Activities for the commemoration of this year’s Ikire Day commenced on Monday with an interreligious prayer led by the Grand Chief Imam of Ikireland, Sheikh Muslim Dimeji Folohunso; the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ikire, Superior Evangelist Ademola Oketunmbi and the representative of the traditional worshippers, Mr Taiwo Finnigala.
The Ikire Day 2024 activities were unveiled at a press conference that followed the prayer session, which was addressed by some members of the executive committee of the Ikire Progressive Union (IPU) led by the president, Alhaji Ademola Akinromade, at the palace of the traditional ruler of the town, the Akire, Oba Olatunde Falabi Olanbeloye.
Akinromade, supported by the National General Secretary and chairman of the organising committee, Mr Michael Omoloye and First Vice President and Ikire Day 2024 Coordinator, Alhaji Olusola Adegboyega, explained that Ikire Day, the 30th edition of which is being marked this year, was initiated in 1994 to bring together sons and daughters of Ikire, home and abroad, to further the development of the town and celebrate its cultural heritage.Â
The representative of the Akire-in-Council, Chief Muritala Falana, gave a history of Ikire and explained the ascendancy of its successive traditional rulers since the founding of the town about 700 years ago.Â
There were dance and drama by the theatre troupe of the Osun State University as part of the opening day events.
The IPU president, Akinromade, said the grand finale of the weeklong programme, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday at Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire, will feature a N500 million fundraiser for the execution of development projects in the town, “dodo exhibitions” and a raffle draw.
According to him, prior to the grand finale, on Friday, there will be a ceremony at Ikire Town Hall where awards will be presented to deserving Ikire indigenes and the second edition of a youth carnival tagged ‘Ojude Akire’ at Oja Ale Roundabout.Â
He said the two days will be preceded with a free health programme on Tuesday at Ikire Town Hall, as well as a symposium on Wednesday by the National Association of Ikire Students (NAIS) at the same venue and a third-place football match at Ayedaade Grammar School main field.
Thursday, Akinromade added, would be featuring the final of a debate competition among junior secondary school students at the main hall of Ayedaade Grammar School and the final football match between teams of male senior secondary school students at the school field.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then