South West
Ayan-agalu Drum Festival: Why Ooni drums for peace
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, last Thursday in Ile-Ife displayed his unknown talent as a drummer when he dazzled the teaming participants at the closing session of the annual Ayangalu Drum Festival during which he took up the symbolic African talking drum called ‘IYA ILU’ which he beats for peace and tranquility of Nigeria especially during this electioneering period in the country.
While narrating that the talking aspect of drumming originally came from animals, the African foremost monarch who at the closing ceremony held at the OJAJA ARENA inside Ife Grand Resort along Ibadan road, Ile-Ife, Ooni described drum as a vital tool for communicating peaceful coexistence globally.
Earlier, during the flag-off ceremony of the festival, held on Wednesday, at his Ile-Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, Adeyeye said the Oduduwa race was the first tribe to beat the drum in the whole world, saying the festival has to do with rhythm of drum which has to do with connection of the spiritual connotations.
“Globally, people usually called our ancestors animists, because they had a strong relationship with them.
“The Ayan Agalu festival has been in existence from a time memorial as one of the deities. No matter the tribe, either black, white or brown, the world cannot do without the drum.The whole world has done a lot in the rhythm of drum as it concerned.
“Basically, We are just remembering our ancestors and giving them the honour that is due to them, I urge the Oodua race worldwide, Yorubas in particular to jointly continue celebrating Ayan Agalu so as to let the whole world know that the the drum originated from us,” Ooni declared.
According to him, Ayangalu descended next to Oduduwa place called Atiba in Ile-Ife from where Oranmiyan moved to found Oyo Kingdom, stressing that Atiba has since remained the hub of traditional drummers in Ile-Ife till date.
Ooni Ogunwusi, who is the natural head of Oduduwa race, also emphasised roles played by Orunmila in the drumming communication being the deity that first decoded the meaning of the drum and things that had to do with it.
“Our ancestors used drum majorly for communication, for it goes beyond entertainment and till date Yoruba people use drum for communication and as a vital tool for preaching peace and harmony.
“By the spirit of Ayangalu festival, we use the rhythm and tone to communicate peace and peaceful coexistence to our people.
“We are like the barometer in the next electioneering campaign in Nigeria, Osun gubernatorial election is coming up in the next two to three weeks and that will lead to major election in Nigeria by next year January,” Oba Ogunwusi stated.
“We know that things are hard especially in the issue of security in Nigeria, celebrating Ayangalu will make us focus on peace and peaceful coexistence. Let’s remain steadfast in promoting our cultural heritage for our collective progress.”
Also, the Ayangalu Ambassador, who doubles as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Adire Oodua Hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, commended Ooni for celebrating our female deities and other heroines such as Moremi, Olokun, Osun, Osara and Ayan-Agalu among others.
Ademiluyi said that Ayan-Agalu was a patron deity of drumming who deserves to be celebrated. She also lauded Ooni for championing gender equality by letting the whole world know that Ayan-Agalu was a female deity.
He added that over 200 children would be trained during a planned workshop on how to make drums and how to become a drummer with a view to sustaining the traditional drumming culture of Ayan-Agalu.
Ms Ayoola Ibukun, who is known as Bisola Omoge Bata, who is the Face of Ayan-Agalu Festival 2022, expressed her gratitude to the Ooni for making her Face of the Festival and enjoined Nigerians to show interest in showcasing the African drumming to the world.
“Let me start by thanking my father, the Ooni of Ife to have found me worthy as the Face of this Ayan-Agalu Festival 2022. I also thank our team leader and ambassador, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi for her leadership, May I enjoin our people in Nigeria and Africa to show interest in this African drumming brand so that the legacy of our ancestors is well sustained,” Omoge Bata said.
The Ogbomoso, Oyo State born Award-winning Nigeria’s first female “Bata” drummer maintained that Ayan-Agalu festival essentially celebrates of a uniquely significant communicative aspect of the Yoruba culture as manifested in the use of proverbs which are associated with the sounds of the drums in their various forms and components.
Equally, the foremost female talking drummer in Africa, Aralola Olamuyiwa popularly known as ARA who was appointed 6 years ago Cultural Ambassador to the Ooni described African Drums as inherent importance of communication which valued by the indigenous African peoples saying that every sound produced by the drum is a form of art and beauty that motivates happiness lasting excitement of the Africans.
“Ayan is popularly described as the drumming spirit. Anywhere the drum is sound, it will be appropriate to assume that the Orisa of Drum and Music Ayan is around to give us happiness and lasting excitement,” Ara said.
Ayan-Agalu is one of the cultural festivals annually held in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, the cradle and spiritual headquarters of the Oduduwa race in celebration of the uniqueness and craftsmanship of Ayan Agalu, the deity of associated with drums, sounds and celebrations.
Itesiwaju Entertaining Group from Lagos exhibited a beautiful performance adjudged by the cheering audience to have won the competition but failed due to their choice of western dress to the cultural event.
In attendance were Olofin Iseri Awori, HRM Oba Adekunle Bamgbade, Apetu of Ipetumodu, HRM Oba (Prof) Olugbenga Oloyede, the Salu of Edunabon, HRM Oba Kehinde Oladepo, the Atta of Ayede-Ekiti, HRM Oba Abdumumini Orisagbemi, the Alara of Araodaye-Ife, HRM Oba Olusegun Layade and Atayero of Aramoko Ekiti, HRH Olusegun Aderemi were among traditional rulers and dignitaries who graced the occasion.
By Sodiq Adelakun
Members of the Old Students Association of Odogbolu Grammar School’s 1979/84 set gathered on Friday, June 28, to commemorate significant milestones and reaffirm their commitment to supporting their alma mater.
The occasion marked 45 years since their admission to the school and 40 years since their graduation.
Speaking at the 40th-anniversary press conference, The Alumni President, Bolade Ogunfodun (BOT) emphasised the association’s dedication to giving back to the institution that shaped their formative years.
Highlighting their contributions over the years, President Ogunfodun announced the completion of a block of renovated classrooms, the provision of 120 new ironed chairs, and support for sporting activities among others.
“The essence of our reunion is to give back,” President Ogunfodun stated, reiterating the alumni’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational facilities and opportunities at Odogbolu Grammar School.
Among the distinguished alumni present was Prof. Adebola Osipitan, a former president and head boy of the 79/84 set, who spoke passionately about the alumni’s broader impact.
He revealed that the association has been creating welfare and job opportunities for members’ children and extending assistance to students and teachers alike.
“We began our efforts while some of us were still students, Our approach has always prioritised collaboration over pressure, laying a strong foundation for the association’s enduring structure,” Prof. Osipitan said.
Meanwhile, former students gathered to reminisce about their alma mater, recalling tough but transformative discipline, coordinated efforts among peers, and other formative experiences that shaped their lives.
In response to the reunion, Vice Principal Mr Oyibo expressed gratitude for the alumni’s commitment to their school and praised their initiative in launching projects aimed at benefiting current teachers and students.
…Says Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport nears inauguration
By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade has said the inter-state rail system is strategic for the development of the South West region.
Akinmade made this known while speaking on the topic ‘Regional Integration and Development: The case of Ogun State’ at the Western Post 2024 annual retreat in Abeokuta.
He explained that upon the assumption of office of Governor Abiodun in 2019, he strategically came up with idea of speedy development through the concept of Multi-modal Transport Management System, which connects the State with others in the region through air, water, rail and road and as well gives access to the rest of the world.
Hon. Akinmade noted that with railway interconnectivity, development in the southwest would be faster as the movement of people and goods is made easier.
“The inter-state rail system that cuts across the states in the Southwest have been efficiently explored by Ogun State for effective connectivity in the region. Presently, the state has more rail stations than any other States; there are five different stations within the stretch of Lagos and Ibadan alone.
“With an efficient rail system, an indigene of Ado-Ekiti can secure employment in Ogun State, get to office everyday from Ekiti and return at the closing hour around 5pm, and before 7pm he will be back in Ado-Ekiti.
“That is the type of regional integration we are institutionalising in the State so that individuals in any of the States in the region can freely interact, transact and relax in the State without hindrance,” he said.
The Special Adviser stated that oil exploration would soon commence in the state and that it would put the region on a more viable economic footing.
He reassured that the Gateway International Agro-Cargo airport would be inaugurated soon, saying that it would be the best in the West Africa corridor with the largest runway and apron.
Akinmade stated that the airport would bring great relief to thousands of manufacturers operating in the State to get imported materials with ease and also transport their finished goods to the rest of the world without facing the traffic snarl in Lagos.
He explained that the airport would serve as a potent regional development tool and means of connectivity among the states of the region and with the rest of the world.
“Our government is presently working on a dry port at Kajola, which will sufficiently complement the Agro-Cargo Airport in the area of importation and exportation of raw materials and finished goods by manufacturers, and by implication serve as a better alternative to the Lagos Port that is often characterised by heavy congestion,” said Akinmade.
The Special Adviser disclosed that the government had constructed over 500km of roads across the State to make mobility easier and connect other States more effectively, adding that the roads had made regional integration possible considering the strategic location of Ogun State in the region.
“Of profound interest is the recent resolution by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to start oil exploration in Ogun State and make the State an oil-producing State, which in the next twelve months will begin to unfold and put the region on a more viable economic footing.
“Our administration has invested heavily in agriculture to ensure food security, and just last week, the Governor allocated expansive lands to state lawmakers for the purpose of aggressive mechanised farming. It may interest you to know that our State is presently the largest producer of poultry products and cassava in the country.
“Imbued with unwavering commitment to speedy development of the State and the region at large, through his ISEYA mantra, which encompasses : Infrastructure, Social Welfare and Wellbeing, Education, Youths Empowerment and Job Creation and lastly Agriculture, Prince Dapo Abiodun, upon his assumption of office, strategically came up with very brilliant idea of speedy development through the concept of Multi-modal Transport Management system, which connects the State with other states in the region through air, water, rail and road and as well gives access to the rest of the world.
“That is the type of regional integration we are institutionalising in the State so that individuals in any of the States in the region can freely interact, transact and relax in the State without hindrance,” said Akinmade.
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke is set to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme, targeting thousands of young farmers across the agricultural value chain.
Adeleke disclosed that nothing less than 1,000 hectares of land will be allocated to each local government for the programme.
This was contained in a statement signed by Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke assured stakeholders that farm inputs, tractorisation and issue of food security are being addressed by his government.
The Governor said his plans for the agricultural sector is robust and all inclusive , adding that “the state is now set for implementation of various programmes in the sector.”
He said, “We take Agriculture very seriously. Our government decided to first focus on bridging the infra deficit to strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas. We first focused on building the roads and bridges as a condition to empower the agricultural sector in the area of transportation and market linkages.
“Now that we have made enormous progress in the infra sector, we are now set to roll out specific programmes for the agricultural sector. I have set up an implementation committee on the recommendations of our food security committee.
“The Committee which is to be chaired by my Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon Olaniran Akanfe has the mandate to put into effect the suggestions and proposals in the food committee report. Other members of the committee include Olusola Omole, Dr Alaba Towoju, Dr Olu Olajide, Hon Moshood Yakub, Hon Alexander Kehinde Oloke, Adelowo Adekunle Saburi, Kolade Tunde (TISKO) and Engr Badmus Bukola Mikail. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture is to serve as the Secretary of the Committee while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Tola Faseru serves as overall Coordinator.
“As we kickstart the implementation of the food security committee, our government is to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme which is to target thousands of young farmers and agropreneurs across the agricultural value chain.
“The programme will include at least 1,000 hectares of Land per local government; provision of land clearing and tractorisation; availability of inputs; guaranteed offtaking; all season irrigation farming; integration of hydroponic farming; integration of precision farming and emphasis on gender balancing and inclusivity.
“My Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Faseru is to chair the Action committee which will have representatives from ALGON, traditional institutions among others. Other members of the action committee will include Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Land; Surveyor General of the state; Director Agriculture services at the Ministry of Agriculture; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth; President, Osun Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Adegoke Taiwo Kamal; a representative of farm equipment leasers and Hon Hezekiah Olabamiji Oladele(HOB).
“I have also directed the Commissioner to host a meeting with real farmers on our various farmlands in the state. The Commissioner is to meet genuine farmers to strengthen our partnership as we launch various programmes within the sector.
“On tractorisation, this is another piece of good news. The state has acquired some tractors while the Commissioner has been directed to negotiate a leasing deal with the tractor hiring association. We are also repairing existing tractors.
“For those into plantation farming, we are raising seedlings across the crop sectors. We are starting with cashew and cocoa.
“More importantly, our government is working on reviving the cocoa industry as well as supporting agro processing through public private partnership. We welcome investors and partners in this critical sector,” the statement added.
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