The international border town of Ikolaje Idiroko in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State is set to be agog this weekend as popular fuji musician, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma is set to dazzle the indigenes of the town for the grand finale of the week-long 21st annual Ojude Oba festival.
The week-long activities according to a press release issued in Abeokuta and signed by Mr. Sola Ibirinde, have been properly planned and packaged to bring into focus tourists attractions in the town to serve as source of revenue to the government.
The Ikolaje Idiroko Ojude-Oba is an annual festival which is been used to celebrate the culture of the people and appreciate God for the peace and unity in the land. The release added that the focus of the festival is to make the annual event a popular tourist destination where foreign tourists will flock the town and savour the uniqueness of Ikolaje Idiroko people.
Already, this year’s festival kicked off with an opening ceremony featuring talent show, quiz competition and debate for Secondary School Students in the town as well as Football matches and religious lectures for both Muslims and Christians.
The release added that all sons and daughters of Ikolaje Idiroko will on Thursday hold the annual cultural and Iko day where different age groups and clubs are expected to actively participate and pay homage to His Royal Majesty, the Oniko of Ikolaje IdiIroko, Oba John Olakunle Ojo.
The theme of the 21st festival according to the release is Cross Border Cooperation: Local and Preventive Diplomacy on Conflict. The beauty pageants contestants are drawn from Nigeria and the neighbouring Benin Republic.
The Grand Finale which will also feature awards presentation to deserving indigenes and corporate bodies in recognition of their contributions to the development of the community.
The release pointed out that the town will not make the annual Ojude Oba a fashion jamboree of no consequence to the welfare of the host and the environment as there will also be health emergency programme in the community.
– Wale Adewunmi, Ogun State Correspondent