Hundreds of Owo indigenes in Ondo State recently gathered in St Louis -Missouri, USA, to celebrate their common heritage and pull resources towards health development of their home-land. Taiwo Abiodun, who was at the event, reports.
IT was clearly a joyful affair, as they all exchanged banters, putting aside age, status and political differences to unite to liberate their home land, Owo, in Ondo State, Nigeria from poor health situation. Men and women were all dressed in resplendent white Yoruba traditional attires, with the men adorning caps and traditional mufflers to match. The women too wore their native buba and iro, with headgears to match. In the background, giant hifi speakers blared Owo traditional music.
The occasion was the national convention and medical fund raiser, organised for the ancient town of Owo. The programme titled “Bringing Hope and Health to Owo Kingdom,” by the World Council of Owo Associations, (WOCOA) USA, had sons and daughters of the ancient kingdom across the length and breadth of the United States of America in attendance.
Venue was Hotel Inn, 3400 Rider Trail South , Earth City, St Louis in Missouri, and the deliberation bothered on how to move the ancient tow of Owo forward in terms of providing health facilities and assisting people with medical needs back home.
Presidents of the different chapters that attended include, Femi Obajolu the president of Egbe Omo Owo, Maryland / Washington, Gani Olabode president of Owo Made International Club, Dallas, Olusola Kasali, president Of Owo Association in Houston, Akin Ogunbodede president of Owo Made Progressive Association in New York, Emmanunel Olaleye, president from Atlanta Georgia, and Cecilia Ademisoye head California, Shola Olanitori of Owo Heritage Club in Alabama, Gani Obanigba, president Owo Progressive Association, Missouri.
Prince Wilson Ojomo, who was master of ceremony, said the convention is held every two years and rotated among the cities. The reason for the convention, he said, is “to give back to our society too by assisting them in the health sector. Two years ago we organised African Women Cancer Awareness and brought some medical doctors and nurses from America here to Owo, Ondo State for seven days to treat them, while many surgeries were performed like breast cancer, goiter, hernia, cataract among others. In fact, we rescued many who could have died due to lack of money.”
Continuing, Ojomo said, “We in America try to remember where we came from and we know there are many medical facilities here in America than at home, so we have to give back to our .”
President of Owo Association (St.Louis Chapter), Chief Otunba Gani Obanigba, described the convention as hope, and gave reason for the fund raising. He said, “We know that self-help is the best; we also know that if you do not ask for help, you stand less of a chance of getting it .That is why the fund raising is very important to our members. This 2018 National Convention is meant for Fund raising and bringing Hope and Health to Owo Kingdom”, he said.
The Ondo State governor, Arákùnrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), himself a native of Owo, was special guest of honour. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Gbenga Ale, the governor, in his speech, applauded the initiative. Ale was in company of other government officials like Banji Alabi, Boye Oyewumi and Raimi Olayiwola.
Akeredolu said, “The residents of the kingdom are looking forward to the life-saving mission and it is our prayer that nothing untoward will disrupt your plan. Your overall aims and objectives show that your temporary separation from home has not in any way taken away from you the time-tested, time-hallowed cultural values, ideals and the virtues of a typical Owo person. My idea of an Owo man is that of an individual who is culture-bound and attached to the norms and mores of the land. An Owo man is honest and forthright, open minded and truthful. He is not proud but can be tenacious in expounding the validity and constancy of universal truths…”
The governor added, “The fact that you are raising funds in support of Medicare in Owo this year is in all fours with a cardinal aspect of our programmers in Ondo State, which is Promotion of Accessible and Qualitative Healthcare and Social Service Delivery .The state is committed to making healthcare delivery very fast, affordable and of high standard.”
The Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr.) D.V Folagbade Olateru- Olagbegi III (CFR) was represented by the Atunluse of Owo Kingdom, – Chief Rotimi Ibidapo. In his message, the Olowo said, “I am most delighted seeing Owo indigenes abroad coming together in love and unity, pooling resources together and ready to assist people at home, not minding their hard-earned money. I pray May God continue to enrich your purse and bless you abundantly. You have been making Owo proud, and I am glad. I wish others emulate you. I am glad.”
The Olunaun of Unaun, Oba Olanrewaju Abegunde described the occasion as great. He said, “The news of the programme spread all over Owo and America, thus bringing our children abroad together once again. The programme was adjudged one of the best thing that has ever happened to Owo indigenes in Diaspora.”
Dr. Bode Ogunleye, who was the chief launcher, delivered a lecture on cancer. He said many factors are responsible for cancer. “Last year in Owo, during a medical check-up on our natives, out of 7,000 medical tests carried out on the natives, about 26 people were diagnosed with cancer. The common one is breast cancer among women, though the males also have breast cancer but not as rampant and pronounced as the women.”
Ogunleye therefore counselled that the people “need cancer education; we need to educate the masses, for there is value in detecting it early. That is why we need screening programme.”
The national president of the association, Idris Adeniseun in his address, said “all the sons and daughters of Owo met in LaGrange, Georgia to address the issues and map out lasting peace in the ancient city of Owo. Consequently, all the sons and daughters of Owo in the various associations, clubs and organisations, in our respective local chapters under this umbrella residing in America now extending to Canada, do hereby solemnly resolve and form an organisation known to promote unity, peace and progression in Owo, World Council of Associations, USA. Inc. We believe that collectively, we can contribute more to the goal of developing Owo at a stronger and faster pace than by our individual effort alone. Therefore we affirm to promote the general welfare of our people at home and abroad all over the world.”
Mrs. Kemi Olabode described the occasion as unique and long hoped for. She said, “It is not enough for us to put on our white caps and headgears in the United States of America but we should assist the people at home. I am appealing to other natives here in America to join WOCOA. We don’t gain anything from it but love. Many don’t have parents anymore at home but still contribute to the town because of love. “Modesola Ojomo and Samson Adekunle – Obanigba described the occasion as highly successful. They chorused: “It is a big opportunity to assist the needy. We must rise to the occasion and do all we can to salvage Owo”.
The Atunluse of Owo Kingdom, High Chief Rotimi Ibidapo and his wife, Chief Remilekun Ibidapo donated money to the programme. According to Ibidapo, the occasion is highly expected: “I believe we have to contribute our own quota to our source.
Helen Famuwagun, who is WOCOA Social Secretary said, “We need to assist humanity. We need to contribute to the development of Owo our hometown especially in health.”
In his goodwill message, the Olunaun of Unaun, Prince Lanre Abegunde described the occasion as great, he said “though I could not make it to the United States, I pray for the success of the programme.”
Samson Adekunle, who said he has lived in the USA 30 years, said “whether we like it or not we will still go back home, so why not contribute to the health facilities at home because it is not everybody that has access to medical facilities abroad.”
In support of Adekunle, Gboyega Aruwajoye said “We need not only be assisting people at home financially but also we should build up the health facilities and support them. We cannot leave it for government alone.”
The National Coordinator of ‘Owo is One Movement,’ Chief Akin Aruwajoye said, “We believe that the development of our land and our people requires our collective effort. There is a huge infrastructural deficit to meet modern day living in our area. Government alone will not be able to provide it all. The contribution of all of us is important.”
To complete the homely atmosphere, Owo cultural dance and songs was on display, with Owo children abroad dancing excitedly and members spraying dollars in appreciation.
Among those present at the occasion are American medical doctors, Dr and Mrs Calvin Williams, Mr and Mrs Jimi Adetula who donated generously among others. Others are Mrs. Cathe Abitogun, Mrs. Taiwo Olagbegi-Olora, Prince Modesola Ojomo, Dr. Olayiwola Olagbegi, Bayo Ogunmolawa, Femi Obajolu, Gani Olabode, Emmanuel Olabanji Ogunleye, Kofoworola Osun ( of African Palace ), Chief Gboyega Aruwajoye, Pastor Niyi Aruwajoye, Kehinde Olagbegi-Osikoya, Bayo Ogunmolawa, Femi Obajolu, Mrs. Olayemi Ogunrayeiwa, Pastor Femi Omiye, Ifedayo Kayode, Lobo Agaun, and host of others.