Olusi of Usi Oba Felix Akande flanked by members of the links club while Commissioning the round about constructed by the club in Ekiti
As sons, daughters and friends of Usi Ekiti mingled excitedly through the town and especially the St Andrew Primary School play ground venue of the yearly Usi Day celebration, one cannot look forward to when the calendar will swing 360 degrees to bring another fiesta.
It had been one long but activity packed week. It was 3 August, 2013. And it was the grand finale of the weeklong celebration graced by the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, members of the legislature, traditional rulers, captains of industries, religious leaders among others.
The programme which was hosted by Victory Club of Usi under the leadership of Mr Remi Agbetuyi featured both local and continental games and event such as marathon race, Ayo olopon, debate for students, beauty pageant and dancing competition, traditional dance homage to the king by chiefs and different families, football competitions, launching of book on the history of Usi, launching of development fund for the community and ended with a grand finale at St Andrew Primary School, Usi- Ekiti. The festival is also a platform for reunion of old friends also signalled the indivisibility and oneness of Usi people irrespective of political or religion affiliations. Usi-Ekiti is one of the major towns in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
It is bordered in the North by Ayetoro- Ekiti, South by Ido-Ekiti, East by Ewu-Ekiti and West by Ilogbo-Ekiti. Usi-Ekiti originated from Ile-Ife. The time of their departure from Ile-Ife falls within pre-history times since there were no written records.
Legend, however, has it that the progenitor of Usi people, Usikorode, was an Ile-Ife prince who approached his father, Lafogido, the then reigning Ooni for blessing as he and his followers were to launch an expendition to found another kingdom just like his brother princes.
Lafogido gave him his blessing and in addition gave him some paraphernalia of royalty which included a beaded crown, a beaded walking stick, beaded horse tail, a sword, a brass cup and a piece of cloth which would be spread on his throne whenever he finally settled.
Usi Day celebration started in August 1981 as an avenue to gather together Usi sons and daughters home and abroad and their friends. Another objective of inauguration of the day is to familiarise indigenes residing outside the town with their root.
Though the ceremony is a cultural affair, its programmes usually include religious services in churches and mosque. Usi Day celebration has become a whole week affair.
The Saturday grand finale began with the congregation of indigenes and well wishers at the St. Andrew’s Primary School play ground, with allocated places for the different ebis, traditional and honorary chiefs, visitors and the monarch and his queens. The event was kick started with the monarch emerging in full regalia from the palace and amidst heart throbbing rhythm of ancient drums with retinue of aides to the venue where people were already seated.
Then came the rendition of the town’s anthem, prayers, review of the outgoing year, paying of homage and pledging loyalty to the oba and the joyous dance of the different families (Ebis) in turns. The Olusi of Usi oba Felix Akande Arokoyo I in his welcome address commemded the people of Usi- Ekiti for their cooperation particularly on the security issues and developmental projects in the town and urged them not to relent in their effort at bringing industries to the community.
While welcoming the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi to Usi, Oba Akande commended the governor for infrastructural development and his effort at cultural rejuvenation in the state promising that the traditional rulers in the state will not relent in their effort at supporting the government to promote culture and tradition.
Fayemi in his address disclosed that virtually all the communities in the state has benefited from community projects embarked upon by his administration. He also promised to do more to enhance development in the state. The governor harped on the promotion of culture and tourism and urged traditional rulers and stakeholders in Yorubaland to ensure the propagation of the Yoruba culture and language as a means of teaching and communication.
“A tribe that will go into extinction will begin by losing its language and as Yoruba people we are known for unique tradition and rich cultural inheritances which must not be allowed to die,” the governor stressed.
He however lauded Usi people for the demonstration of unity exhibited during the celebration and called on other communities to emulate them. Governor Fayemi added: “I must commend Kabiyesi, the Olusi and all indigenes of Usi for not only maintaining the status of Usi Ekiti as one of the educationally advantaged towns, but for continuing to dazzle all with its package of Usi Day celebration which waxes stronger and stronger each year with astounding innovation and exciting merriment.”
The president of the host club, Mr Remi Agbetuyi, in his address also commended the people of Usi, and the state government for their support in ensuring a successful 32nd annual Usi-Ekiti day festival. He assured them that the club would continue to contribute to the development of the community and the state at large
The Ajana of Usi kingdom, Chief Abiodun Ogunsusi, said Usi day celebration is not only for the ancestors but also celebration of peace, love, unity and progress of the town’s sons and daughters both home and abroad.
Shedding light on the new dimensions to the celebration of Usi day, Agbetuyi said that the modernisation of the carnival dance, callisthenic’s display and street carnival is to give the younger ones a sense of belonging in the celebration.
“We started this last year and we have to bring in programmes that will make the younger ones interested in the annual event. Not many of them will be privy to understand what we discuss at the main field but once they participate in the carnival, they won’t feel isolated,” he added.
