Iganmode Festival, of the Awori people in Ota, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, is a rallying point for socio-cultural growth and development.

By Kayode Balogun

Indian-American writer, Siddharth Katragadda, once said that the greatness of a culture can be found in its festival. This was exactly what played out when the Awori people in Ota, Ogun State, gathered to celebrate the Iganmode Festival last December. The age-long festival has consistently promoted the rich culture and tradition of the Awori people.

Historically, the Awori people migrated from Ile-Ife to settle in Ota, and as a people, they created a united front to wade off their ancient enemies. Hence, the Iganmode Afeleja, which is associated with all free-born of Ota. Meanwhile, Iganmode was the title or appellation of a veteran who led the people in their early war efforts and whose heroics helped the Awori migrants to settle in Ota. Notably, the Olota of Ota, HRM (Prof.) Oba Abdukabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun (II) through his apt social connections and intellectual insight, has given fillip to the festival, making it more glamorous since his ascension to the throne in 2018.

Who and who at the festival

Annually, all indigenes, home and abroad, usually gather to mark this celebration on the third Saturday of December. Its 30^th edition was on Saturday, December 17, 2022. The crowd-puller ceremony was also supported by the Ogun State Government through its Ministry of Culture and Tourism. It was a homecoming festival for all Ota-Awori indigenes in Nigeria and in the diaspora. Many Kings from other Awori divisions in Ogun and Lagos States were present. Some of them include: Onikosi of Ikosi-Ketu, Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Onilogbo of Ilogbo-Ota, Oloregun of Oregun, among others.

Themed: Culture, Communal Security and Patriotism, the well-attended ceremony was graced by the crème de la cream and dignitaries from all walks of life. Some of the attendees include: Ogun State Governor,  Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, his deputy, Mrs. Noimot Salako Oyedele, Chairman of the event, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was represented by Femi Pedro (former Deputy Governor of Lagos State), Special Guest of Honour; Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola; Mother of the day, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu (Yeye Oodua of the Source and Erelu Kuti (IV) of Lagos; Ogun State Commissioner, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Hon. Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo and former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru, and several other dignitaries.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, in his remarks, said that his government will continue to develop the tourism potential of all town days and city festivals in a bid to promote the identity of the citizens at home and abroad. He added that the festival is a means to further enhance the industrialisation of Ota land and by extension, Ogun State. The Governor noted that Ota has the largest local government in Ogun State and the industrial capital of the state.

The highlights

The Iganmode Festival was marked by various ceremonies, feasting, and other social activities. It was a day of joy and happiness for the natives and guests who turned out in droves to celebrate the day. The re-union sparked excitement and renewed togetherness as the socio-cultural festival reaffirms its strength as a defining characteristic of the Awori people. There was creative and artful display of the Egungun culture, which thrilled and charged the atmosphere. Thereafter, the festival was also spiced with an excellent musical performance by Fuji maestro, Alhaji Sulaimon Alao Malaika, who thrilled the audience.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the launch of the ₦300 million Ota e-library Project. There was also an award ceremony where outstanding trailblazers in the community were recognised. Two of the beneficiaries include: Dr. Ayo Aderinwale, CEO of Justrite Limited and Miss Faith Odunsi, winner of the Global Open Mathematics Tournament.

In his goodwill message, Prof. Kabir Adeyemi, Oba Lanlegbe (II) commended the Olota-in-Council and the planning committee of the 30^th edition of the Omo Iganmode Festival. He promised to keep supporting corporate organisations in Ota with an environment conducive for their activities in order to enhance greater productivity and profitability. He urged all attendees to shun violence in the electoral process.

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Speaking on the uniqueness of the festival, the Onikosi of Ikosi Kosofe land, Alamu Oloyede Kehinde Arobadi Onikosi, said: “I’m a descendant of Akeja Oniyoy`Ota. I make bold to say that my ancestors migrated from Ota to settle in Onikosi Ketu. I thank the Oba Olota for bringing us together again after a long time. The last time I visited home was when my father was on the throne of Ketu Onikosi. During the recent coronation of Oba Awori, The Olota approached us all and invited us to come home to celebrate the festival (Iganmode) with him, and we committed to honour the invitation because we are not bastards and this is our root.” He added: “Many of the kings that came (to the festival) from Lagos, have their roots here. For instance, the Osolo, Oloregun, Elegbe, and so on. We are happy that we are here to celebrate our ancestral festival with him, and all that we have seen here make us happy, particularly the way Olota has transformed Ota, making it more beautiful. We were surprised when we got there. We thank God for this and may God continue to grant him long life and sound health. We have come home, and now that we have come, may it bring more goodness to us all.”

Also speaking at the festival is Erelu Omobolanle Durojaiye, a native and distinguished title holder. She said: “We thank God for the grace to witness this historic event. I also commend our king, Professor Kabir Adeyemi, Oba Lanlegbe (II) for this unique celebration that brings all and sundry together. We have been celebrating this festival for years and it has never been this better. Since his ascension to the throne, the festival has become so popular to the extent that visitors from diaspora come to celebrate this festival. So, we thank our king. May he reign long on the throne of his ancestors.”

Meiza Nigeria