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•Monarch, indigenes seek govt support
By Kehinde Aderemi
The week- long annual Oka Day festival, climaxes today with the grand finale to beheld at the town hall. Indigenes and guests from across the world would gather at the town’s hall to celebrate the annual festival.
Royal father and Chief host of the event, Owa Olusin of Owalusin, Iwaro-Oka Akoko, Oba Stephen Ogunoye (JP) had, during an encounter with journalists, earlier in the week, said the festival was the 25th edition.
He explained that the annual fiesta also coincided with the first anniversary of the presentation of his staff of office from the Ondo State- government, after 24 years on the throne.
Oba Ogunoye stated that the festival is the people’s own way of promoting the culture, heritage and identity of the town.
“A year ago, I received the Staff of Office from the Ondo State governor, Orimisan Aiyedatiwa after 24 years on the throne. That day, I made a solemn promise to unite all my people and seek peace among my kinsmen.
“ Nothing can be achieved without unity and peace. I am sure Oka Day festival will always be the rallying point for peace, unity and transformation of the town,” he said.
Oba Ogunoye pointed out that since he became the royal father of the town, he had brought a lot of transformation to Iwaro Oka Akoko town.
He said he sought government’s intervention so that the General Hospital in the town might become a teaching hospital.
He added that the roads leading to the town needs to be reconstructed even as he sought government’s support in ensuring that schools, pipe borne water and good power supply are provided for the town.
“As we celebrate the annual Oka Day festival, I want to appeal to our amiable governor, Mr.Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to look into the demand of the people of my town.
“In Iwaro Oka Akoko, we want good roads, schools, pipe borne water and upgrading of our town’s General Hospital to a Teaching Hospital. These are our demand to the governor and I believe he would listen to us”, he appealed.
Oba Ogunoye highlighted the programme of activities for the week- long anniversary.
According to him, the programme began last Monday with a sanitation exercise across the community. There was a football match on Tuesday and Ayo Olopon game on Wednesday.
“On Thursday, I played host to security groups and organisations as well as traditional worshippers in the town for them to help us appease the gods and our ancestors.
On Friday, there was a special Jummat service held at the town’s Central Mosque where we prayed and sought the face of Allah. For the grand finale holding today, our guests are expected from all over the world. We are expecting our governor and his Commissioner for Tourism and other important dignitaries. The activities for this year will be concluded on Sunday with special Church service and prayers for the town.”
Chairman, Planning Committee, Felix Aponbiede, a lawyer, said the event was not just a festival, but a celebration of hope and unity. He explained that adequate security arrangements were made for the guests.
One of the prominent sons of the town, Shola Omoroke, said he was excited that Oka Day fiesta has brought together people from every part of the world .
He pointed out that such gathering would enhance tourism and bring about the needed development to the town.
“I am happy that Kabiyesi’s vision to have a united and peaceful town is gradually coming to reality. With the annual Oka Day festival, we have seen many of us coming to the town to support Kabiyesi in ensuring that Iwaro Oka Akoko is transformed. I believe strongly that very soon, we shall begin to see the transformation that will manifest for everybody to see”, he said.
