In spite of the warning by the State Government of Osun over the contamination of Osun River, several devotees of the Osun deity were on Friday spotted drinking from the Osun River.
Recall that the State Government, through the Commissioner for Health, Rafiu Isamotu, had earlier said public health officials would be at the grove during the festival to further sensitise people on the dangers of drinking the water.
He noted that water had been contaminated by activities of artisan miners.
Meanwhile, as the Osun-Osogbo festival comes to a climax on Friday, August 12, thousands of Osun devotees and visitors were seen converged on the Osun grove to pay homage to the deity and consume the water which many of them believe who give them children.
Our reporter who visited the grove said many of them were seen fetching water from the river in different containers and also 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 and dancing to traditional songs.