All is now set for the celebration of the annual Odide day Cultural festival organized by Ilajo the Royal family of the ancient town of Kabba in Kogi State with the theme: “Odun ife ati Irepo” (celebration of Love and Unity)
A press statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja and signed by the chairman planning committee, Elder J. Oluwole Adebola and the Secretary, Dr Senewo Emmanuel Femi, stated that
Odide Day celebration is meant to celebrate the memories and great achievements of Obaro Odide, the progenitor of the Ilajo Royal family, and to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the ancient town of Kabba
The planning committee chairman said this year’s event, which is expected to draw many personalities to the town, is an annual event that brings family members both within and outside the country together to fraternize, savour the rich local delicacies, and thank God for His mercies and provision during the outgoing year.
He said the celebration is planned to be three days of funfare, praise and worship, free medical outreach, cultural displays, and conferment of awards to deserving indigenes and non indegenes of the community.
The chairman said the ceremony will be addressed by an erudite professor and a retired military officer, Wing Commander Prof Adetokunbo Rafel Adebola, on an important topic: “Love and Unity as Ingredients for Community Development”
According to the chairman, personalities slated for award of excellence for their outstanding contributions to the development of the Owe community include the president of Kabba Development Union, Engineer Emmanuel Ajibero, head of INTERPOL in Nigeria, AIG Idowu Owohunwa and Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi (rtd) former Defence Chief of Intelligence. Pa Adebiyi, a non indigene, will be honoured for his ” love and commitment to Owe land”
Others to be honoured for their various contributions to the community, he said, are renowned entrepreneur, investment banker and philanthropist Mr Gabriel Adetuntun Bonidefaye Owope, Mr Banji Jimoh, a renowned banker and former Kogi State governorship aspirant and Olusegun Toluhi, a renowned Engineer, Egg- head and a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Others who will be given post humous award of Heroes and Heroins of the Ilajo Royal family are the immediate past Obaro of Kabba, Oba Michael Folorunsho Olobayo, Mr John I Olorunleke, Chief Mrs Margaret Audu and Chief Samuel Adekunle .
He also disclosed that scholarship awards will be given to 20 Ilajo students in tertiary institutions. Ten of the awards are based on exceptional academic performance, while the other ten (10) are in aid of the academic pursuits of beneficiaries .
The statement reads in part:
” The three – day programme will run thus;
Day 1: 27th December Odide Praise& Worship, Free Medical Outreach, Cultural displays., Folklore/Drama presentation
Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Venue: -Obaro Palace, Aofin, Obaro Way. Kabba
“Day 2: 28th December Family Banquet, award of excellence to 11 personalities, scholarship award to 20 students. Guest Speaker’s speech and Drama Presentation.”
The events will be held at Lisa Palm Hptel and Cathedral Cjirch of St Andrew, Kabba.
