Widely celebrated Ojude Oba Festival.
By Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye, SAN
I am an Ijebu Christian, and I make that distinction because it reflects a reality I have long understood: in communal living, Christians and Muslims often share far more in common than many people assume.
The widely celebrated Ojude Oba Festival, for instance, has deep cultural ties with the Islamic Eid al-Adha celebration, known as Ileya in Yorubaland. In Ijebuland, Ileya is a festival for everyone—Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers alike.
In my extended family in Ilese-Ijebu, my branch of the Lajoogan family is the only Christian branch, while others are Muslims. Yet religion has never created barriers among us.
Growing up in Ilese-Ijebu, Ileya was one of the most anticipated periods of the year. As early as 7 a.m. on Eid day, members of the Christian Boys’ Brigade would go out with drums, visiting the homes of Muslim leaders and imams. They would play traditional music and escort them to the Eid prayer grounds.
Christian leaders, including priests in their cassocks, also attended and stood respectfully by while Muslims observed their prayers. For us village boys, it was a season of joy and unity.
After the Eid prayers, we would move from one relative’s house to another, helping to skin the slaughtered rams. In return, we received gifts of meat known as “eeja.” A determined boy could collect enough meat from several households to sustain his family for weeks.
At the end of the day, we returned home with exercise books in which we recorded the names of families who had given us meat, cooked rice, or other gifts. These records were carefully kept until Odun Nla (New Year), when Christian families reciprocated with gifts of ram, chicken, or other food items.
Life was simple, peaceful, and deeply communal.
In conversations with my children and grandchildren, I often revisit these memories of a multi-religious society defined by mutual respect, not suspicion.
I recall, for instance, how a masquerade that disrupted Muslims during Ramadan prayers was banned from public display for seven years. That was the level of communal commitment to peace.
This morning, however, my eleven-year-old grandson asked me questions that left me reflecting deeply.
He has an extraordinary memory and often recalls past conversations with precision. He reminded me that I once told him there are good Christians and bad Christians, good Muslims and bad Muslims, and good traditional worshippers and bad ones.
Then he asked a simple but profound question:
“If that is true, Grandpa, why do people who are religious still do bad things?”
Sensing the depth of his question, I responded carefully.
“My son,” I asked him, “what do you think we should do to solve this problem?”
There was a long pause as he thought deeply.
Then he replied quietly:
“Grandpa, the government should outlaw all religions so bad people will have nothing to hide behind when they do evil.”
According to him, banning religion would end terrorism and violence committed in the name of faith.
He then asked whether I agreed with his suggestion.
I told him no.
I explained that being religious does not necessarily mean being godly.
He responded immediately:
“Then scrap religion. God won’t mind.”
I told him religion itself is not the problem.
“What then is the problem?” he asked.
At that point, I pretended to be tired and shifted the conversation by asking about his siblings. As I prepared to end the call, his small voice returned with one final question:
“Grandpa, how do we solve the problem and rescue all the children in captivity?”
I had no answer.
All I could tell him was that religion once brought us peace when I was growing up. Today, I am no longer certain where that peace has gone.
Perhaps the answer does not lie in religion itself, but in how human beings choose to practice it.
And that remains a question Nigeria must confront if it hopes to build a more peaceful future for generations yet to come.
About the Author:
Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye, SAN, is a distinguished Nigerian lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), widely respected for his contributions to law, education, media, and community development. He serves as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences and Chairman of Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu. A seasoned legal practitioner, he is known for his professional excellence and commitment to public service. He is also a strong advocate for educational advancement, social harmony, and community development, particularly in Ijebuland, where he remains a respected voice on public affairs.
Thoughtful !!!