From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The people of Ekinrin-Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State have appealed for N600 million from well-meaning indigenes to address infrastructure decay.
President of the Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association (EACDA), Deinde Komolafe, announced this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, June 16, 2025, ahead of the 32nd Ekinrin-Adde Day Festival scheduled for June 21, 2025, in Kogi State.
Komolafe said the funds would be used to complete a multi-purpose town hall, build a computer-based test (CBT) centre for secondary school students, and address other infrastructural needs.
He stated, “This world press briefing happening today is strategic to this year’s 2025 and 32nd Ekinrin-Adde Day celebrations, for some obvious reasons, among which include the six hundred million naira Infrastructural Development Fund as a self-help-driven community, awards to various illustrious sons and daughters, including friends of the community from across various parts of the country, which further confirms our tendency to give the annual festival a national outlook and make it an international tourist destination.
“The introduction of new and innovative contents such as essay competition, food exhibitions, cultural wear display and processions by various branches of Ekinrin-Adde communities, home and abroad, traditional marriage protocols renaissance, native eulogies of various clans’ renaissance, and various competitions with fantastic cash prizes to be won.
“Firstly, we are building a multi-purpose town hall. It is about 60% complete. Secondly, we are going to build a computer-based test centre for our students.
“We do not want them to go far to write JAMB and WAEC. The centre will help them to write the exams in our community. It is very important to us.”
A member of EACDA, Babajide Otitoju, described the community as a pacesetter in social initiatives, being the first in Ijumu LGA to establish a secondary school, maternity centre, postal agency, and community bank.
“Ekinrin-Adde community is a remarkably modern Okun-Yoruba community in Ijumu LGA, in the West Senatorial District of Kogi State.
“It is renowned for its prodigious human capital and natural resources endowment and has produced eminent sons and daughters who have made significant contributions to national development, pre- and post-independence.”
Speaking on the forthcoming festival, he said, “Ekinrin-Adde Day festival is in the mould of the popular Ojude Oba of Ijebu Ode and the yearly Lisabi Day in Abeokuta, as well as other such days that have become defining features of many communities across Yoruba land in Nigeria.”