The Gbegande of Ososa, Oba Mojeed Adetoye Alatise, has said that the annual Ososa Omooroyo Day Celebration has come to stay as a cultural event of note among others in its mould.
Oba Alatise stated this while speaking with newsmen at a press briefing heralding the ongoing 2024 edition themed: “Create Hope…, in Yourself, Community and the World,” which held at the Ogunde Hall, Oba Gbegande Palace, Ososa, Ogun State.
Speaking on the ongoing week-long festival, which will hold till 2nd December 2024, the monarch said the Ososa Traditional Council and the entire Odogbolu Local Government Area concluded on the event that will showcase Ososa’s rich cultural heritage, following successful hosting of its 2023 edition.
Oba Adetoye Alatise said that the success of the first edition and the accompanying positive outcomes was a testament to the truth that the annual ‘”Ososa Omooroyo Day” celebrations had come to stay as a cultural event of note among others in its mould.
The monarch saluted the tenacity of the Chairman, Planning Committee of the festival, Chief Abayomi Adewunmi, and his commitment towards placing Omooroyo Ososa on the world tourism calendar, just as he equally reaffirmed his own commitment to preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of Ososa Kingdom.
He said the festival aimed to promote unity, peace, and cultural awareness among the people of Ososa and its neighbouring communities, expressing gratitude to all sons and daughters of Ososa for their support and cooperation in making last year’s maiden edition a success.
The royal father assured that this year’s celebration would be more glamorous and colourful, with a wide range of activities, including cultural performances, traditional dances, and exhibitions of local arts and crafts.
“We are committed to preserving our cultural heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence among our people.
“The Omooroyo Day Celebration is a testament to our resolve to keep our traditions alive and to pass them on to future generations,” he said.
Chairman, Planning Committee of Ososa Omooroyo 2024, Chief Adewunmi, expressed delight in the successes of the 2023 edition, noting that funds raised during the event were spent in providing needed infrastructure like sinking of new boreholes, renovation of existing ones and some other public utilities.
Chief Adewunmi assured that this year’s celebration promises to be an exciting and memorable event, with something for everyone to enjoy.
The Planning Committee chairman, while appreciating the Gbegande of Ososa who he said had demonstrated his commitment to the development and progress of the kingdom, said that his leadership and vision had been instrumental in promoting peace, unity, and cultural awareness among the people of Ososa.
Adewunmi said that the Omooroyo Day celebration was a shining example of Oba Alatise’s dedication to preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of Ososa Kingdom
“His leadership and vision have been instrumental in promoting peace, unity, and cultural awareness among the people of Ososa.
“As the kingdom looks forward to a brighter future, the Gbegande of Ososa remains committed to leading his people towards a more united, peaceful, and prosperous tomorrow,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Vice Chairman, Ososa Omooroyo 2024 Planning Committee, Otunba Adeniyi Adeneye, who spoke in Ijebu dialect explained that various activities had been lined up for this year’s festival, including; Medical Outreach/Health talk, Inter Club Football Competition, Ososa Beauty Pageant, Inter School Debates, Ikokore Night, where the culinary heritage of Ososa would be displayed.
Also speaking, the Secretary General of the Planning Committee, Ayodele Idowu, equally expressed delight that the Omooroyo Day Celebrations had come to stay.
Idowu, who went memory lane, explained that the Omooroyo, an ancient festival, suffered about 30 years of interregnum, but expressed the belief that the festivals would soon place Ososa on the global tourism calendar with the effort of the Oba Alatise, the Chairman, Planning Committee, Chief Adewunmi, and other members of the committee.
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