THERE was a glimpse of the reawakening of rich culture and tradition of Ibadanland on Saturday as the 2018 Ibadan Cultural Festival grand finale was held at the historical Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
The organisers; Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) brought back the proud memory of Ibadan greatness and uniqueness in a ceremony witnessed by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Ogungunniso I and his wife, Olori Rasheedat; the osi Olubadan and former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; president General of CCII, Chief Yemi Soladoye, with several Mogajis at the background.
Before the cultural funfare, the CCII had bestowed award of the Most Ibadan Friendly on the person of the former Governor of Oyo state, Major-General David Medayese Jemibewon; Chief Tunde Afolabi and Chief Jide Olatunde-Agbeja.
It all started with homages, before some High Chiefs and new Obas; Senator Lekan Balogun, oba Eddy Oyewole, among others, before they left for another function.
On arrival at the scene, the Olubadan of Ibadan, in company with High Chief Ladoja, took their seats on the podium, as representatives of various compounds and families file to pay homages to the highest traditional team in Ibadanland.
About 250 affiliate clubs to the CCII had various stands as their representatives clad in uniformed native attire under canopies and tents, dancing and watching to add glamour to this year’s festival.
Earlier, some notable masquerades in Ibadan, from the famous Alapansanpa, Atipako, Amoniloju, Kobomoje and Inagorilefoju, came before the Olubadan to perform to the delight of the traditional council and the audience at the mainbowl of the stadium.
Most familes invited to display before the Olubadan attempted to showcase those features their families were known for as there were mock dress presentation of great Ibadan warlords and former Olubadan, even from Baale Agbe.
There were also performance of ewi, exhibition of drums, among others.
In his address, the President General, CCII, worldwide, Chief Soladoye said the ceremony is a day of testimonies and appreciation, also set aside for the Aboke chief to pray for the peace and tranquility of Ibadanland.
He noted that “the Ibadan Cultural Festival for this year “is the most comprehensive and all-encompassing in the anals of Ibadan Week cultural Fetsival since its inception almost 30 years ago.”
He added that the “the goal is to restore Ibadan tradition and culture after almost 180 years of Western and Arabian brainwashing which made most Nigerians to drop their religion, culture, tradition and even language, especially among the elites a development mistakenly perceived as civilisation.
“Now, Ibadan is again determined to set the pace for all other Nigerians to restore their culture and traditions learning from the Chinese and Indians who like us embraced Western education but refused to drop their religion, tradition and language,” he stated.
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