The
Ekimogun festival of Ondo Kingdom is a day set aside when all Ondo
indigenes return to their home town to celebrate their heritage.
Since its inauguration on May 30, 1987, every Ekimogun Day had fit in
into international calendar, recognised worldwide, as a festival worthy
of adulation. For this reason, its silver jubilee celebration, this
year, precisely on December, 1 2012, had all the trappings of a ceremony
like never before.
Across Ondo State, residents were in a joyous mood, and this was
obvious because of the massive home coming of the sons and daughters of
Ondo from all parts of Nigeria and the world, to celebrate their
heritage with the host of the festival, the Osemawe of Ondo kingdom, Oba
Adesimbo Kiladejo, Jillo III, the Osemawe-in-council and the Ondo
Development Committee (ODC).
Prior to the day, the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, had
assured the people of Ondo community of his administration’s readiness
to lend support to the successful hosting of the festival.
Also, the silver jubilee edition of the festival was made bigger with
the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing by a leading
telecommunication company in Africa, Globacom, with the
Osemawe-in-council, to sponsor the event.
Living up to its promise, Globacom made the event one to be
remembered for a long time. The week-long event, fully sponsored by the
telecoms giant, included a food fair, brochure launch, club carnival, an
awards ceremony where eminent sons and daughters were recognized and
finally, a gala night with the legendary King Sunny Ade and his African
Beats.
There were side attractions like cultural displays, paying of homage
to the Osemawe by the traditional chiefs and members of clubs and
associations as well as a command performance by the Ondo State Cultural
troupe which also featured presentation of certificates, trophies and
cash award by Globacom and ODC to primary and secondary school students
who participated in the essay, quiz and athletics competitions.
Among the notable clubs that played active roles during the Ekimogun
day celebrations were the Ondo club 75, Nuemay club, Ondo Youths
Association, Eminent Gents club, Ondo Pier club 93, Ondo Amity club,
Ondo Ekimogun Development Forum (United Kingdom), The Profile club and
the Ondo Ritz club (US).
During the grand finale at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre on
Saturday, Governor Mimiko, accompanied by his wife, Olukemi, and several
top government functionaries, lauded the people of Ondo community for
what he described as their unity of purpose, high sense of patriotism
and outstanding communal spirit which he said had contributed positively
towards uplifting the socio/economic development of the community.
Mimiko also expressed appreciation to the Osemawe of Ondo kingdom,
Oba Dr Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, for the support extended to his
administration, promising that as an indigene, he would not bring shame
to the community.
Similarly, in his royal message, the Osemawe of Ondo lauded the
chairman and members of the ODC for dedicating this year’s edition of
Ekimogun Day to him. He also commended the chairman of Globacom, Dr Mike
Adenuga Jnr, (GCON), for his immense contribution to the unity and
growth of the nation by supporting the cause of tourism across the
country. He added that the improvement witnessed in the festival was
attributable to Globacom’s collaboration which had taken the festival to
new heights, both in contents and glamour.
On the way forward for the community, Oba Kiladejo appealed to
indigenes of the community who are professionals in various fields of
human endeavours to partner with the ODC in the task of moving the
community to high pedestal of development.
Also, earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Ondo
Development Committee (ODC), Chief Gbenga Akinnawo, described the
celebration as historic. He lauded the initiative of those who conceived
the idea of celebrating Ekimogun day as well as individuals and
corporate organisations who made positive contributions towards the
growth and development of the community.
Akinnawo on the occasion highlighted the achievements made by the ODC
under his leadership to include the re-awakening of Ondo kingdom unity,
creation of welfare outreach to the less privileged, establishment of
industrial estates, youth empowerment among others.
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