…Devotees defy govt warning, drink water from river
IN spite of the state government’s warning against drinking water from Osun River during the grand finale of the Osun Osogbo festival due to contamination, many devotees and visitors were sighted on today defying the warning.
NaijaTimes gathered that some of the devotees, who fetched the water in different sizes of Jerry Cans, were seen drinking the water on their way out of the grove.
Devotees and visitors, who had trooped out to the river side in their white attires and beads, were seen singing traditional songs and dancing.
One of the devotees, Abidoye Osungbenro, told NAN that she has a strong faith that nothing would happen to her inspite of the fact that the water is contaminated .
She said the deity would protect her and others from any ailment as a result of drinking contaminated water. Osungbenro added that the state government’s warning against drinking the water would not be beneficial to those who believe in the efficacy of the water.
Another devotee, Adeoye Ifadayo, described the Osun River as divine, adding that it could heal and protect. He said goverment warning would not stop them from drinking the water even if contaminated.
Sadiq Adeoso, another devotee, said with the divine power in the river, nothing would happen to those who drink the water because of its sacred powers.
During the festival, tourists, visitors and devotees usually drink from the Osun River for its perceived divine healing properties, while some take the water home to bathe with.
The Osun State government had on Thursday, advised tourists and devotees to the grand finale of the festival to refrain from drinking the water because of contamination.
The Commissioner for Health, Rafiu Isamotu, gave the warning. He said government embarked on sensitisation to discourage people from drinking the water during the festival as it had been contaminated by the activities of artisanal miners.
The river was said to have been heavily contaminated with mercury, lead, cyanide and other injurious elements that are poisonous to human health.
A Geographical Information Analysis and Laboratory Tests carried out by a non-governmental organisation, Urban Alert, also affirmed the presence of heavy elements in the water.
According to the Curator and Site Manager of Osun Osogbo Grove, Adekunle Fatai, no fewer than 60,000 devotees and tourists attended the grand finale.
Traditionalists and devotees of the Osun goddess as early as 7a.m had already troop to grove where the river is located in their numbers to celebrate the grand finale of the festival. Traditional entertainers and cultural troops also entertained guests and visitors at the grove.
The Osun-Osogbo festival, whose history dates back to many centuries, is usually celebrated in an ancient grove believed to be among the last of the sacred forests among Yoruba cities.
