Iganmode Festival 2024 to Showcase Ota Awori Heritage, Cultural Values – Planning Committee Chairman, Tayo Idowu
Chief Idowu encouraged everyone to participate in this year’s Iganmode Cultural Festival “in the spirit of unity and progress”
Temitayo Idowu, the chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the Iganmode Cultural Festival, has announced that the 2024 edition of the festival has been meticulously organized to highlight the Awori people’s centuries-old rich traditional culture and values.
This announcement was made during the press conference for the 2024 Odun Omo Iganmode Festival, held on Friday, December 9, 2024, at the palace of the Olota of Otta, Ogun State.
Idowu, who unveiled this year’s festival theme, “Otta, Beacon of Awori Heritage and Civilization,” emphasized that this theme holds significant meaning as it honors Otta’s role as a cultural and historical center for the Awori people.
He added that Otta has preserved a unique cultural legacy, serving as a living testament to the resilience, values, and traditions that define Awori civilization.
Idowu outlined the activities scheduled for the week-long festival, which will commence on Monday, December 16, 2024, with Osugbo prayers, a visit to Ijamido Omi Atura, and rites at Ile Aje to seek blessings for a prosperous Ottaland.
Day two of the event, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, will focus on Awori youths with activities including Youth Converge, visits to the Ijamido Motherless Home, and a medical outreach, among others.
The grand finale of the 2024 Iganmode Cultural Festival is set for Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the Otta township mini stadium inside St. Michael School. Activities on this day will include chieftaincy installations and a reception for the Olota.
The festival will conclude with a church thanksgiving at St. Michael African Church in Igbo, Otta, on Sunday, December 22, 2024.
Chief Idowu encouraged everyone to participate in this year’s Iganmode Cultural Festival “in the spirit of unity and progress.” He added that the 2024 edition is all about “celebrating the beauty of our culture in the heart of Otta.”
The Iganmode Cultural Festival is a historic and annual event dedicated to promoting and exhibiting the exquisite culture and tradition of the Aworis at large. It is equally significant as as a medium to pray to our ancestors for the continuous economic viability, peace, and political order in Aworiland, Ogun State, and Nigeria at large.
Read the full speech from Chief Tayo Idowu, chairman of the festival’s Central Planning Committee as provided at the press conference.
SPEECH DELIVERED BY CHIEF TEMITAYO IDOWU, CENTRAL PLANNING CHAIRMAN FOR THE 2024 IGANMODE CULTURAL FESTIVAL AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE HELD ON 8TH NOVEMBER 2014
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It is with immense pride and joy that I stand before you today as the Central Planning Chairman of the Iganmode Cultural Festival for the 2024 edition, to officially address the press in connection with the 2024 Iganmode Cultural Festival.
From December 16th to December 21st, 2024, the historic city of Otta will come alive as we celebrate our rich heritage, honor our ancestors, and showcase the cultural wealth of the Awori people.
The Iganmode Cultural Festival has long been a beacon of our traditions and values. Each year, we gather to rekindle our collective spirit, passing down the stories, arts, and values that have sustained us over the centuries. The theme “Otta, Beacon of Awori Heritage and Civilization” holds profound significance as it honors Otta’s role as a cultural and historical center for the Awori people. Otta has preserved a unique cultural legacy, making it a living testament to the resilience, values, and traditions that define the Awori civilization.
Otta stands as a beacon because it embodies the richness of Awori customs, language, arts, and social values. This heritage encompasses not only the visible symbols of tradition but also the values of unity, respect for elders, community support, and reverence for our ancestors. The city’s history is deeply intertwined with the spiritual and moral values that guide us as a people with distinct identity.
As a civilization, Otta has been a center of influence, fostering trade, leadership, and innovation among the Awori and beyond. It was historically a hub for commerce and a space for cultural exchange.
This legacy of openness and progress continues, as Otta remains a space that encourages innovation, knowledge-sharing, and economic growth. The Iganmode Cultural Festival itself is an annual revival of this spirit, where people come together to celebrate and strengthen ties.
Thus, the theme calls on us not only to celebrate our traditions but also to recognize Otta’s enduring impact as a model for cultural resilience and advancement. As we celebrate the Iganmode Cultural Festival, we are reminded that Otta is more than a geographic location, it is a living embodiment of Awori pride, wisdom, and progress, inspiring future generations to honor and build upon this illustrious legacy
Allow me to briefly outline the exciting lineup of activities for this year’s festival, which promises to engage, inspire, and connect participants across generations.
Day 1, Monday 16th December 2024
* Osugbo Prayers
* Visit to Ijamido Omi Atura
* Rites at Ile Aje (To appease Aje for more prosperous Ottaland)
Day 2, Tuesday 17th December 2024
* Youth Converge (Several activities lined up)
* Visit to Ijamido Motherless Home
* Medical Outreach
Day 3, Wednesday 18th December 2024
* Cultural Day…Egungun, Gelede, Hunter Display, Ewi and Efe at night
Day 4, Thursday, 19th December 2024
Olori Oloruntoyin Obalanlege Annual Kids Party
Awards and Gala Night
Day 5, Friday 20th December 2024
Jumat Service at Otta Central Mosque
Ileya Omo Iganmode (Royal Procession and Reception)
Day 6, Saturday 21st December 2024
Chieftaincy Installation
Grand Finale/Olota Reception
Day 7, Sunday 22nd December 2024
Church Thanksgiving at St. Michael, Igbo Olori Church, Otta.
As we look forward to this year’s festival, I express heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, community leaders, my team (members of the planning committee), all sons and daughters of the ancient Ottaland, particularly the youths and our revered elders, your dedication ensures that our heritage lives on, inspiring future generations.
On behalf of the entire planning committee, I warmly invite everyone to participate in this year’s Iganmode Cultural Festival. Let us come together in the spirit of unity and progress, celebrating the beauty of our culture in the heart of Otta.
Thank you, and may the 2024 Iganmode Cultural Festival be a resounding success!
Kitigbe oOoooo More
