Ekimogun Day 2012: Celebration of GLOrious heritage

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.