Indigenes of Igbodigo community home and abroad were in ecstatic mood on Saturday when they celebrated the annual Egudu Day Festival and the 20th coronation anniversary of Oba John Ola Aiyeku, Akinyomi I, the Obagberume of Igbodigo town, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The occasion, which also featured the launching of a N50 million fund raising for community developmental projects, brought out the best in the people of the ancient town as they came out in their different traditional dresses of various makes and colours to celebrate the triple events.
Addressing the people, the grand-host of the ceremony who also doubles as Chief Olowogboyega of the community, Dr. Iyiola Aiyeku, in his speech, entitled: “Who and What Egudu Are,” congratulated Oba Aiyeku and the people of the community over the celebration.
He equally lauded them over various self-developmental efforts embarked upon by the indigenes of the town as well as organising the annual Egudu Day Festival, noting that the celebration of the social event annually has assisted greatly in propelling the people towards self-development and unity.
Aiyeku went down memory lane on the historical background of the ancient community, advocating the need for cultural traditional revival in the town.
He said such a move will further foster cultural development among the indigenes.
He equally advocated the need for several indigenes of the town at home and in the diaspora to embark cultural education among the youths and children in the town, saying the move would not only preserve the culture, norms and value of the community, but also prevent it from going into extinction.
Chief Olowogboyega used the occasion to enumerate various challenges facing the community, which he listed to include lack of good roads, inadequate electricity supply, shortage of portable water supply, and lack of skill acquisition centre among others.
He called on the government to assist the community in tackling some of these challenges.
He enjoined the indigenes of the town especial those in the diaspora to come home to establish bussiness as part of the move towards developing their hometown.
Earlier in his speech, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Femi Agagu, congratulated Oba Aiyeku on the celebration of his 20th coronation anniversary and the annual Egudu Day Festival.
Akeredolu reiterated the determination of his administration to support various communities within the state that embark on self-development projects.
He urged the people to sustain the tempo of developmental projects.
Akeredolu equally appealed to the people for a greater support for his administration and assured them that he would continue to initiate new programmes that would help to improve their lots.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Egudu Day Planning Pommittee, High Chief Abiodun Ayetan, congratulated Oba Aiyeku on his 20th coronation anniversary and expressed appreciation to all indigenes of the community, especially those that have made meaningful contributions to the luadable objectives of the Egudu Development Association.
Ayetan used the occasion to pay glowing tribute to members of the Egudu Day 2017 planning committee for what he described as their positive contributions towards the development of the town.
He emphasized the need for collective responsibility as a panacea to socio-economic, cultural and political underdevelopment in any society.
In his royal message, Oba Aiyeku, a Justice of Peace, expressed happiness over the celebration.
He equally expressed appreciation to several indigenes of the community over their support extended to him in the last 20 years.
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