The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi and the Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, are among Yoruba leaders expected to deliberate tomorrow Thursday September 12, 2019 on the spate of insecurity in Yorubaland at a summit that is part of the 2019 Oranyan festival.
Other leaders expected at the discourse include the former Director of Military Intelligence, retired general Ajibola Togun; Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI (comprising Oyo, Osun and Ondo states), Mr Adeleye Oyebade; and the head of Alaafin’s hunters, Ogunbayonle Ojo.
The coordinator of the festival, Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu, told journalists at a press conference kicking off the festival on Monday that the overall objectives of the Oranyan festival included making it “a calendared culture/tourism event documented by the federal and state government culture and tourism ministries.”
Ladigbolu, a retired archbishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, said that the summit would be preceded by a free medical outreach for over 2,000 people.
“Another highlight of our festival this year is the Historical Cities Day, coming up on Wednesday September 4 at Aganju Forecourt, Aafin Oyo. The two cities to be showcased are Offa in Kwara State and Afon in Ogun State. These are two prominent and ancient Yoruba cities with strong historical ties to Oyo.
“Offa was founded by a crown prince of Oyo named Olalomi, a direct descendant of Oranyan, around 1395. He was a renowned hunter for his dexterity as an archer. The legendary Moremi was a native of Offa. Also, the original settlers in Afon migrated from Oyo and founded the town in 1623. The founder was a prince of Obalokun Aganna Erin. The Obas, chiefs and people of these two historic cities will join their kith and kin from all over Yorubaland in celebrating the ties that bind us together, which is our excellent culture, following the footsteps of Ede and Ilaro, who participated in the 2017 Historical Cities Day event.
“All our tourist sites will be opened during the week, and we urge all to visit the leather works and calabash carving craft shops at Owose and Akesan, as well as the Sango shrines and other attractions at the palace and Koso. The Sogidi Stream in Awe and Agidan Hills are open to the public. The National Museum in Aafin Oyo and the Old Oyo National Park Museum are also waiting to receive Oranyan festival visitors,” he said.
