Why Ilupeju Day was celebrated with funfare

Oba Olaleye Oniyelu,
the Apeju of Ilupeju EkitiILUPEJU-Ekiti, reputed to be the largest town in Oye Local Government Council area of Ekiti State, was recently set aglow as indigenes at home and abroad converged on the town to celebrate the ‘Ilupeju Ekiti Day’ with pomp and pageantry. The occasion which was held between Monday 17 and Sunday 23 March, 2008, and the third one to be celebrated, however lived up to expectations as residents temporarily suspended their social outings and other activities to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

Prior to the commencement of the programme, the Esan Ogunleye-led Ilupeju-Ekiti Development Association (IDA) constituted an organising committee headed by Barrister Charles Ajiboye to plan for a hitch-free, memorable and successful celebration. The committee which worked tirelessly and assiduously in consultation with major interest groups in the town rolled out a week-long programme of activities.

To kick-start the programme was an interdenominational service held at the palace of the monarch of the town, the Apeju of Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oba Olaleye Oniyelu. The prayer session which was well attended was to seek the grace and blessings of God in all the activities of the programme. Later in the day was a quiz competition between Obalatan Commercial Grammar School and Ilupeju High School, both in Ilupeju-Ekiti. The competition which was keen was very exciting and illuminating. The second day of the programme was a football match where Uyanmerim and Aita Quarters slugged it out with their fans in attendance.

On the third day of the programme, it went more academic with a public lecture on “Wealth Creation” which was delivered by an erudite scholar, Professor S.O. Otokiti from Covenant University, Ota. Teachers, artisans, pensioners, bankers and members of the cooperative societies attended the lecture in order to reduce poverty through wealth creation so that people would have financial freedom. As part of the activities, there was a cultural display by various cultural groups. It was a day of tradition and culture. The youths of the town participated in an environmental sanitation exercise on the fifth day and Jumat service held at the Central Mosque, Ilupeju-Ekiti later in the afternoon.

The grand finale of the programme took place at St. John’s Catholic Primary School, Ilupeju-Ekiti on Saturday 22nd March, 2008. As early as 9.00 a.m, members of the community had started to arrive at the venue of the event in grand style. While High Chiefs appeared in their regalia, some groups appeared in their uniforms which made the occasion look very beautiful and colourful. Members of the Ilupeju Development Association (IDA), Ado/Ikere-Ekiti stole the show in their gracious and beautiful uniform.The first major event on this day was the presentation of awards of excellence to four eminent sons and daughters of the town. The distinguished awardees were Chief (Hon.) S.B. Ajiboye, Chief S. O. Daramola, Chief (Mrs.) Modupe Oyesanya and Mr. Olalekan Aiyeleso; a Permanent Secretary in Ekiti State.

They were recognised and celebrated for their selfless services to the growth, progress and development of Ilupeju-Ekiti. After the presentation of the awards to the awardees by the Chairman of the occasion, Arch. (Sir) Dipo Ajayi, there was a launching of N100 million appeal fund towards community projects. Some members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Honourable Olufemi Bamisile also stole the show while showing solidarity with one of them, Honourable Rufus Sunday Adunmo who was the Chief Launcher of the occasion. The atmosphere of the occasion became ecstatic when it was the turn of the Quarters to make their donations. Each Quarter was led by District heads (Oloja) who first paid homage to the Apeju of Ilupeju, before making their donations. All the Quarters took their turns with expression of love, unity and solidarity.

It was a spectacle to behold when it was the time of the musician, Professor Ogidi Olu Alaro to entertain the people. It was indeed a moment of excitement when the Oloris and the High Chiefs joined the Kabiyesi while dancing to the lyrics of the music maestro. Everybody became joyous and excited as if the programme should continue till dawn. No doubt, this year’s Ilupeju Day was celebrated with pomp and pageantry. It afforded the sons and daughters of Ilupeju-Ekiti the opportunity to showcase their tradition and culture. Many businessmen and women made brisk business through the sale of sourvenirs like vests, fez caps and other items like soft drinks. As a result of the significance of the celebration, it is the wish of the people of Ilupeju-Ekiti that the programme should be an annual event. Next year, the involvement of corporate organisations in sponsoring the event should be explored. By and large, Ilupeju Day 2008 has come and gone, but its memories would continue to linger on as preparation for year 2009 celebrations will soon commence.

Ogunmiluyi, Chairman, Ilupeju-Ekiti Development Association,
sent this piece from Ekiti State.