By Lukman Omikunle
The biggest annual cultural festival in Ota Aworiland, Ogun State, the “Odun Omo Iganmode Afeleja” has been scheduled to hold in December.
The 2021 edition which comes with the theme, “Culture: A Module For Sustainable Leadership In Nigeria” will be staged from 13 to December 19 with an unprecedented week-long display of the Awori cultural values and ethics.
The Olota of Ota, Oba (Professor) Adeyemi Obalanlege (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode) during a press conference held at Oba Isiyemi Hall, Olota Palace on Wednesday, noted that every edition of the yearly most anticipated Awori festival comes with laudable emendation.
“Undoubtedly, every “Odun Omo Iganmode Afeleja” comes with great improvements on the previous ones,” Olota stated.
While calling for the support of government and the people of the land for “a successful outing.”, the revered Awori monarch emphasized that the unique festival helps remind natives of the land of “their origin and identity.”
He said, “The festival is to remind our people of their origin and identity, as an essential component for stimulating communal understanding, love, unity and for augmenting steady progress, peace and development of the larger Community.” He also expressed that “Otta Kingdom occupies a very important place in the ecosystem of the State and the country, especially as the Industrial nerve-centre of the economy. That we are the Geese that lay the Golden Egg is not unconnected with our history.”
Also during the press briefing, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the festival, High Chief Aare Ayodele Bankole announced that the festival opens on Monday December 13 with the Osugbo Prayer session, scheduled to hold at the Olota of Ota Palace.
As part of the activities for the festival, Bankole announced that there will be a free Medical Outreach program to cater for the aged and the less privileged members of the ancient town.
“It will be a day-long affair with medical personnel on ground at the palace attending to people needing medical attention.
“Day One will be concluded with a charity visitation to Ijamido Motherless Babies Home.
“Day Two Tuesday, December 14 is our Youth Day. There will be a Youth Summit to give lipid and activate meanings to our central theme; “Culture as a Module for Sustainable Leadership in Nigeria.
“The session intends to educate and inform participants on the significance and synergy between culture, customs and building sustainable leaders for effective leadership roles in the society.
“The day will be wrapped up with a Street Carnival for the Youth,” Bankole stated.
The Committee Chairman while reeling out days and activities for this year’s edition of the festival announced that Day Three of the event, Wednesday, December 15, is the Cultural Day, also to be held at Olota Place Open Ground from 3pm.
Day Four, Thursday December 16, is planned for the installation of new chiefs at the Olota Palace at 10am, when traditional and honorary chieftaincy titles will be bestowed on deserving members of the community< according to Bankole.
“On Day Five Friday December 17, there will be a Special Jumat Service at Ota Central Mosque from 1pm.
“Day Six, Saturday December 18 is for the Grand finale billed to take place at St Michaels/AnsarUdeen Primary school, Ota from 10am.
“Day Seven, Sunday December 19 is for Thanksgiving Service at the Living Faith Tabernacle (Winners Chapel),” he said.
At the press conference include the Ota Awori Kingdom four coronet monarch, members of Olota-in-Council, two-term Ogun State House of Assembly member, Hon. Aina Nurudeen Akinpelu, former Ado-Odo/Ota LG transition Chairman, Hon. Wasiu Lawal, the Chairman Media sub-Committee of the festival, Erelu Adeola Kafayat Orisile, community youth leaders and other notable stakeholders.
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