“The theme did not only conceptualize the phenomenon called the Ota kingdom as the unarguable symbol of civilization in Awori land. It stretches further that it is the origin and basis for which civilization in Awori land can be defined” – Olota
The 2023 edition of Odun Omo Iganmode, the most anticipatory Awori annual cultural festival, comes with the theme – Ota, The Cradle of Awori Civilization, and preparation is in top gear to once again churn out yet another historic celebration on the soil of the traditional home of the Aworis.
HRM Prof. Adeyemi Obalanlege, the Olota and Paramount Ruler of ancient Ota, Awori kingdom on Tuesday declared that ‘Ota is home to most Aworis’; both in Ogun and Lagos States as he called on all and sundry, including Awori indigenes from all walks of life to join in celebrating this year edition of the festival.
While addressing newsmen during a press conference held at Oba Isiyemi hall, Ipeti Square to announce plans for 2023 Odun Omo Iganmode, the revered Awori monarch explained that ‘Ota, which is a leading Awori community in both Ogun and Lagos state, is unarguable, the symbol of Awori civilization and unarguably, home to most Aworis’, while listing, ‘industrialization, education, population, political development’, among others.
“I must emphasize the instructiveness of the theme for this year’s event, “Ota, The Cradle of Awori Civilization’”. The theme did not only conceptualize the phenomenon called the Ota kingdom as the unarguable symbol of civilization in Awori land. It stretches further that it is the origin and basis for which civilization in Awori land can be defined.
“The features of civilization include; industrialization, for which Ota kingdom is ranked as having the second largest industrial concentration in Nigeria. Another is political development which distinguishes Professor Banji Akintoye, in his book, ‘A History of Yoruba People’, as one of the three earliest and oldest kingdoms in Yorubaland.
“There is also population, and Ota community in Awori Awori land ranks the largest and most qualitative both in population and demographics respectively. The University recently ranked as the best University in Nigeria, and second best in the whole of West Africa is Covenant University, and it is located here in Ota. In terms of shape, size, strategic importance of its location, the Ota empire is rated highest in the entire Awori land. Therefore, being the cradle of Awori civilization is undisputed, and no other kingdom has done better than what we have done. Simply put, Ota kingdom is the undisputed cradle and champion of civilization in Aworiland”.
Speaking further on the annual cultural event in Ota, Obalanlege said that “Iganmode Cultural Festival is an annual celebration in Ota Kingdom, Ogun State and has stood the test of time, spanning many decades and getting bigger in status, acceptability and recognition”.
He added that the festival has since been listed as a state owned with full participation of the government of Ogun State through the ministry of culture and tourism.
Olota heaped praises on entire members of Ota kingdom for their unflinching support towards the successful planning and staging of the event every year; while expressing confidence in Chief Tayo Idowu’s led committee to outperform previous editions of the event.
The Chairman, 2023 Central Planning Committee and Otun Bobagunwa of Ota, Chief Temitayo Idowu, in his address, said that ‘the event is staged every year in order to serve as tourism avenue for the people, boost the internally generated revenue of the government while also creating synergies among Iganmode descendants across the country’.
He buttressed that ‘the uniqueness of the annual cultural festival is the promotion and exhibition of the exquisite culture and tradition of the Awori people and an avenue to appease the ancestors for continuous growth, guidance, development, stability, peace and tranquility’.
Chief Idowu thanked the Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo ABiodun, MFR for enlisting the event in the state festival calendar, adding that that the event has attracted a lot of ‘would be sponsors and that the committee would announce the major sponsors of this year’s event in due course. .
The committee chairman further rolled out activities for this year’s event as listed below;
Monday, 11th December 2023- Gbedu Dance (6:00am) Osugbo Prayer (7:00am), Aje worship (8:00am). Ijamido Omi Atura Procession (8:00am) Olorisa (10:00am). Ijoko Omoba with Olota (7:00pm).
Tuesday, 12th December 2023- Youth Summit (12:00pm), Visit to Ijamido Motherless Home (3:00pm), Efe/Gelede (11:00pm).
Wednesday, 13th December 2023- Homage to Olota-townships, village settlements, families groups and associations (9:00am). Cultural Display and performances (12:00noon). Igan (Ode) Hunters Procession. Gelede Display, Ewi and Bata. Cultural Dance and Egungun Display.
Thursday, 14th December 2023- Installation of Chiefs.
Friday, 15th December 2023- Juma’at Prayers (1:00pm). IIleya Omo Iganmode (3:00pm).
Saturday, 16th December 2023- Grand finale.
Sunday, 17th December 2023- Thanksgiving ( Proposing a Church at Ijoko Ota/Sango Ota). Youth Carnival
The Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota local government, Hon. Sheriff Musa, SAM 20, in his goodwill message, thanked Olota and the people of Ota for upholding cultural tenets in the local government. He assured of the continuous support of Omoba Dapo Abiodun’s led government for the annual festival.
Prominent among those who graced the event included; HRH Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Lisa of Ota, High Chief Adedayo Akindele Eleku, Iyalode of Ota, High Chief Mrs Rufiat Ojugbele-Mattew, Aro of Ota, High Chief Ezekiel Bamishaiye, Araba of Ota, High Chief (Dr.) Fasola Faniyi, immediate past Chairman of Odun Omo Iganmode and Otun Maiyegun of Ota, Aare Ayodele Bankole, representatives of Iganmode Club, Ota, representatives of Ogun state indigenes in Ghana, among others.
