Despite the government’s warnings, devotees and visitors were sighted drinking from the contaminated Osun river during the grand finale of the Osun Osogbo festival on Friday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, some of the worshippers, 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 riverside in their white attires and beads, were seen singing traditional songs and dancing.
One of the worshippers, Abidoye Osungbenro, told NAN that she has a strong faith that nothing would happen to her in spite of the fact that the water is contaminated.
Osungbenro said the deity would protect her and others from any ailment as a result of drinking contaminated water.
She said 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.
Ifadayo said government warning would not stop them from drinking the water even if contaminated.
Also speaking, 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.
NAN reports that those selling the Jerry cans made brisk business at the entrance of the grove.
Prices of the Jerry cans ranged from N150 to N350, depending on size.
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.
NAN reports that the government on Thursday had advised tourists and devotees to the grand finale of the festival to refrain from drinking the water because of contamination.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, gave the advice in an interview with NAN.
He said the 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.
Isamotu said public health officials would be at the grove during the festival to further sensitise people on the dangers of drinking the water.
According to the Curator and Site Manager of Osun Osogbo Grove, Mr Adekunle Fatai, no fewer than 60,000 devotees and tourists are expected at the grand finale.
The river is 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.
Meanwhile, traditionalists and Osun goddess devotees continued to troop the river in their numbers as early as 700 a.m to celebrate the grand finale of the festival.
Traditional entertainers and cultural troops were also seen entertaining guests and visitors at the grove.
The Osun-Osogbo festival, whose history dates back many centuries, is usually celebrated in an ancient grove believed to be among the last of the sacred forests among Yoruba cities.
In recognition of its global significance and cultural value, the Sacred Grove was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
NAN further reports that for the people of Osogbo land, the festival symbolises the traditional cleansing of the town and the cultural reunion of the people with their ancestors and founders of the Osogbo kingdom.