Glitz, glamour as Ikire indigenes celebrate Day
By Timothy Agbor, Osogbo
It was a carnival like at this year’s Ikire Day celebration, as sons and daughters of the ancient town trooped out in their large numbers and in their best attires to grace the epoch-making event.
Ayedaade Grammar school Ikire playing field,venue of the all important programme,on Saturday 20th of November 2021 was a beehive of activities,as sons and daughters of Ikire land in their various Ankara Uniform sat under their various canopies interacting with one another in joyous mood in accompany of their offsprings.
The ceremony which is billed for just one day in a year, especially towards the tail end of the year, was designed to bring together sons and daughters of Ikire land both at home in diaspora to together like one indivisible entity and fight a common front with the aim of lifting their birthday place to greater heights.
Before the programme proper,sons and daughters of Ikire land in their gorgeous attires, depicting the mood of the day,paid traditional homage to his imperial majesty, Akire of Ikire Kingdom,Oba Olatunde Falabi, Lanbeloye the third who in turn showered encomium on his subjects with gladness.
In his welcome address, chairman, Ikire Day 2021 planning committee, Alhaji Comrade Sola Adegboyega commended Osun state Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola for providing atmosphere of peace that made t possible for Ikire people, both at home and in diaspora, to celebrate her day.
Alhaji Sola Adegboyega maintained that not only money and materials that matter in the scheme of things but, Ikire day celebration gave the indigenes of the ancient town the ample opportunity of coming and brainstorming in the area of lifting Ikire land to greater heights.
Speaking in the same vein, a prominent son, a leader and a prince of Ikire land, Retired Col.Olayiwola Dupe Falabi advised sons and daughters of Ikire not to rest on their oars until their birthplace attains greatness, stressing that Ikire indigenes both at home and abroad should always have it at the back of their minds that one’s home is sweet than any other place on the planet earth.
Shortly after Col.Olayiwola Falabi played host to some indigenes of the town at his country home in Ikire,where he official launched”Col.Falabi support Group for the second term bid of Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s second term tenure in office.
There he spoke in glowing tribute of Osun state governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola for his giant strides in the state in the last three years or there about.
Col.Falabi noted that the second term tenure would enable Governor Gboyega Oyetola to conclude the good legacy he started in Osun state.
Speaking with newsmen at the 2021 Ikire day celebration, Honourable member representing Ayedaade,Irewole and Isokan federal constituency at the national Assembly Hon.Taiwo Olukemi Oluga, and the former Chairman of Irewole local government Akogun lere Oyewunmi rejoiced and congratulated all sons and daughters of Ikire land on the occasion of 2021 Ikire day.
The duo prayed Almighty God that the progress and greater heights the ancient Town has witnessed over the years will continue to go higher and be sustained.
Hon.Taiwo Oluga and Akogun lere Oyewunmi called on their kinsmen to continue to be law abiding citizens and should endeavor to be peaceful towards the election year.
A book entitled “Ikire-Omo Ewu ni Iwinrin written by Prince Augustine Oyeyemi Ogunjinmi,Chief Muritala Falana,Mr. Adebayo Onifade,Chief Mojidi Olayikanmi Adegbenle and Prince Gbade Olaniyi was also launching at the 2021 Ikire day.
The book reviewer,a veteran broadcast journalist and a prolific writer Mr.Olatunji Idowu made the audience to understand through his review that the authors have revive, revitalize,rejig, rejuvenate and resuscitate the dying culture which hitherto had become an albatross and subsequent culminate in seeing many Africans deriding,demeaning and degrading their roots.
A substantial amount of money was realised towards the developmental projects of Ikire land.
Notable figures that graced the event includes Hon. commissioner for finance Osun state who is also the chief host Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji, Dr.Wale Babalakin special guest of honour and chief launcher ,Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim mother of the day,Dr.Samson Adewale Adegoke,the Executive Chairman IREWOLE local government,Ikire Hon.Prince Remi Abass, Mrs EbunOluwa Akanke Falabi,a veteran broadcaster Taiwo Ojewande among others.
This year’s Ikire-day celebration will continue to linger in the memories of the sons and daughters that graced the epoch making event for it was colourful and give all the partaker a sense of belonging.
