Ijemo Day Celebration Is To Showcase Our Rich Cultural Heritage, History – Chief Kufile

Chief Kufile disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists at a press conference heralding the weeklong events.

The Egba High Chief explained that, the celebration was to preserved the history of Ijemo for a better tomorrow.

He explained that, the general civil unrest which culminated in the aftermath of the Ijemo Massacre on August 8, 1914 provided the excuse that kick-started the complete Amalgamation of Nigeria.

He enjoined all Egba townships and sections, their sons and daughters to recognize the supreme sacrifice of the Ijemo heroes and heroines on the Black Day of the Ijemo Massacre; the magnanimity, generosity and the unique role played by the Ijemo people as indigenous community who played host to the great founders of present day Abeokuta, capital City of Ogun State, Nigeria.

“The civil unrest broke out, the then rapidly developing Abeokuta Township became embroiled in civil strife with the civil unrest and the masses in open protest and the Ogboni groups were not left out with other townships in alignment with the Ijemo people and their leadership. The Egba United Government had its greatest challenge at hands.

“The Ijemos believed that Ponlade was not treated fairly, he was not given a fair hearing. The principle of natural justice, nemo judex in causa sua was utterly breached in the handling of the case of Chief Ponlade. The Egba United Government with limited experience at managing social unrest of such magnitude did all to avert the crisis but to no avail, the ill-fated result was the Ijemo Massacre which saw the grueling killing of  many Ijemo people and their Leader, Oluwo Arinmokunrin and several households razed down in the inferno caused by arsonists who set dwelling houses on fire and people in their hundreds lost their homes.

“The Ijemo people retreated to their outpost or satellite villages to live there. Much was the suspicion of the Ijemos for the Egba Leadership for many years. Now it is gratifying that Ijemo has renewed its alliance and cooperation with the Egba Nation.

“With the benefit of hindsight, the loss of the Independence of the Egbas, with the British unilateral withdrawal of recognition for the Egba United Government was a political plan which had been formed only awaiting the right opportunity for its execution. The general civil unrest which culminated in the aftermath of the Ijemo Massacre provided the excuse that kick-started the complete Amalgamation of Nigeria.”

Reeling out the programme of events for the weeklong celebration, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee Ijemo Day Celebration 2024, Chief Anthony Oyewole Oyero, the Lemo Ijemo, said various events lined up to celebrate the 110th Commemoration of the Ijemo Massacre include, a medical outreach involving Health screening with gift of drugs and medication after medical assessment of the participants on Saturday, 3rd August, 2024.

Chief Oyero stressed that, the medical outreach is opened to the elderly and the sick of all ages at Ijemo Town Hall, Arimokunrin Street, Ijemo, Abeokuta beginning from 10.00am to 6.00 pm.

He said on Wednesday, 7th August 2024, there would be Woro event where scores of horse riders comprising the sons and daughters of Ijemo will present a beautiful spectacle and showcase dexterity at horsemanship.

According to him, the Horse riders will assemble at Oluwo’s House at Oke Ijemo, for the traditional homage and blessings from the Oluwo and other senior Chiefs.

Oyero added that, the procession of the Horse riders will go on a courtesy visit to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland and with Royal blessings pronounced on them by the Alake and Paramount Ruler Of Egbaland.

He continued: “On this same day, there will be a street Carnival and parties all over the streets and compounds of Ijemo Township for the youths to mark the celebration of Ijemo History, Culture and Heritage. The street Carnivals will start from 2.00 pm shall close by 8.00pm.

“Thursday, 8th August 2024- The yearly inter-denominational prayer session will take place at Ijemo Town Hall between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm. Just after the inter-denominational service, we will have the Isese Session, where the different Isese indigenous religion adherents and allied groups such as the  Egungun, Olomolu, Ode e.t.c. will hold their prayers. This programme will hold between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm.

“Friday, 9th August, 2024- There would be Traditional Games- A fun spot and a knowledge-based game- we will arrange the Local Ayo Olopon, draughts, Ludo, Table Tennis among others. This event starts by 10.00 am at Ijemo Town Hall. While the traditional game is on by 2.00pm, there will be an educational Empowerment for not less than thirty WAEC/NECO Candidates for the 2024 – 2025 academic session. The event shall hold at Ile Ogboni, Oke Ijemo, Abeokuta.

“Saturday, 10th August 2024 – The grand finale will take place at the venue already secured for the programme. It promises to be grand and colourful on the band stand will be the music Star, the current toast of fuji music lovers, Taye Currency.

“The grand finale will attract across Nigeria, prominent sons and daughters of Ijemo with their friends and well- wishers will gather in the presence of the Chief Host, Oluwo Ijemo/Aro of Egba, Chief Oluyinka Kufile. Kabiyesi. His Royal Majesty, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo CFR will be the Royal father of the Day.

“It is expected that Government Functionaries, Captain of Industries, Public figures, Royal fathers and other VIPs will be in attendance.

“A major highlight of the special event marking the grand finale is the presentation of awards to few eminently deserving personalities who had contributed to the development of Ijemo community in the course of their trajectories as public officials, community leaders and business and industrial leaders.”