Oye-Ilupeju United and Peaceful day…..
It was a glorious day yesterday when our amiable, dependable and ever loving IDA President, Mr Banji Ogungbemi led the contingents of Ilupeju Ekiti to Oye day.
It was a colorful, unprecedented and unusual moment that will ever remain evergreen cherished in the history of the two towns.
The day (since yesterday) has been described as epoch making event that has brought back over 40 years: the peace, love and unity of the two towns…..
The peak of it all was donation both supported and direct of close to 3m from Ilupeju to Oye day.
The most exciting moment was Oye sons and daughters whose mothers are from Ilupeju coming out yesterday to identify with their maternal side and donated heavily to Ilupeju purse, e.g Lanre Adesuyi 500k, Yemkem 250k etc.
Surprisingly, the Royal father of the day, Olujido of Ido Ekiti who is also the current Chairman of Ekiti State Traditional Rulers opined and declared publicly yesterday that his mother is also from Ilupeju and supported financially to Ilupeju purse.
Ko si ija mo, ko si ote mo… Kudos to our indefatigable President.
To say the least, Ilupeju stole the day as they brought clamour and uncommon excitement to the event that all Oye Elites starting from HRM Oloye of Oye did not only refer to but were proud of.
What a historic day! of yesterday………..
OPU and IDA are now one, courtesy of the two Presidents….
Glory to God!
An excellent chronology.
Thank you OSKA. Thank you Dr Ibimiluyi.
We accomplished our mission – to steal the show. The hosts moved from shock to incredulity and then total absorption. Kabiesi Oloye and Elder Lucas Oniyelu the President of Oye Progressive Union knew that we would come. But they got more than they bargained for. I had told elder Lucas in the morning that we should be given a shed and 30 seats. He exclaimed. I said he should not worry, that we would bring our own canopy and seats. We laughed.
On the back of an envelope, I checked. There could be well over two dozen of our elites in both Oye and Ulupeju who have my type of identity. Why/how did things deteriorate to this level? Yaba shooting Bariga over where to erect the name of each town? Never again.
*A little detail*
I entered the Oye Day arena twice.
1. With the Oye Oloris and Princes with a band that was waiting for me at the Ayede junction, singing: Omo Ọwá o…
2. I returned to meet the formidable Ilupeju Contingent with the Taiwo Agada dance Band singing:
Omo Aribatise o mei ṣe…..
Oloye mo wi kaa mo ja o….
Kabiesi teased us again by openly repeating his belief that Ulupeju consulted the Ifa Oracle to choose me😁
I thank you all for joining me in working towards building the bridge as promised in my inuguaral speech in April.
We are re-writing the narratives.
We are investing in peace and unity.
We will harvest bountifully to the benefit of our youths, trade and commerce. Ilupeju will not build slums. We will build world-class hostels and more beautiful homes, with streets brightened with solar power .
I once again repeat my challenge to HRM Apeju and his Council to look for and acquire land in Odoko/Udi Osan/Obunkolamun area for more projects that will transform our noble town.
In mo seun o.
Mr BANJI Ogungbemi
IDA- President
Thank you, my dear brother, for this beautifully composed account of the Ajodun Omo Oye, in which our dear IDA President was a co-launcher yesterday. It was truly a remarkable and inspiring event, and your words captured the essence of the occasion perfectly.
The description of the IDA President’s leadership and the unity he fostered between the people of Ilupeju Ekiti, and Oye with the outing was nothing short of heartwarming.
The substantial donation is also a testament to the generosity and goodwill that permeated the occasion. The fact that Oye sons and daughters, whose maternal lineage traces back to Ilupeju, came forward to support their maternal roots with such fervor is both touching and commendable. It also speaks volumes about the unity and cohesion that were rekindled during this extraordinary event.
Apart from the donation, our cultural group was a beauty to watch yesterday. They stole the show as they accompanied HRM Oloye with their beautiful music as he danced around the venue of the event to greet his people. Big kudos to them.
The pride and unity displayed by Ilupeju at the event were truly remarkable and brought immense joy to all those who attended, including the distinguished Olojudo of Ido Kingdom, the Royal Father of the Day, whose mother also hails from Ilupeju and other Kabiyesis.
Indeed, the event serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when communities come together in the spirit of harmony and brotherhood.
May this historic event serve as a lasting reminder of the strength that can be found in unity and the extraordinary things that can be accomplished when we stand together.
Glory to God, indeed, for such a momentous, epoch-making and inspiring occasion.
Dr. Francis Ibimiluyi