For the people of Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South Council Area of Delta State, an annual carnival brings the people together from the Diaspora, affording them the opportunity to socialise.
The Ogwashi-Uku carnival, a three-day fiesta, parades carnival float procession, cultural dances, musical concert, fashion shows, dinner party, quiz competition, talent hunt and display targeted at the progress and development of the community.
According to its director of operations, Uche Nwulu, the Ogwashi-Uku carnival, which started in December 2010, is celebrated every December, specifically from Christmas Day, and serves as a springboard for tourist attraction and investment to potential development in Ogwashi-Uku, which he said was the dream of the initiator and president of the dance carnival, Anthonia Oguah.
With consistency and the right sponsorship, Nwulu said, Ogwashi-Uku carnival would reach its zenith in no distant time. According to him, the sixth edition of the fiesta would commence on Christmas Eve with a road show and paying of homage to various clans.
The carnival proper, he said, will be on Christmas Day with a cultural extravaganza and will be rounded off on Boxing Day with Olobo Masquerade Festival and a reunion dinner and awards party.
Nwulu lauded MTN, one of the sponsors of the festival, for throwing its weight behind the 2015 edition of the festival.
He also thanked Leadership Newspapers, Hero Beer, Chivita, Guinness Nigeria PLC, Flour Mills, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), 7UP Bottling Company, Goge Africa, Bellanaija.com, The Nation and Thisday Newspapers, as well as Airtel Nigeria for supporting the event.
The maiden edition of Taste of Lagos ‘the original’, a national template for bringing stakeholders in the food industry together to celebrate indigenous foods, will make its debut at the National Stadium, Lagos from December 2 to 5 .
The Chief Consultant of Iconic Events Ltd, Mr Abiodun Fagbohun, organisers of the event, described Taste of Lagos ‘the Original’ as a concept modelled after popular annual global taste festivals, stressing that the essence of the festival is to bring together the indigenous foods that reflect the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos.
“We conceptualised Taste of Lagos as the first of our pan-Nigerian initiative to popularise the rich food and beverage culture of our nation as well as help to reinforce the visibility of every state of the federation on the world tourism map,” he said, adding: “It is when we embrace programmes like this to appreciate our foods that our farmers will be encouraged to produce more and the economy will be the better for it.”
Fagbohun said the week-long Taste of Lagos will avail food producers and manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their products and give Nigerians enough reasons to patronise them.
“Special features of the event include ‘celebrity kitchen’ where popular entertainment personalities would test their culinary prowess. About 200 secondary school pupils would also be hosted as special guests every day to enable them appreciate the richness of Nigerian foods. Nutrition experts will also be on hand to share knowledge on the nutritional values of indigenous foods,” he said.
He said the concept of Taste of Lagos was introduced to the Lagos State government in 2005, following which Iconic Events Ltd registered the rights nationwide in keeping with global standards of the event.
“We have the original rights to stage this event in Nigeria because the taste concept has a universal template that must be followed,” Fagbohun said
He further explained that Taste of Lagos and others that would go across the country in 2016, will be targeted at reviving the indigenous food culture in Nigeria as well as avoiding potential loss of huge domestic and foreign earning from tourism.
“The more we move away from our food culture, the more we move away from what nature has endowed us with and in the next 20 years, we stand the danger of not finding local delicacies on family food menus,” he said.
Statutory bodies in charge of foods and standards are expected at the Taste of Lagos food fair, which will be livened up with music and dance performances from across Lagos and Nigeria.
EVER since the Nollywood phenomenon attained brand status, Nigeria has evolved ideas meant to provide a rallying point for filmmakers; the most potentially viable being a film festival. Aside from the glamour that resonates with the stars whose films are being shown at these festivals, the initiative provides a platform for thought-provoking discourses, select screenings, master classes and collaborations.
Although there are so many film events in Nigeria pretending to be film festivals, AFRIFF, in just five years, has given that realistic demeanour. And with consistency, it could match and surpass the present status of age-long Pan African Film Festival (FESPACO) in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso and Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), South Africa.
As AFRIFF returns with a prospective fifth edition from November 8 to 15, showcasing about 180 films at three notable cinemas – Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Genesis Duluxe Cinema, Lekki, and City Mall Cinema, Onikan – it is another opportunity for film professionals to keep a date with progress. Film journalists too, for the first time will share in the experience, not just as spectators and reporters, but as participants in a series of workshops that will improve their reportorial skills, and launch them into the world of international film critics.
Interestingly, Chioma Ude, the festival’s Founder/CEO is into collaborations that work. And that to me means a lot for the future of a non-commercial venture of this nature. Having just sponsored several young African talents to different film schools in the United States through strategic partnerships, the festival returns with support from social responsibility-inclined organisations and developmental agencies such as Africa Magic, Ford Foundation, Desicon and Afrinolly.
For the weeklong event, delegates will be exposed to updated knowledge in the art of cinematography, screenwriting, acting, film critiquing, piracy, co-productions, and production designs among others.
With about 139 films in competition, the actors and filmmakers will share in the spotlight of a closing ceremony that rewards excellence. The glory of the night will not just be about the plaques and prize money, but a testament of the best from the year in review, coming from high profile jurors such as Pedro Pimenta, the new festival director of Durban International Film Festival (DIFF); Serge-Armand Kouami Noukoue, co-founder and Executive Director of NollywoodWeek Paris; Soheir Abdel Kader, director of the Cairo International Film Festival; Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi, a Professor of Broadcasting and Film, Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan; Asha Lovelace, one of the Caribbean’s most significant voices in the development of film production and lecturer of Film Production and Film Studies at the University of the West Indies; Teddy Mattera, a Film and Television Producer in South Africa, CEO of Dungamanzi Films and Carnegie Fellow at Wits University; Dr Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika; an Associate Professor and currently heads the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos.
If there is a best way to start and end a film festival, the choice of opening and closing films is a factor. AFRIFF’s highlights this year include Jonas Carpignano’s Mediterranea, as the opening film, while Road To Yesterday, the highly anticipated feature film debut by Nollywood diva, Genevieve Nnaji, will close the festival. Among other top films from Africa and the Diaspora will be Ayanda, a South African film featuring our own OC Ukeje, with a special screening during the South African Day at the festival.
Bank of Industry (BoI), which today is most disposed to the business of Nollywood and the creative industry in general will also make itself available to interact with filmmakers on how best they can partner the bank through single digit loans. The informal session with the bank’s officials, I am told, will be in form of Meet and Greet.
Now, there is what is called the AFRIFF massage after each day of panel discussions, workshops and film screenings: the is the AFRIFF Party with Jean Claude Havyarimana, the master planner and AFRIFF’s Head, Special Events. That organisers of DIFF had invited AFRIFF to South Africa, asking its team to help with a Nigerian party recently, says a lot about that desirable level of networking which filmmakers need in a more relax atmosphere.
With the coming event, some of the wonderful Lagos sights at night will bring the fun memories of the AFRIFF Village Hangouts, music, foods and drinks in Calabar, Cross River State and other private parties being sponsored by corporate organisations.
AFRIFF prides itself with man and material resources that give it the structure lacking in other film festivals in Nigeria. And I think that every state in Nigeria needs the festival as part of their tourism drive. Through AFRIFF, Africa and the outside world have come to know about oil city Port Harcourt, pomp and historical splendour of Calabar and Nigeria’s commercial nerve and entertainment centre, Lagos.
Victoria Island, Marina and Lekki will be lighted again with the glitz of an early Christmas this November, as AFRIFF’s fifth edition inches close.
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, lawmakers and businessman Aliko Dangote are among dignitaries expected at the Oronna Ilaro Festival with the theme: “Festival of Achievement”.
The weeklong festival from November 14 to 22 will culminate in a grand finale on November 21 at Asade Agunloye Pavilion, Empire Field, Ilaro- Yewa.
The Chairman of the planning committee, Kayode Odunaro, said the over two decades annual cultural festival was endorsed by the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in 2012.
“It is celebrated in honour of the legendary warrior, Oronna, and a unifying developmental platform for the display of cultural practices of Ilaro and Yewa people.
Highlights of the festival include road show/street carnival, tributes to Oronna and other deities, Egungun and Gelede Masquerade display, Sisi Ilaro cultural beauty pageant, Poosu Night in celebration of food tourism and the all-white attire Onigba Aje ceremony.
Others are a three day medical checkup programme, Festival 50 Kilometer race, jumat and thanksgiving service as well as the grand finale where over 70 clubs and societies will pay homage to the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.
By hosting the 2015 Yam Roasting Festival, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Olusola Oyewole, said the institution was promoting Town/Gown community relations.
He said hosting the festival, held at the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS) premises, was in line with the institution’s mandate of going beyond training students to community development.
He also said using DUFARMS as venue was strategic as it would help the university promote its other crops. The VC also thanked a philanthropist, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, for supporting the resuscitation of the festival in 2012.
Osunkeye, who is also the Chairman, Board of Directors, Nestle Nigeria Plc, said he was passionate about the university and what it stood for. He charged the university to explore the possibility of using drones and diplomacy to check encroachment on its farmlands. In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, called for better collaboration between FUNAAB and its host communities and industries.
The rich cultural heritage of the Igbo was on display on October 10 as Igbo community in Lagos celebrated this year’s New Yam Festival. CHINAKA OKORO was there.
For several hours on Saturday, October 10, guests from far and near joined Ndigbo in Lagos to celebrate this year’s New Yam Festival.
The Nwachukwu Drive, venue of the event, was literally shut as huge crowd made their way to the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.
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 all glamour and show of opulence, as an estimated crowd of 10,000 that included members of Ndigbo in Lagos, friends, well-wishers and some prominent indigenes of Lagos State, participated in the celebration of the long-standing cultural carnival for which the Igbo are known. The weather was clement as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.
As early as noon that day, the spacious Igbo Community Centre which was built primarily for the festival and where Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu hold-sway had begun to witness massive influx of spectators.
There was a spontaneous jubilation and a loud ovation rent the air as Eze NdigboGburugburu and leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike made his way into the arena with a retinue of his unarmed security men who wore all-black attire.
The roomy Igbo Centre was largely suffused with beautifully coloured masquerades and traditional dancers who entertained the people. Gaily dressed Igbo women known for their panache and active social lifestyle were a marvel to behold. The men equally in their beautiful Igbo attire swirled to the suiting rhythm of drums and other musical instruments in that somewhat balmy afternoon. It was a gathering of who is who in Igbo land.
Commenting on the significance of the day and the place of yam in Igbo culture and tradition, the chairman on the occasion, His Excellency Cliff Nzeruem went down memory lane on how the festival began.
Chief Nzeruem, who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Hotel Ibis Royale, said: “An old Igbo myth records that during a severe famine, Igbo (from whom the tribe takes its name) was told that he must sacrifice his son, Ahiajoku, and his daughter, Ada, in order to save his other children. Obeying the instruction, he sacrificed his first son (Opara) and his first daughter (Ada).
“After they were killed, their flesh was cut into pieces and buried in several different mounds. A few days later, yams sprouted from the flesh of Ahiajoku, while coco yams sprouted from the flesh of Ada. Igbo and his other children survived the famine by eating them. Since then, the spirit of Ahiajoku became the god of yam.
The myth of Ahiajoku is re-enacted during the New Yam Festival each year. Each household places four or eight new yams on the ground near a shrine. After saying some prayers, he cuts small portions off from each end of the yams to symbolise the sacrifice of Ahiajoku.
“The yams are then cooked with palm oil, water, and chicken to make a dish that symbolises the body and blood of Ahiajoku. The Igbo people consider the yam to be so sacred that at one time, anyone caught stealing it would be put to death. Today, such thieves are banished.”
Continuing, he said: “We are here today to give thanks to God for giving us a bountiful harvest this year. The harvest is not only in terms of farm yields, but also in terms of life, good health and progress. As we gather to celebrate today, peace and celebration of good things will be the portion of Ndigbo in particular and Nigerians in general.
Congratulating the Igbo community in Lagos on the event of their New Yam Festival, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said she will always identify with the Igbo because of their industry.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Mrs. Omolola Essien, Senator Tinubu said the celebration of new yam festival by the Igbo in Lagos indicates that they are rooted in the culture and tradition of their society.
She noted that the Igbo exhibit the spirit of oneness and unity which Nigeria needs by making anywhere they find themselves their homes and contribute immensely to the socio-economic and political development of their host communities. She enjoined every Nigerian to embrace unity for peace and harmony to reign in our country.
This, she said, will engender the much-needed united Nigeria in which everywhere is home for all despite where one comes from.
Senator Tinubu, who holds the traditional title of Ezinne Ndigbo, urged all Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to succeed in giving Nigerians and Lagosians good governance.
Speaker after speaker described Senator Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who loves Ndigbo and renders assistance to them when necessary. Chief Nzeruem narrated how Senator Tinubu was of assistance to stranded air travellers at Abuja Airport whose flights were cancelled. “She”, he said, “walked into the Departure Hall and invited those going to Lagos to join her in her private jet; without minding who you are or where you come from. It takes a mother and a humble person to do that.”
In his speech, Dim Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the Ijele Ndigbo and Eze Igbo Gburugburu expressed his happiness identifying with his people. He said celebration of new yam was a tradition handed over to us by our forefathers. It is a festival that unites all Igbo.
Urging Ndigbo not to be afraid wherever they are, he said they should ensure they are law-abiding and respect constituted authority of their host communities.
Differing from Chief Nzeruem’s position that an Igbo appointed into the cabinet of any government outside Igbo land is a privilege and not a right, the MASSOB leader noted that “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not recognise indigeneship. Every Nigerian has a right wherever he or she resides. That is what is in the constitution.”
He urged Ndigbo to strive to be at peace with their neighbours wherever they reside, adding that they should not be afraid of anybody as far as they are law-abiding citizens of Nigeria.
He said: “I love to come and identify with you in order to give you courage, the confidence that nothing will happen to you. Nigeria cannot do without the Igbo. In each state of Nigeria, the Igbo are the second largest group in every city.
“It may not be possible for the Igbo to speak with one voice because they are from a great tribe, what matters is the voice of the majority.”
Earlier, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State and Co-ordinator/Igbo Mobilise in APC, Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu said the new yam festival or Iri ji is one of the significant cultural events in Igbo land. He added that the event provides the Igbo man the opportunity to thank God for bumper harvest in yam and other farm varieties.
“In Igbo land, men plant yam while women plant cassava and cocoa-yam and so on. As man is the head of the family, so is yam the head of everything in the farm in Igbo land.
“For the Igbo man, the new yam festival day is symbolic in the sense that it is a day of enjoyment after the cultivation season, and the plenty is shared with friends and well-wishers. A variety of festivities mark the eating of new yam. Folk dances, masquerades, parades and parties create some joyful experiences for the participants,” he said.
High point of the event was the cutting and eating of tubers of roasted yam by participants.
•Representative of Senator Tinubu, Mrs Omolola Essien, eats the new yam.
Dignitaries at the event were Executive Secretary of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Alhaji Segun Jubril; the Ideh of Ite-Owerri, Prince A. W. Lams Nwizu; Chief Cliff Nzeruem; MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike; ministerial nomiee Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who was represented by Hon. Chief Ajayi Nicholas; Apostle Chris Ezegbu; Chairman Igbo Community Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, Hon. Tony Ofoegbu; Chief Anslem Udoka; Pastor Ndubuisi Nwachukwu; Peter Osuji; First President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief John Uche; National Coordinator Greenfield Traders of Nigeria, Mrs Evelyn Okere; President-General Market women and men Association of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo who was represented by a group of Iyalojas and the Executive Secretary, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area Mrs Omolola Essien who represented Senator (Mrs) Tinubu.
Afa community in Okeagbe, headquarters of Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State, will celebrate the second Agba festival from Thursday till Sunday.
A statement by the secretary of Agba festival, Ayo Ogedengbe, said the festival was inaugurated last year by the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Oladunjoye Fajana to celebrate the first Ajana of Afa, Oba Agba.
It is also to usher in the new yam and launch an appeal fund for specific projects, the major of which is to construct a befitting palace.
There will be environmental sanitation in the community and the central market on Thursday morning. In the afternoon, two age groups, Oyere and Origbo, will play a novelty match at Ajuwa Grammar School.
On Friday, Dr. Sola Aliu and Mr. Tunde Bello will deliver lectures on entrepreneurial skills for the socio-economic and political development of the community. In the afternoon, a Jumat service will hold at the central mosque. Fire works and asun night hold at Ajana palace grounds from 8pm.
On Saturday, the Ajana, in company of the community, will perform a traditional dance, blessing and eating of the new yam, launching of palace appeal fund, a raffle draw and installation of Dr. Bada as the Sarede of Iloro, Afa-Okeagbe.
The festival will be rounded off on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Ayo, Odooko, Afa, Okeagbe at 10am.
The rich cultural heritage of the people of Ijebu-Ode was on display penultimate Saturday, as the community marks this year’s Ojude Oba Festival. ERNEST NWOKOLO reports
For several hours penultimate Saturday, Ijebu-Ode, the royal home of the Awujale of Ijebu land, Ogun State was lively. Guests from far and near joined residents to celebrate this year’s Ojude Oba Festival.
The town was literally shut down as huge crowd of residents made their way to the palace of Awujale to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.
There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breathtaking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled guests that had seated before the arrival of the dignitaries.
It was all glamour and show of opulence, as an estimated crowd of 45,000 that included residents, friends, well-wishers and tourists, participated in the celebration of the over 100-year-old Ojude Oba carnival.
The festival provided the opportunity for indigenes to pay homage to the paramount ruler of Ijebu-Ode, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba 11, who is often referred to as Orisha Ijebu (the god or Oracle of the Ijebu nation) by his subjects.
•One of the Regberegbe
As early as 9:30 a.m. that day, the mini-stadium-like precincts built by Ijebu citizens primarily for the festival started witnessing massive influx of spectators and various age grades (the regberegbes). At noon, more crowd had gathered at the Awujale archway.
As if the areas were not enough to accommodate the surging crowd, the spectators literally took over Folagbade and the adjoining streets as well as the Itoro; the headquarters of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area.
At one end of the arcade were Oba Adetona, his Special Guest of Honour, Senator Daisy Ehanire Danjuma and the monarch’s wife, Olori Kemi Adetona. Also seated near the monarch was the Acting Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga.
Local drummers and entertainers in their various groups were available to thrill guests for no fixed price. Within the arcade, different age groups who dressed in various appealing colours competed for attention. Their mode of dressing revealed the rich cultural heritage, success, wealth and enterprising spirit of the Ijebu people.
By 10: 30 a.m., the regberegbes had started paying homage to the Awujale, Oba Adetona, who equally poured immeasurable royal blessings on them.
First to perform the rite with rythmic Ijebu dance step were the Egbe Mafowokun Age Grade to which Senator Biyi Durojaiye belongs and Oba Shafi Agbolade Sule of Odosenlu Kingdom as their head.
The Egbe Mafowokun Age Grade, to which the Awujale belongs, is well known for always adorning thick fabric of ox-blood colour with bold stripes. This year, however, the group wore deep grey colour fabric.
No fewer than 25 age grades paid homage to the paramount ruler, followed by corporate organisations. Globacom that has been the official sponsor of Ojude Oba for a decade running took the lead.
The major signpost of this year’s Ojude Oba was the engaging dance steps of the various male and female regberegbes age grades. They danced round the palace arena in healthy competition; as each group tried to outdo the others in dressing, show of affluence, success and entrepreneurial spirit.
There were about 36 regberegbes in Ijebu land and over 25 of them were present to pay homage to their spiritual head, who, in turn gives them his royal blessings. Some of them included the Egbe Arobayo (female), Egbe Gbobaniyi (Obinrin Olori), Egbe Jagunmolu (Obinrin), Egbe Obafuwaji (male), Egbe Obaleke, Egbe Jagunmolu Akile, Egbe Bobaniyi (male) in which former chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, Mufutau Oseni, is the Giwa, among others.
The glamour and carnival in Ojude Oba took an exciting dimension by noon with the gallant parade of the Baloguns and Eleshins of Ijebu land. These are the descendants of Ijebu war heroes who executed wars and gained major victories for them during the war-torn era of Yoruba history.
Among them were Balogun Odunnuga, Balogun Bello Odueyungbo Kuku, Balogun Agboola Alausa, Balogun Alatishe, Balogun Otubu, Balogun Adesoye, Balogun Odejayi, Balogun Adesoye Onasanya, Balogun Towobola, Balogun Aregbesola and Balogun Ajibike Odedina.
The horse riding Baloguns
Others were Balogun Sarunmi, Balogun Areagba, Eleshin Keregbetu family, Eleshin Oyewole family and Eleshin Josi family. They took their turns to ride triumphantly into the palace on horseback in the fashion of soldiers returning from a successful military campaign.
The colourful parade in succession was accompanied by disorderly and intermittent booming of dane guns as each family of the Baloguns and Eleshins took turns to pay homage to Oba Adetona who, in turn, blessed them in Ijebu dialect.
Ojude Oba, which was a Muslim religious affair in Yoruba land took a firm root in Ijebu with the settlement of the first convert to Islam in Ijebu-Ode during the reign of Awujale Adesimbo Tunwase around 1889. During the period and up to the time of Oba Adeona Fusigboye (1906), horse riding was not an integral part of the festival.
But horse riding became part of it during the reign of the duo of Oba Adenuga Folagbade and Oba Adesanya. The festival took a glamorous dimension when Oba Sikiru Adetona mounted the throne over five decades ago. Since then, the festival has been accorded national and international recognition.
This year, many of the horse riders, particularly those from Keregbetu family of Baloguns displayed their expertise to the excitement of all. Many notable Ijebu sons have suggested that horse riders should be allowed enough time to display their prowess during future celebration of Ojude Oba Festival.
Yearly, the Ojude Oba Festival attracts tourists from within and outside Nigeria. The theme of this year’s festival was “Harnessing our Cultural Heritage for Economic Development.”
Hospitality industry received a boost as many tourists visited various tourists’ sites in the area while the celebration lasted. An estimated N50 million worth of businesses were transacted during the event. Such businesses included catering services, printing, rentals, artists on display, hoteliers, transporters, tailors and hawkers of souvenirs, among others. Firms such as Globacom and others used the festival as a showcase for their products and services.
In his message, Oba Adetona praised his people for the peaceful celebration of Ojude Oba which draws Ijebu sons and daughters home to discuss issues of development and peace in Ijebu land.
Expectedly, the indigenes used the event to further agitate for the creation of Ijebu State to be carved out from the present Ogun State. Oba Adetona commended the chairman of Globacom, Otunba Mike Adenuga for not only sponsoring the festival for the 10th year running, but also for being change agent that has positively affected all facets of life in Nigeria.
“Globacom’s sponsorship of Ojude Oba Festival has raised it to an enviable tourists’ delight which attracts people from all walks of life and from other parts of the country.
“Through Adenuga, thousands of jobless people now have means of sustenance. He has greatly enhanced the economy of the country through his business ventures which have grown and extended to other parts of the world.
“Globacom has, through its innovative technological edge, become the leader in the telecoms market in Nigeria and since Globacom undertook to be the main sponsor of the festival 10 years ago, we have been going up and up, better and better,” Adetona said.
The Special Guest of Honour and Vice-Chairman, South Atlantic Petroleum, Senator Danjuma, who had her secondary education in Ijebu-Ode, said Ojude Oba is a symbol of national unity, religious tolerance and harmony.
Mrs Danjuma praised Globacom for its support for culture and tradition exhibited through its partnership with organisers of cultural events across the country.
For Deputy Governor, Mrs Onanuga who represented Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the event, OjudeOba does not only serve as a showcase for the rich cultural heritage of the Ijebu people, but has also placed Ijebu nation, Ogun State and Nigeria on a global map.
Contributing, Dr Adenuga described Ojude Oba as a social melting pot where all divergent issues affecting the lives of the people are discussed and where sons and daughters of Ijebu land both at home and in the Diaspora regard themselves as active players in the socio-economic development of Ijebu land.
According to him, Globacom is mindful of the importance of the festival to the cultural and religious well-being of the people of Ijebu land, hence, its commitment to its sponsorship.
In this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, Globacom gave cash prizes to some age groups whose performances impressed Oba Adetona at the fiesta.
While Egbe Bobaejeye (female Double T) won N500,000 as best regberegbe in the female category, Egbe Gbobaniyi Obinrin Olori and Egbe Jagunmolu Obinrin came second and third and went home with N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
In the male category, Egbe Obafuwaji came tops winning N500,000 while Egbe Jagunmolu Akile and Egbe Obaleke took the second and third positions; winning N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
Some dignitaries that attended the event were Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, ex-governor of Bayelsa State, Diepriye Alamieseigha, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Prince Suraj Adekumbi, former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, among others.
The rich cultural heritage of the people of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, was on display on Saturday, August 29, as the community marked this year’s Udiroko Festival. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports
For several hours on Saturday, August 29, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, was in festive mood as guests from far and near joined residents to celebrate this year’s Udiroko Festival.
The town was literally shut down as a huge crowd of residents made their way to the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.
There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breathtaking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled the guests who had seated before the arrival of the dignitaries.
The Udiroko Festival marks the beginning of a New Year in the Ado-Ekiti traditional calendar during which indigenes gather at the palace of the Ewi to offer supplications for the favour of the Almighty and to deliberate on issues affecting the development of the town.
Indigenes of Ado-Ekiti, various ethnic nationalities, interest groups, quarter chiefs, traditional chiefs, queens, indigenous war chiefs, age groups, market men and women and politicians from all walks of life pay homage to the monarch.
•Governor Fayose (left) Oba Adejugbe and Olori Bosede
This year’s edition of the festival was different from the previous ones as the Ekiti State Government, led by Governor Ayo Fayose played a pivotal role in adding colour to the occasion by majorly sponsoring the event.
Fayose had mounted huge billboards in many parts of Ado-Ekiti to raise people’s awareness and personally going on air to invite residents to the festival.
The governor was joined at the festival by other dignitaries, including his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki, Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Adewumi; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Modupe Alade; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, Chairman, Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Idowu Faleye; Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Senator Bode Ola and the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye.
Others were the Vice-Chancellor of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Prof. Saminu Abulrahman Ibrahim; the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Taiwo Akande; Provost, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Prof. Francesca Aladejana; Director-General, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Sola Omole, state legislators, council chairmen and board chairmen.
It was a culmination of a week-long activities which commenced with prayers at the palace of Ewi on Monday, public lecture on Tuesday, health seminar on Wednesday, homage by artisans, market women and other professionals on Thursday, final of the Ewi Cup Football Competition and Draught and Ayo Olopon on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, Fayose inaugurated the Palace Hall financed by his administration in its contribution to making more facilities available at the complex.
Barely 24 hours to the D-Day, the excitement in the air had reached its climax and was temporarily put on hold by the conduct of the monthly environmental sanitation between the hours of seven and 10 in the morning of Saturday.
As the sanitation exercise was concluded at 10:00 a.m., enthusiastic indigenes and other residents started making their way to the palace to witness the festival.
Courtesy of Fayose, this year’s Udiroko Festival was transmitted live on the Africa Independent Television (AIT) and the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES).
Obey
Music legend, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey added colour to the festival with his evergreen songs while other local musicians dotted the palace grounds entertaining crowds at various designated points.
Fayose later moved to Obey’s bandstand where he danced enthusiastically to the tunes dished out by the septuagenarian musician.
Aspirants jostling for positions in the forthcoming local government elections also used the Udiroko Festival to market their ambitions as the palace square was adorned with various campaign banners and posters.
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, who wore a special crown for the occasion, beamed with smiles as he received homage from various segments of the population.
The Ado-Ekiti king, who was joined on the dais by his consort, the Eyesorun, Olori Margaret Bosede Adejugbe and Fayose, waved the royal horsetail (irukere) in appreciation of the obeisance paid to him by his subjects.
Groups that took their turns to pay homage to the Ewi included the Oloris (palace queens), the Omo Owas (princes and princesses), Iyalojas and Iyalajes (market chiefs), the Elegbes (traditional war chiefs), the Efas (traditional police) and the Bafon (traditional generalissimo) who was followed by the traditional troops.
•The Elegbes (Ado-Ekiti traditional war chiefs) on their way to pay homage to the Ewi
The President of Ado-Ekiti Progressive Union (APU), Chief Obafemi Ojo, praised the various projects initiated by the Fayose administration in the town.
He also urged the governor to give more Ado sons and daughters political appointments to enable them to contribute to the development of the state.
The chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, Alhaji Dauda Ajise, explained that Fayose’s contribution to the development of the town would remain indelible.
Ajise said the Governor, within the short time of his second stint in power, has beautified the town and executed projects such as roads and drainage, among others.
Founder and President of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, who was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Michael Ajisafe, donated N10 million towards the completion of the projects going on in the palace.
Fayose, who defied protocol by prostrating before Ewi said he decided to contribute immensely to the success of this year’s Udiroko Festival because of the huge electoral support he received from the people of Ado-Ekiti at the June 21, last year governorship election.
He explained that he couldn’t ignore or neglect a community that gave him over 50,000 votes which played a key role in swinging electoral victory in his favour, saying no governor can afford to joke with the people of Ado-Ekiti.
Fayose also used the opportunity to explain the projects being carried out in the community, promising to build and complete a new Etekesan Market before next year’s Udiroko Festival.
Extolling the virtues of the Ewi, Governor Fayose promised to continue to accord the royal father the respect he deserves and work closely with him to develop the kingdom and give it what is due as the capital of the state.
Fayose said: “Kabiyesi, we are proud of you and I am proud to be called the Governor of Ekiti State under your monarchy. When it is good, there are forces behind it and you are the force behind Ado-Ekiti.
“Your reign has witnessed unprecedented development and under my government, we are about to start. Last year, I was here as governor-elect but today as the olori oko patapata of Ekiti State.
“I want to build the new Ado Market, which will be more beautiful than the Tejuoso Market in Lagos. By this time next year, you will join me to inaugurate the project. I want to put a flyover in Ado-Ekiti.
“In less than two months from now, we would have completed this amphitheatre and by the time I leave, no governor will have any project to do in this palace again.
“Next year’s Udiroko Festival will be greater than this year’s. They used to bring small musicians here before but this year, I brought Ebenezer Obey here but next year, I will bring both Obey and Sunny Ade.”
In his address, the Ewi, Oba Adejugbe described this year’s Udiroko Festival as “the best arrangement in the past 25 years despite the fact that it used to be celebrated with kola nuts in the past”.
He expressed satisfaction that Udiroko Festival now competes favourably with prominent traditional festivals such as the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State, the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State and the Osun Osogbo Festival in Osogbo, Osun State.
The traditional ruler paid tributes to ABUAD Chancellor, Aare Babalola who holds the title of Fiwagboye of Ado-Ekiti.
The Ewi expressed concern over the activities of hoodlums popularly known as Area Boys and land grabbers known in local parlance as the Omo Oniles; urging the government and security agencies to clamp down on them to allow law-abiding residents go about their normal businesses without molestation.
Oba Adejugbe further said: “Governor Fayose, you are doing well and I want you to continue doing your good works. If dividends of democracy get to the people, they don’t care who is in power.
“I urge all sons and daughters of Ado-Ekiti to support the government of the day and I appeal to the governor to do more for citizens of Ado-Ekiti and Ekiti State.
“I also appeal to all sons and daughters of Ado-Ekiti all over the world to assist the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).
In what portends a relief from fear of pirates, eight Nollywood filmmakers have produced movies exclusively for the popular Africa Magic channel on DStv.
The productions, which would not go through the usual distribution framework, are made for television, and will feature on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151) every weekend throughout September, 2015, with the first title scheduled to show on Saturday, September 5 at 22:15 CAT.
There are strong indications that Multichoice is expanding its synergy with the Nigerian movie industry with the blockbuster movies, having just unveiled a television series, Do-Good, staring Kate Henshaw and Basorge Tariah Jr.
In September, lovers of entertainment will be treated to a month of exclusive new movies featuring the biggest Nollywood stars as Africa Magic kicks off its Original Blockbuster Festival, which the company says is in line with its mission of providing entertainment for Africa by Africans.
The eight films which were unveiled at the Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, last Friday include Red Card by Zik Zulu; Carpe Diem by Desmond Elliot; Love Struc by Obi Emelonye; Amiabl by Stanlee Ohikhuare; Merciful by Zeb Ejiro; Dowry Man by Desmond Elliot; After the I Dos by illian Amah; and Subterfuge.
The films feature popular faces such as Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva, Patrick Doyle, Ini Edo, Monalisa Chinda, A.Y Makun, Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Nonso Diobi and Ufoma McDermott among others.
Speaking at the event, Regional Director, M-Net (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said: “Africa Magic remains at the forefront of not only showcasing quality indigenous entertainment for Africa and the rest of the world, but also in developing world class content. Our Original Blockbusters initiative is part of our ongoing investment drive in the Nigerian film and television industry, and we have partnered with renowned actors, directors and producers to give our viewers a truly memorable September.”
She said “Nollywood remains at the centre of entertainment not just in Nigeria, but across West Africa and indeed the rest of the continent. Our relationship with the finest talents in the film and television industry not only ensures that our viewers are continuously spoilt for choice, but also ensures that the industry continues the rapid development for which it is renowned for.”
