By Daud Olatunji

The 2015 Oronna Ilaro Festival has come and gone but the people of the ancient town will forever remember the festival as it united their sons and daughters  all over the country  regardless of their political and religious affiliations .

•Masquerade Oronna Ilaro Festival

Before the festival, the Yewaland had been polarised based in political lines, but,the festival seems to have put a tentative end to the bickering , as some  of them who belong to different political parties came together and embraced one another during the festival.

The festival, which witnessed several cultural displays from different groups, was rounded off with the grand finale, which drew prominent Yewaland sons and daughters who include; the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, a Senator representing Lagos West , Solomon Olamilekan among others.

Findings have shown that, Oronna was the mythological hero of Ilaro who distinguished himself in battles against the Dahomeans who were a scourge to the people of the area. Further findings revealed that, Oronna who reportedly disappeared in the earth, leaving a long chain tied around his waist had asked his people to visit his shrine and call him whenever they need his help against their enemies.

Oronna Ilaro festival is an annual cultural festival of Ilaro primarily conceived to preserve uphold and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ilaro. Over the years, the festival in its unique colours and splendour has drawn tens of thousands of sons and daughters of Ilaro, traditional culture enthusiasts  and international tourists from both inside and outside of the country.

Oronna Ilaro festival, with its status, has beyond doubt become a major tourist attraction and destination for all in Nigeria and around the world. The festival is socio-cultural, whose cultural antecedent has placed Ilaro on the map of the world, was officially inaugurated in 1992

The colourful festival is a week long programme, featuring all aspects of Ilaro  cultural traditional and social life. As a mark of  thev communal bond that was established two decades ago, the descendants of Ilaro gather from all over the world to celebrate one of the largest cultural festivals in south western region of Nigeria.

This year’s celebration was remarkable as it coincides with the coronation cum accession to the throne of His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, Asade Agunloye IV.

This year’s edition was tagged “festival of achievement” which commenced November 14 and ended November 22, 2015. It featured Onigba Aje cultural ceremony, colourful carnival and road show, Sisi Ilaro beauty pageant, traditional Ayo Olopon contest and Poosu/Apara Cuisine.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Oronna Ilaro festival central planning committee, Chief Kayode Odunaro said this year’s  festival was the fourth time of 22 years old festival was being celebrated as a federal government endorsed tourism festival.

He urged the governor to complete the road projects he started in Ilaro for the town to have completed roads as in other major towns of the state, adding that the festival has impacted positively in terms of infrastructure and tourism development, manifested in the building of new hotels.

He said the proceeds from the festival have been used to build Asade Agunloye pavilion out of a deep forest as part of the re- branding and promotion of the festival.

Royalremarks

While giving his Royal remarks, the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland used the opportunity to solicit the support of the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for a candidate of Yewa extraction in 2019 , saying the ethnic group remains the only one not yet opportune to govern the state in its 40 year history.

Oba Gbadewole who appealed to the governor to forgive any of his subjects that may have offended him in anyway called for unity among Yewa people as they strive to develop the area in all ramification.

He however, instructed that henceforth all Yewa communities and town must affix ‘Yewa’ at the end of their name as a mark of cultural identity and differentiation from other states bearing similar names. The royal father stated that an Ogun State governor of Yewa extraction in 2019 will continue the good work of Senator Amosun in rebuilding the state as Yewa people share in the dream of rebuilding Ogun State.

The Governor of the state, who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Taiwo Adeoluwa appreciated the people of Yewa and Ogun West Senatorial district for voting the governor for a second term stressing that without their votes the governor would not have the required constitutional requirement to win the election.

The Governor promised to complete all the projects in Ogun West before the end of his second term adding that the people of the area should continue to support his administration in view of dwindling resources.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi in is remarks congratulated the royal father, saying the festival has provided a platform for our people to come together and so far so good there have been display of their cultural heritage. “ And I want to believe that having this kind of thing, it will go a long way in uniting all of us as Yewa.And you could see that Kabiyesi ,he actually spoken on the importance of having this kind of

program.I want to believe that, having this kind of programme will go a long way in appreciating ourselves and uniting ourselves”. The event was attended by Senators Solomon Adeola (Lagos West ) Prince Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West), Gbenga Obadara and Dr. Samuel Adejare,

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Kola Lawal Ogun state Commissioner for Forestry, Mr. Gbolahan Oyeleye, Ogun state Commissioner for Environment, Hons. Babatunde Adebanjo (Alimosho Federal Constituency), Kunle Akinlade (Yewa South /Ipokia Federal Constituency)  among others.