By Congressman Bimbo Daramola
Yesterday Ado Ekiti was agog in glowing colours depicting fanfare, warmth and unity of a people.
It was the occassion of this year's annual reunion and celebration of another year in the culture of the sons and daughters of the Ewi Otus.
I have never had the opportunity of attending the reknown Udiroko Celebrations, so i may not be able to compare what the previous ones were like, but this year's event was ecstatic, electrifying and a spectacle in its own class.
When my friend more like my blood brother Pastor Dr Yemi Olayinka Olayemi Daniel said I should be his guest, and later the people's Governor #Biodun #Oyebanji said I should, I was just like maybe it was going to be another regular reunion of the warm and affectionate people of Ado Ekiti, my place of birth, naturally Ado Ekiti and her people are my first family granted the fact that I was sirred here decades ago, so all these reasons made my attendance compelling.
A sneak preview of what to expect was when I went to Yemi's house for dinner 🍽 the previous day, his beautiful house and compound was filled with people cooking all sorts of meals, I opted for the Pounded yam and rorowo soup 🍲, men, it was so so delicious, just reminded me of the way my Grandmother used to make it, what we call "Ajeponula", of course I requested for additional soup sha!
While at Yemi's place, our friends, like Kunle Ogunsakin also an Ado Ekiti born and bred successful journalist and other people kept coming in and the A ku odun greeting filled the air, this was like the foretaste of what was going to happen tommorow.
On the D day, i was to meet up with Yemi so that we'll leave from his place but that did not work out, obviously he got engrossed with other things.
Anyway I found my way to the Palace square and the place was packed to the brim, a pin dropping there will find its way to the ground difficult!
Well I connected with Yemi and many friends that we grew up together in Ado at their allotted space all dressed beautifully in their red and blue Aso Oke, just as others also took their spaces and gaily dressed in different Aso Oke of different colours.
Ahead of the arrival of the Kabiyesi, the Imperial Majesty, Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, there were titillating performances from many cultural performances from different groups and many sons and daughters were milling around the arena.
Later we got moved to the enclosed area where the Kabiyesi would sit alongside other dignitaries.
Shortly after, the Kabiyesi, the Ewi Otu made his grand entry resplendent in gorgeous blue Aso Oke and the beaded crown on his head most fittingly, he was heralded by chiefs and palace courtiers.
Kabiyesi was a beauty to behold, very majestic and magisterial .
Shortly the Governor of Ekiti, His Excellency #Biodun #Oyebanji made a grand entry, the loud rapturous applause 👏 that greeted his entry as we say on the street ," walahi no be here..kilometres away it echoed ! 👏
The Governor later made his way up ably supported by the first executive Governor, His Excellency Otunba Niyi Adebayo and in tow was another "Odidimade" himself, the Oshokomale , Ebora to nje Jollof rice, former Governor Ayodele Fayose., it was a sight to behold, to see these two predecessors line behind their young mentee, and successor, a moving sight to behold, it was more than an affirmation, it was a statement.
It was tough getting through that crowd but the Governor ultimately made his way up took his seat by the Kabiyesi and his very beautiful wife, our own beauty and brains, our first lady, Professor Olayemi Oyebanji, radiantly beautiful on the other side.
Immediately my mind went to the day Ekiti people came together in a referendum and pronounced Governor Oyebanji fit as fiddle, prepared, ready and fully accepted to lead our beloved State and her people for another four years, after the expiration of the first tenure.
I just asked myself , these people who gave the Governor this rapturous applause will most certainly speak with their ballots 🗳 very soon, if the naysayers have made a swan song out of the broad spectrum across board endorsements which they found convenient to say the people were paid or bought, so what of these people in this arena who gathered to celebrate an annual cultural event, were they bought too?
Anyway, let them say whatever, they are so entitled to, but these people also will speak and when they do it will be so loud in favour of the man they believe and trust his leadership, walahi NO CAPPING!
Abeg "abowaba ni yen", back to Udiroko 2025, I was and I am still proud of my kith and kin from Ekiti of Ado extraction who pulled a great show yesterday.
There were many cultural performances and presentations and it almost made Ojude Oba come distant second.
I walked away from that ground hoping that we can deepen the essence of this event and hope this can trigger and re-enact the seemingly rested #EKITI #DAY, for all of us Ekiti from within and without to come together and celebrate our unique essence and identity as Ekitis.
I congratulate all my friends and family from Ado Ekiti on the occassion of another successful Udiroko,I surely look forward to being a part of this event by the grace of God next year.
See you there.
Long live Kabiyesi, Olori Eyesorun, Ewi in council and the sons and daughters of Ado Ekiti.
0 Comments