Rebranded Iwude-Ijesa Festival isn't a celebration of rituals: Igbaroola declares

The Vice-chairman of Iwude-Ijesa Planning Committe, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola has cleared the air on the wrong assumption of some people that the annual Iwude-Ijesa Festival that is celebrated every last Saturday before the celebration of Christmas is a festival of rituals surrounded by sacrifices.

He made the remark when the members of the committee made a familiarization visit to the management of Ilesa Gold FM Radio Station at Iloko-Ijesa road on Tuesday 24th September, 2019.

According to him the festival which is now rebranded with lots of entertaining activities is to sustain the heritage of Ijesa people and to play host to sons and daughters of ijesaland who might not have had the opportunities to meet after a long time as Ijesa sons and daughters are known as hardworking and adventurous people. Hence the festival is truly a rallying point and homecoming for the entire Ijesa people all over the world, to once again identify with their heritage that marks their sense of existence. They appeared in their best attires, where sumptuous food and drinks accompany merry making while celebrating the cultural festival together.

He explained that in the time past, who ever desired to see Owa Obokun must see him in his palace as the paramount ruler would not leave the palace except when Iwude festival was celebrated that the he would be carried on special royal chair by Royal palace emissaries (the Emesè).

It is the Iwude-Ijesa festival that made it mandatory for the Owa Obokun Adimula to come out once in 365 days to visit his subjects.

 On the Iwude celebration, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland comes out of his Aafin Adimula Palace, moves in grandeur across a section of the community with his people (Ijesa subjects) paying him homage and obeisance and returns to his palace in the evening.

Since 2011when the festival was rebranded, various innovations were incorporated into the festival. One of such is the introduction of the Ayo Olopon Competition, Soccer and Handball Competitions, amplified concerts and extensive media coverage.

Chief Igbaroola therefore seized the occasion of the visit to officially call for the cooperation and assistance of the management of Ilesa Gold FM radio station in the area of media publicity while he presented the drafted copy of 2019 edition programme and copies of past brochures of event to Alhaji Imram Abolade, the General Manager. He also seized the occasion to send signal to all Ijesa sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora that the preparation for 2019 edition of the festival is now in top gear.

Responding, Alhaji Imram Abolade, appreciated the efforts of notable Ijesas over the years and particularly for their support and financial assistance when some departments of the radio station were gutted by fire. He also saluted the custodian of Iwude Ijesa Festival, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, LLD, Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland for making the festival a festival of unity for Ijesa sons and daughters.

He promised on behalf of Gold FM Nigeria, to give this year festival an adequate publicity and to work hand in hand with the committee.

 Concluding, the General Manager solicited for more assistance from well-to-do Ijesas to help them in the areas of epileptic electricity supply as the station relies on generators powered by diesel. He also mentioned that the two operational vehicles at the station are grounded.

Members of Iwude-Ijesa Planning Committe that accompanied Chief Afolabi Igbaroola to the radio station included Mr. Dimeji Lasore - Chairman, Publicity Committee, Prince Isaac Haastrup, Mrs. Oluwabunmi Ogunniyi - Administrative Secretary and Mr. Oluwatobiloba Omirin - Office Assistant. While Alhaji Imram Abolade the General Manager was surrounded by Mr. Abayomi Adewale - HOD, Programmes, Mr. Samson Adesiyan - HOD, Audit, Mrs. Kehinde Opatuyi - Marketing Department, Mrs. Victoria Ojo - Account Department, Prince Isaac Haastrup - News, Mr. Akintunji Akinleye - News, Engr. Hakeem Oyawale, Mr. Akande - Procurement Officer and Mr. Akomolafe Dayo from the ICT Department.