By Sunday Afolayan
The growing fortune of Igogo Ekiti, headquarters of Ero Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ekiti State, has recently received a boost as two eminent sons of the town were honoured for engineering peace and sustainable development.
They were among notable personalities, including Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, the Visioner and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Are Afe Babalola, among others, who were recognised on the World Peace Day by #EkitiPeace Day Festival for their contributions to the development of Ekiti communities.
While the 19th century war veteran and one of the Ekiti Parapo War commanders from Igógo Ekiti, the late Eisinkin Òkèjẹmù Ẹkùn, was awarded a posthumous honour for his expolits during the Kiriji War between 1877 and 1893, the Bobagunwa of Igogo Ekiti Kingdom and medical practitioner, Dr Kolawole Ojo, was honoured with International Peace Ambassador for his invaluable contributions to peace and selfless service to humanity, which has earned him a global acclaim.
Speaking in Otun Ekiti – venue of the ceremony – the #EkitiPeace Award convener, Femi Alufa, Esq. said the annual event is aimed at showcasing and supporting peace initiative and sustainable development, in line with the United Nations Peace Policy.
He observed that the various personalities on the 2023 list of awardees, as usual, were carefully selected, saying they were people of impecable characters, who have not only made remarkable achievements in their chosen carreers, but also impacted values to humanity and societal development.
In the ceremony, which attracted a cross section of first class traditional rulers and other emminent personalities in Ekiti State and beyond, Alufa also hinted that the #EkitiPeace Day Festival remains an ultimate honour to celebrate the universal value of peace, freedom and societal transformation which the Kiriji warlords, such as Fabunmi of Oke-Imesi, Faboro of Ido Ekiti, among others, fought for during the Kiriji War that lasted for 16 years.
He called for unity in diversity among the Nigerian society. While alluding that no nation can be truly great without unity, he stressed that the Kiriji war would not have been won if the warlords were not knitted in unity to fight against the Ibadan invaders and other intruders.
The two awards were received by the Onigogo of Igogo Ekiti Kingdom, Oba (Barr.) Sunday Olusola Adewumi, JP, on behalf of the two awardees.
Speaking with newsmen after the ceremony, Oba Adewumi expressed gratitude for the recognition accorded the late war veteran Eisinkin ÒkèjẹmùẸkùn and Dr Kolawole Ojo for their impact on the peace and development of Ekiti people.
Hinging on the need to live a beneficial life, Oba Adewumi, who was flanked by Igogo Ekiti high chiefs and other important dignitaries, enjoined the awardees to continue their good works while others should emulate the selfless service for which they were recognised, saying however late, every deed would surely be rewarded.
The posthumous award has been described as a great honour, not for descendants of the Òkèjẹmù Ẹkùn alone but for the whole of Igógo Ekiti Kingdom.
Speaking with Newsstardom reporters from his New Jersey home in the United States, Dr Ojo – author of the well acclaimed “Compedium of Igogo Ekiti Kingdom” – thanked the #EkitiPeace Day festival organisers for recognising him in the midst of several other worthy individuals in Ekiti State.
He particularly paid glowing tribute to the Onigogo of Igogo Ekiti, his service chiefs and other dignitaries for their solidarity during the event.
Against this backdrop, he promised to continue to render more laudable services, not only to his immediate community but also to humanity in general.
More Stories
Aiyedatiwa gets royal blessing as he begins LG campaign tour with stakeholders engagement
Aiyedatiwa re-appoints Adeleye as Ondo Amotekun Commander
Aiyedatiwa’s Multi-Pronged Approach to Ensure Food Security