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| Panel of justice, from left, Chief Adegbioye Onigbinde, Pa Jimi Solanke and Prof Owolabi |
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| Barrister Kolapo Alimi, Rep of Osun state governor flanked by Other commissioners at the function |
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| Opa Oranmiyan and Oranmiyan shrine Ile Ife |
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| Olu Omo of Ile Ife |
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| Mr .Lawrence Omidiora of FLABSY Travel and Tours with leader of OPC Otunba Gani Adams |
Ile Ife , the ancestral home of the Yoruba race, the home of the deities and the source as it is called was in celebration mood over the weekend as people from all walks of life gathered in the ancient town to celebrate one of the legend, founder of Empire, kingdoms , dynasty and one of the prominent warriors among the Odudwa children simply identified as Oranmiyan or
Oranyan. And some of the people who witnessed the formal inclusion and celebration of Oranmiyan festivals in said it is a good development in a right direction.
History has it that Oranmiyan has his root in Ile Ifer, reigned as the 6th Ooni of Ife, as first Oba of Benin and First Alaafin of Oyo, he has his son who also reigned as Ooni , Alaafin and Benin.
while describing Oranmiyan Olasoji babatunde of Eredumi quarters in Ife one of the men guarding the shrine told Alainka that, his real name was not Oranmiyan it was the success of the divination that was done for him when he was young that made him to change his name to oranmiyan “ my case is positive “ so that was why he is today been called oranmiyan, he is an hefty huge human being from Eredumi, oranmiyan had a great impact in Yoruba race because he is a legend, a holy person who detest dirt and unholy things. And that is why this sacred place is where people come and pray and there prayer is being answer.
The 3 days programmed which featured lectures, paying homage to the oni of Ife, award presentation to best drummer, traditional display and other programmes that enhances promotion of cultural values of Yoruba people was packaged by FLABSY travel and tours Limited, an event management consulting firm that with penchant for promotion of core tradition and cultural value of different tribes and race.
Speaking with Alarinka, one of the directors of FLABSY , Mr Lawrence Omidiora said, We are involved in celebrating Oranmiyan because we have absolute belief that it worth being celebrated , we have verifiable fact and a staff and shrine that actually serve as an evidence that he existed and everything been said about him can be proven as indicated by the opa oranmiyan at the oranmiyan shrine here and that is really why we want to project it to the entire world far beyond the way it is being done before , we are out to raise the consciousness of the entire world to the fact that Oranmiyan is one of the world legend who originated from ile ife in Nigeria Africa and do exploit during his life time”.
He said further that, “ that is why we organized three day powerful events that showcased our belief in the deities , the three days event was arranged in such a way that it will involved everybody, and if you move round you will see in some quarters in Ile Ife where they are also celebrating Oranmiyan festival, we have started on a good note and we are hoping to improve on it in subsequent years.
The Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuade in his good will message said “ we have been celebrating Oranmiyan on our own way in Ile Ife for ages. The festival of Oranmiyan is being done yearly to announce the commencement of Odun Olojo when the Oni of Ife wears Aare crown which was first won by Oduduwa. Three possible dates for celebration of Odun Olojo can only be presented to the Oni during the celebration of Oranmiyan festivals. We decided that Oranmiyan festival should come to the fore once when we notice the basterdization and demystification been wrapped around the place of glory and the historical significance of this great deity to ile –Ife.”
, Oba Sijuade said “ I must state this, as the custodian of the house of Oduduwa that as long as all of us are Yorubas and our origins are traced to Ile Ife, the various festivals are our festivals and our collective efforts are required to ensure that their celebrations are successful .our focus therefore is to strengthen the bond that bind us together and sustain our common history, our history should be our bond and no reason for it to divide us”.
The Ooni also commended the governors of the Yoruba speaking state for their effort in promoting Yoruba culture and traditions saying “ I am happy to say that policies of our various government in Yorubaland have assisted in maintaining the cultural identity and strengthening emotional, cultural, and spiritual bonds that bind them to their origin, Ile –Ife, the source. From Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo ,Ogun, Lagos to Osun, the governors have been working tirelessly to promote cultures of our people, they are developing and opening up the cultural sites and monument for tourism purposes, these efforts are to draw people to appreciate the wonders in our lands”.
Adding that “ our traditional rulers in various towns and villages have also been promoting their culture and historical places, the Ataoja of Osogbo recently celebrated Osun Oshogbo, Orangun of Ila celebrated his community festival and the Alaafin of Oyo remembered and celebrated Oranyan as the founder of Oyo dynasty, there are many more celebrations of our cultural heritage going all over Yorubaland revamped and maintained.
The governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in his address said he identified with Oranmiyan and the people of Ile Ife as he believed in his prowess while alive, as a lover of the Oranmiyan , I think it was not out of place to name my campaign organization Oranmiyan because he fought and won wars, the same way we fought for our right and won”
Ogbeni Aregbesola who was represented by Barrister Kolapo Alimi, honourable commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy matter said, the government of Osun will not relent in its continuous effort at developing and initiating programmes and policies that will enhance the development of our culture and tradition as a bond of Unity.
The leader and founder of Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams in a chat with Alarinka was of the opinion that celebrating Oranmiyan should not be limited to any where. According to him, Oranmiyan was. a prominent deity who ruled, in Ile Ife, Oyo, Benin and other places, so it is not out of place for other towns and city in Yorubaland to celebrate Oranmiyan festival and others being celebrated in Ile Ife the cradle of Yoruba people.
According to him “we can have hundreds of communities celebrating Oranmiyan festival likewise Odua festival .Although we did not pray for disunity we believe what is happening is an opportunity to popularize our deities. We belief that by next year, there will be an improvement . You know things are not done to perfection once .There is no festival we started that would be excellent in packaging in one two, three, until you are getting to the five, sixth edition. So I have moved round the groove andI saw some places that we can used for grand finale which can occupy nothing less than 10,000 people conveniently .I am going to speak to the governor of Osun State so that they can build a place like Osun Osogbo around the Opa Oramiyan grove ”.
Another traditional ruler who claimed to be a descendant of Oranmiyan, Oba Abimbola Akinyele, Olu of Ijeni, Famia said celebrating Oranmiyan festival is a good development “as you can see that we are all elated to be here, I came with my people to be actively involved in the celebration because Oranmiyan is our father “.
The Akogun of Ife, Oloye J.A Owoyomi Akogun said that the festival is important because Oranmiyan is an important personality, he was somebody who used to rescue Ile Ife during war time . He was a king, the sixth in Ife .He established many dynasties and empires including Oyo town. He is from Ife and we have to celebrate him, we have been doing it before but not in this elaborate manner and we are happy with the way it is been packaged this year “
