17th October, 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE8cuDjXAKc
Abiodun Onafuye/ Ijebu Ode
The Speaker of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives, Aminu
Waziri Tambuwal has pledged support for the demand of the Ijebu people in Ogun state for a state.
The lawmaker stated this today at the 2013 annual Ojude Oba festival
in Ijebu Ode.
The Speaker also revealed that he and his other colleagues are working
toward ensuring that Royal fathers are given a chance in the
executive council of the States so as to join in the deliberations and
play an advisory role.
In his address, the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun congratulated the monarch, Awujale of Ijebvuland and all sons and daughters of Ijebus for the successful hosting of the Ojude Oba
festival every year, saying, the festival is among what makes the
State one of the tourist destinations in Nigeria.
The governor gave an assurance that his administration will also back the Ijebus on their clamour for an Ijebu State, adding that, “I believe that the people have what it takes to be a State in terms of both human and natural resources”.
The festival, which is majorly sponsored by Globacom Limited and FCMB, alongside other corporate bodies, witnessed sons and daughters of Ijebu, including the Baloguns, age-groups, Societies and ethnic associations paying homage to the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, at the pavilion directly opposite the main palace.
Aside the parade of the age groups, traditional
songs, poems and horse-riding display featured at the festival which was witnessed by people from far and near including expatriates.
Apart from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,who was the Special Guest of Honour, and Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG.
The wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, the State deputy governor, Prince Segun Adesegun,Secretary to Ogun State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa and almost all the State executive council members were also present.
Others are the three Senators representing the State: Gbenga Obadara
(Ogun Central), Alhaji Adegbenga Kaka (Ogun East), Akin Odunsi (Ogun
West). Also, two members of the House of Representatives from Ogun
State, Abiodun Akinlade(Yewa South/Imeko/ Ipokia Constituency) and
Abiodun Abudu representing Ogun Waterside/Ijebu North/ Ijebu East
Constituency were present.
The governor further used the occasion to assure all sons and
daughters of Ijebu Ode of his commitment to the completion of the
ongoing flyovers at both the expressway and Lagos garage axis of the
State, soliciting for more patience from the people as funds and the
weather condition have been the cause of the delay.
In his remark, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Adetona expressed
dissatisfaction with the state of the nation, saying, “it is of course
a great pity that Nigeria, a country of anticipated land of milk and
honey at independence has today become a nation of ills and shame.
Corruption has become pervasive and endemic, nepotism is rife,
infrastructural decay, collapsed education system,kidnapping, armed
robbery and pen robbery,child abuse and human trafficking, comatose
economy,lack of unemployment have all become the order of the day.Our
political landscape has today become a nightmare and more so with the
approach of 2015 elections”.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of trophies to the
winners among the age groups and the horse riders.
In the male category, Egbe Bobagunte (1959-1961) came first while the
age group of Awujale, Egbe Mafowoku came second. Egbe Arobayo (1968-1971) came third.
In the female category, Egbe Jagunmolu (Original) came first while Egbe Bobakeye (Double T)came second. Another Bobakeye group (Surakat Group) came third.
From the Balogun’s (horse riders) families, the Otun Balogun of
Ijebuland, Chief Agboola Alausa led the Alausa family to clinch the
first position while Balogun Adeshoye came second with the third
position going to the Balogun Kuku family.
The three panelists for this year’s festival are Chief Fassy
Yussuf, Coordinator of Ojude Oba 2013, Mrs Ronke Amusan, Ogun State
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and Mrs Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo.