From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Friday held the annual Ayangalu drum festival where he prayed for peace and tranquillity in Nigeria.

The monarch who explained the importance of the drum, particularly to the Yoruba people, described it as an old and vital tool of communication.

A statement by the Director, Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, quoted the monarch as saying that Yoruba people valued the drum because they also used it to preach peace and harmony.

He said, “our ancestors used drum majorly for communication, for it goes beyond entertainment and till date, Yoruba people use the drum for communication and as a vital tool for preaching peace and harmony.

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“By the spirit of Ayangalu festival, we use the rhythm and tone to communicate peace and peaceful coexistence to our people.

“We are like the barometer in the next electioneering campaign in Nigeria, Osun gubernatorial election is coming up in the next two to three weeks and that will lead to a major election in Nigeria by next year January.

“We know that things are hard especially in the issue of security in Nigeria, celebrating Ayangalu will make us focus on peace and peaceful coexistence. Let’s remain steadfast in promoting our cultural heritage for our collective progress,” the statement added.