu Conclave presenting the Staff of Eyo to the Governor at State House, Marina.

Eko Pride and Culture Week. Modern day Eyo. Traditional staff @ the state house for Ikapa ceremony

The ceremony, which was preceded by a meeting of the planning committee to review preparations for the event, featured the leader of the Okolaba, the Eyo Adimu Conclave, leading other conclave members to present the staff to the Governor and offering prayers for peace and prosperity of the State.

The ceremony, known as Ikapa, is traditionally held to present the staff of Eyo for blessing to the Governor, the Oba of Lagos and other eminent Lagosians as well as herald the hosting of the Eyo Festival.

According to the order of presentation, the Alakete Pupa Conclave (Eyo Laba or the Royal Eyo) will present the staff to the aforementioned prominent indigenes on Monday followed by the Eyo Oniko Conclave on Tuesday while the Eyo Ologede Conclave and the Eyo Agere Conclave will perform similar ceremony on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.