The ancient town of Okeho, Kajola Local Government area of Oyo State was on Saturday, November 26, 2022 filled as top politicians, academia, business moguls, and others thronged the community for Okeho Day Celebration 2022.
The playing ground of Local Authority (Special) Primary School, Olele, Okeho, Kajola Local Government Headquarters was filled to the brim while numerous attendees, had to wait outside the venue while the programme was in progress.
Okeho Day Celebration 2022, which had the Theme – “Operation Lighting Up Okeho”, was a week-long programme that took off from Sunday, 20th to 26th November 2022.
The events featured a series of programmes for each day, as church service began on Sunday, November 20 at First Baptist Church, Isia, Okeho.
While the clean-up exercise took place on Monday, November 21, Tuesday, November 22 featured a quiz competition among secondary schools at the Okeho Town Hall.
In order not to forget the earlier settlement, a visit was made to Ahoro Okeho on Wednesday, November, where the visitors paid a visit to all strategic and historical areas at the place. A political summit was also held on the topic “Redefining Politics for Development of Okeho” where speakers, Hon Odeneye Kehinde and Dr Adebimpe Aderonmu did justice to the topic.
Thursday, November 24 which featured the topic – “Economic Summit on Sustaining Business in a Changing World: Multi-Generational Focus for Poverty Alleviation in Okeho”, had Dr Dele Oyeku, Prof. Mrs Grace Oluokoi, and Dr Olatunde Oladokun as speakers and justices for the topic.
Friday, November 25 had Cultural Display, Talent Hunt at the place of monarch, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Adeitan II, while Jumat Service was held at Okeho Central Mosque, Gbonje in the ancient town.
The grand finale that took place took place on Saturday, November 26 aimed at launching of #300 million for the lighting-up Okeho Project received many dignitaries across the length and breadth of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, Senator Buhari Abdul- Fatai, ably represented by Alhaji Wasiu Oladimeji Dauda Azuzu, Alhaji Ahmed Raji, SAN who was represented by Alhaji Saheed Adejare Alaran, Hon Soliu Abu Gbadamosi, the APC Candidate for Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, Hon Shinna Peller, Hon Sola Ogunbode, the Accord Candidate for House of Representatives, Hon Oyeshina Oyedeji, Hon saliman Borikansunwon and other top politicians and government functionaries.
Similarly, numerous academia and business moguls across reputable academic institutions and business organisations were in attendance.
The council of traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun ranged from Okere of Sakiland, Alepata of Igboho, Iba of Kisi, Alagere of AgoAre, the Elero of Ileroland, the Onisemi of Isemiland and others were in attendance.
In their appreciation, the Onjo of Okeholand, Oba Rafiu Mustapha Osuolale Adeitan II, thanked all attendees for their attendance despite many profitable and life worthy appointments and engagements, adding that no amount of words nor expressions could thank them all.
The Chairman Planning Committee, High Prince Dr Leye Babalola said that the Okeho Day Celebration 2022 was aimed at lighting up Okeho for the sake of illuminating the community, adding that they have noted the complaint of poor brightness of earlier installed solar lights and they have increased them all to 200 watts.
The Secretary, Planning Committee, Pastor TIM Amosun thanked God for protecting and guiding all participants in the programme, reiterating that the week-long programme was a hitch-free one from the beginning to the end.
Hon Isiaka Olalekan Salami Obè, a member of the Planning Committee and former chairman, of Kajola Local Government disclosed that the programme was marvellous and unexpected as indigenes and dignitaries contributed their quotas to make the celebration unique and memorable, stressing that they would all make judicious use of the donations to execute the needed projects.
In another vein, on placards displayed by Okeho indigenes on the alleged marginalisation of the ancient town by the Oyo State government, Obe submitted that they have spoken minds of people and people would be on expectation of fulfilment of a promise as made by the Deputy Governor.
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