Residents of Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Tuesday called on the state government to stop the Oro festival in the area.

The residents, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, said the celebration hinders their movement and affects the economy of the area.

NAN reported that the residents were reacting to the restriction of movement because of Oro celebration on Monday at Igbogbo, a suburb of Ikorodu.

A businesswoman, Mrs. Olayemi Bamgbade, told NAN that she had experienced the restrictions for 15 years.

She said, “We urge the government to put a stop to this Oro tradition. If government does not cancel it, they should restrict the event to midnight.

“We residents are at the receiving end of this saga.”

She said the tradition was a violation of the fundamental human rights of the residents.

An accountant, Mr. Tony Iruah, said the tradition was frustrating to his family.

Mrs. Iyabo Olofin, a hair dresser in Ikorodu, said the tradition had become a source of worry for the residents, adding that it was unfair for the government to allow it to go on.

She noted that the continued observance of the tradition by its adherents gives the impression that the country was tilting towards barbarism.

“It is so sad that in spite of the level of civilisation globally, we still condone some archaic and barbaric traditions that ought to be extinct,” she said.

A clergyman, Mr. Emmanuel Obasa, said any religious or traditional festival that infringed on people’s freedom of movement was bad and unlawful.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110928461654

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Good one from ikorodu residence. March 18th governorship election will hold in ibeju lekki LG as planned.