On Friday, 12 December 2025, the town of Erinmo‑Ijesa, Oriade local government, Osun State held a historic special Jumat service to inaugurate the 2025 edition of the Iwude Ijesa festival, a cultural celebration aimed at uniting all of Ijesaland. The prayer service, held at the Erinmo‑Ijesa Central Mosque, marked the first time the festival’s opening ceremony has been staged in the town.
The Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Imam Qoseem Lawal, delivered a sermon urging attendees to “love your town of origin” and reminding them that “it is God who puts this in our minds.” He said those blessed with the “godly gift” of leadership must keep the progress of their native land at heart, adding, “Ijesa people are brave and renowned for the advancement of their land.” Imam Lawal praised the the notable development that Ijesaland is witnessing within the short time of OWA Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III's enthronement, as he pointed out the reconstruction of the Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan express road that was announced on his installation day.
The preacher also called on affluent sons and daughters of Ijesa to invest in industries rather than spend on luxury cars or hotels, and to support successful brothers and sisters in the community. He appealed to Ijesa politicians to use their positions for positive impact and offered a prayer for Erinmo‑Ijesa, the broader Ijesaland region, Osun State, and Nigeria as a whole.
Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, Chairman of the Iwude Ijesa planning committee, highlighted the festival’s aim of fostering Ijesaland unity. He noted that Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, Elerinmo of Erinmo‑Ijesa, has consistently championed programmes that bring the Ijesa people together and announced the schedule of events for the upcoming festival.
In his remarks, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi underscored the significance of religious unity in the town, pointing to the presence of the Chairman of the Erinmo‑Ijesa Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the mosque. He also called for the submission of ten names of Muslim children attending public schools in Erinmo‑Ijesa, announcing that they would be awarded scholarships.
Dignitaries present included the Owaloko of Iloko‑Ijesa, the Aringbajo of Igbajo‑Erinmo‑Ijesa, members of the Elerinmo‑in‑Council, and Apostle Muyide, Chairman of the Erinmo‑Ijesa Chapter of CAN and many representatives of the Ijesa Unity Carnival legbelegbes. The programme also featured food items gifted to worshippers by Engr. Isaac Ademola Agoro.
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