The ancient city of Akanran, Ona Ara Local Government, Area of Oyo State was on Saturday, November 26, 2022 filled of large gathering as Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun Okunmade II, the former Governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, Amb. Ronke Adefope, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, academia, business Moguls and others converged in Ilaji Resorts for Ijala Àrè Odẹ Renaissance Festival Celebration 2022.
So many cultural enthusiasts, politicians, farmers and artisans trooped to the Ilaji mini stadium venue of the Grand Finale. Amidst booming of guns and drumming, Ijala chanters entertained the audience to the admiration of all. At the end of the competition ÈJÍRÉ OWONIKOKO from Eripa in Osun State came first and went home with a prize of ₦250,000, SEYI ỌMỌ ODẸ from Oyo town who came second got ₦200,000 while ỌMỌ OLUODE from Ogbomoso who came third got ₦150,000. The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Governor Of Oyo State Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, who was decorated as the Patron of Ijala Are Ode Cultural Renaissance Group enjoined other Local Governments in Ibadanland to emulate the Ona Ara Development Forum by embarking on cultural promotions. So impressed with Ijala rendition by participants that Senator Ladoja also rewarded them with Cash gifts. All the eight finalists were given #50,000 each while those who could not make it to the finals were given #40,000 each. There were calls by eminent scholars at the event that every necessary things should be done to promote Ijala to the level that it will be recognised by the UNESCO as an important cultural heritage.
Ijala Are Ode Celebration 2022, was a 3days long programme which took off from Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th November, 2022.
This event was monitored by freshvoicenewsmedia.com.ng featured series of programmes for each day, as it began with a lecture on Thursday, November 24 by Professor Akin Alao of Obafemi Awolowo University and Ijala Competition held on Friday 25th November, 2022 before it’s grand finale on Saturday 26th.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the former President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes CCII, Chief Bayo Oyero, Ona Ara Local Government Chairman, Hon. Musibau Sanusi SHABA, the council of traditional rulers in Ona Ara Local Government, Capt. Akinjide Kazeem Akinola among Others.
Also, numerous academia and business Moguls across reputable academic institutions and business organizations were in attendance.
In their appreciation, An elated President of Ona Ara Development Forum Alhaji Kola Bolomope expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the programe and promised an improvement in the programe next year.
The Chairman Planning Committee, Chief Dipo Gbenro said that Ijala Àrè Odẹ Renaissance Festival was aimed at reviving our culture heritage in Ona Ara Local Government and Yorubaland as a whole.
