The Federal University Oye-Ekiti has issued an urgent directive asking all female employees and students on the Ikole campus to stay home from August 7 to August 9, 2024, due to the upcoming Oro celebration in the Ikole-Ekiti community.
The goal of the policy, according to a statement from the registrar’s office dated August 6, is to protect female students at the university during this traditional occasion.
In a memo signed by Senior Assistant Registrar Ibukunoluwa O. Alamu, the university stressed the need for this precaution due to the “Oro” festival.
The notice was titled, “Notice to All Female Staff and Students on Ikole Campus.”
The memo read: “This is to inform all female staff and students on the Ikole campus of the University that they are requested to stay indoors between Wednesday, 7th August, and Friday, 9th August 2024 due to the ‘Oro’ festival scheduled to hold within the Ikole-Ekiti community. This is for your kind noting.”
The Oro festival is an indigenous cultural tradition that is observed in many Yoruba communities. It is primarily marked by the presence of masked men and restrictions on women’s movement.
The purpose of the notice is to protect the health and safety of all female members during this period.
The university strongly advises everyone who may be impacted to abide by this order and spend the duration of the festival indoors.
