This year’s Igbemo-Ekiti Day celebration was a watershed in the history of the ancient community. RASAQ IBRAHIM reports the thrills, glitz and glamour that characterised the event.

The rich cultural heritage of Igbemo Ekiti in Ifelodun/Irepodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State was on display on Saturday, November 16, when its sons and daughters gathered to celebrate its rich culture, heritage and tradition.

For several hours on that day, the town was literally shut down as guests and those indigenous to the town at home and in the Diaspora joined residents to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.

The weather was clement; as many who are indigenous to Igbemo-Ekiti and other residents thronged AUD Primary School to celebrate the culture, tradition and progress of the community.

This year’s occasion would always remain indelible in the memories of the residents and guests because of the razzmatazz that was the feature of the day.

There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breathtaking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled guests who had seated before the arrival of the dignitaries.

It was neither a festival of drums nor the anniversary of the king on the throne. It was a day thousands of Igbemo’s sons and daughters from all walks of life within and outside the country gathered to chart a new course for development in the town.

The occasion was also used to take stock of the achievements of their sons and daughters at home and abroad as well as express their gratitude to God for the development of the town.

It was also a show of glamour and opulence, as representatives of Igbera, Hausa and Igbo communities in the town, friends, well-wishers and some prominent indigenes of Ekiti State, participated in the celebration.

The celebration was carnival-like. It was a day they had looked forward to for a long time. Market women, young boys and girls, men and women and the elderly left their daily routines to catch a glimpse of the rich cultural display.

This year’s cultural day, no doubt, attracted a large turnout of illustrious sons and daughters of Igbemo; top government functionaries, captains of industry, high profile personalities and cultural enthusiasts.

There was no dull moment for guests and cultural enthusiasts, as an array of cultural troupes were on ground to add colour to the celebration.

Leading the personalities to the event was the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Jamiu.

Others in attendance included the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Hon. Funminiyi Afuye represented by Hon. Olugboyega Aribisogan, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Olusoga David, Commissioner for Special Duties, Ayodele Jinadu and Hon. Tunde Idowu.

The governor’s presence and those of top government officials, captains of industry and community leaders within and outside the shores of Ekiti added glamour to the celebration.

There was spontaneous jubilation and a rousing joyousness rent the air as Onigbemo of Igbemo-Ekiti Oba Adewumi Daramola, who was colourfully clad in a richly embroidered agbada with his conical-shaped crown on his head made his way into the arena with his wife, Olori Sabainah Daramola.

The Onigbemo appreciated the presence of everyone who attended the event, especially Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Oba Daramola thanked Governor Fayemi for his tremendous efforts at effecting rapid development in every nook and cranny of the state and in Igbemo-Ekiti in particular.

He revealed that since his ascension to the throne in 2015, the town has been witnessing steady progress in terms of infrastructure, basic social amenities, economic and educational development.

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He commended prominent Igbemo’s sons and daughters for their invaluable contributions to the sustainable growth and development of the town.

He, however, called on his subject and non-indigenes from within and outside Nigeria to invest in his domain, noting that the community is abundantly blessed with natural and minerals resources.

“The development and growth of our town should be a task for all indigenes both at home and in the Diaspora.

“I call on investors to explore the various agriculture opportunities, especially Igbemo Rice by siting rice industries which will boost the economy of the town, create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and in the long run effect developmental changes.

“My people cannot thank you enough, Mr. Governor. You have been helpful always and we pray that God will continue to support and bless you.

“I appeal to all sons and daughters of this noble town to support the Fayemi-led administration in his good deeds during his first term.

Fayemi, represented by Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, said Oba Daramola’s ascension to the throne has brought hope to the community with all indicators of socio-economic growth and development markedly improving.

The governor revealed that the monarch has demonstrated exemplary leadership style in piloting the traditional affairs of the town for the betterment of its people.

Fayemi promised to be supportive of any developmental agenda of the community targeted at improving the living standard of residents.

Fayemi explained that projects are being carried out in the community, promising that Igbemo-Ikoyi, Igbemo-Ijan Road will be fixed to make life easier for residents.

He called on the people of the community to explore various entrepreneurial programmes and other initiatives of his administration to become self-reliant and self-employed.

The National President of Igbemo General Assembly (IGA), Chief Bola Olowosejeje, praised the various projects initiated by the Fayemi administration in the town.

He urged the governor to give more Igbemo’s sons and daughters political appointments to enable them to contribute to the development of the state.

Olowosejeje also called on Fayemi to promote Oba Daramola to the next cadre of the traditional rulers, saying the monarch is long overdue for promotion.

He enjoined those who have the penchant to stay away from home for too long to turn a new leaf, saying: “the town is moving forward and is not waiting for anybody. It is a privilege for all to be part of the developmental change.

“The development of Igbemo-Ekiti should be uppermost on our minds as indigenes. I urge all sons and daughters of this community to contribute to the development of the town and Ekiti at large.”