At the 2nd Ijesha Day Celebration in Lagos

From all over Nigeria they came, down to Lagos, some even from oversea, attracted by a common cause, attracted by a feeling of togetherness, and attracted by a stirring of blood. 

Last Sunday in Lagos, the drum beat was indigenous, native to the Ijeshas as they held a grand day of celebration, aptly tagged: 2nd Ijesha Day, for all Ijesha sons and daughters. But they were not selfish about the celebration as they invited well wishers and
friends to share and witness with them, the robust hospitality and culture that Ijesha people have in abundant to offer.

As early as 1pm, they arrived with pomp and pageantry in state of the art vehicles, to the popular Anchor Event centre located in Ikeja, and owned by a reputed Ijesha woman, the Iya Alaje of Apapa, Chief Mrs. Toyin Kolade.

Blue was the colour of the day, and the Ankara had a light yellow with a touch of grey and white. These was worn in different fashion and style, by all Ijesha sons and daughters at the event, along with their friends and well-wishers.

Planned as a day to come together in a festive mood, to further the collective growth and development of the Ijesha people, the 2nd Ijesha Day celebration fulfilled its objective.

This was also affirmed by the Chairman of the event Chief Olu Falomo, who is also the Loro of Ijeshaland and Chief of Staff to the Owa of Ijeshaland. In his speech, he rejoiced with his people, appreciated their collective desire and resolve to lift the lot of the people of Ijeshaland and pledged his continuous support for growth and development of Ijeshaland.

This year's celebration also witnessed the presence of more and more sons and daughters of Ijeshaland, who missed last year's celebration. Among the dignitaries at last Sunday's event was Erelu Shola Obada, who is an ex Deputy Governor of Osun state and ex Minister of Defence.       

The Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland who was absent, could not but still be part of the event, as he placed a trunk call from the United Kingdom, to pour encomiums on his people, with much prayers and goodwill. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Aeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was not left out in the celebration, as he sent a delegation to the event. They enjoyed themselves as they were up most times during the evening, dancing. Other dignitaries at the event included, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, Chief Mrs. Toyin Kolade, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, Ade Fadahunsi, Akin Akintola, Hon. Fausat Sarumi, Alhaja Iyabo Shagaya, Ms Toyin Odanye, Magistrate J. Adefioye, Mrs. Kike Atayero, Tessy Yembra, Bisi Ibidapo Obe and many others.

The rich culture of the Ijesha was well on display from the akara and eko that all early arrivals were encouraged to eat, to other rich indigenous Ijesha foods, there was much to eat and drink.

Copiously used at the event was the beautiful flow of Ijesha language. It was a language requisite for all speakers. The beauty of each speaker at the event, became the fluency of the use and mastery of the Ijesha language on the lips, and everyone had something to learn.

Then was the music, and the dance steps refused to stop, even late into the evening. All the dignitaries showed their dance steps and that was because, the music was good! From fuji to appal, to Juju, hip hop and so on, the Ijeshas had a role model to showcase. Famous juju musician Ayo Balogun was on stage at some point in the celebration, dishing out good tunes to the delight of all. And so also was St. Janet, Twinx who supplied hip hop music, to the joy of all.

As at 10pm, the stage was still on dance fire, and many Ijesha sons and daughters defied the night to enjoy themselves with everything they hold dear as a people.

When it was all over, yes, they had partied, yes, they had danced and made merriment, but more importantly, the Ijesha Day was successful because, it will remain a good memory in the minds of the people, as they succeeded in raising millions of naira and pledges for the building of a civic centre for Ijesha people, in a site made up of two acres of land, equally donated by a group of Ijesha daughters, as a good legacy for the future.