Ijara-Isin Kingdom, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State was all lit with fanfare and merriment, characterized with fireworks and a display of the rich culture.
Indigenes, residents, visitors and friends of the ancient town trooped out in their large numbers to celebrate the second edition of Ojude-Oba Festival.
The annual event which holds every 23rd November of the year, was instituted by the community’s Council of Chiefs to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary of the ascension onto the throne of the Lion King, His Royal Highness, Oba Ajibola Ademola Julius, The Olusin of Ijara-Isin, Amuludun Iluyomade 1.
Olori Ajibola dancing to the rythyms of the traditional drummers
Activities culminating into this year’s Ojude-Oba celebration included a football competition involving all secondary schools in Isin local government, casting of news by Ijara-Isin students, songs, drumming and singing.
Speaking with newsmen at the occasion, the visibly elated Kabiesi who couldn’t conceal his joy and excitement expressed his unalloyed appreciation to the people of Ijara-Isin kingdom, Isin Local Government and the state at large for their consistent goodwill, support and great show of love since his ascension onto the throne of his forefathers.
The monarch who is also the Vice Chairman, Isin Traditional Council was full of praises for the Chiefs, women and youths of the town, whom he said have conducted themselves peacefully so far.
Oba Ajibola dancing together with his Chiefs
He vowed to continually using his resources to the development and benefit his people and would not relent in complementing the good work of the government in Isin Local Government and the state generally.
In his words, “one of the reasons why the people in the Bible demanded for kings is because they want a leader that they can see, touch and complain to and this is exactly what I am doing. I stay with my people and I do everything within my financial means to make them happy. We are expanding our roads and opening up new ones, my youths are putting up billboards and cleaning the entire kingdom”
The olori and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leaders
“We have a very cordial relationship with the present government in the state, the government gave us schools and our teachers are being paid as and when due and I am complementing the government’s effort by financing extra lessons in our schools, this is why our students are doing very well. donate trophies for sporting competitions, especially football, so we hope to produce big players like Ronaldo and Messi in the future.
My kingdom is a beneficiary of the state government’s health insurance scheme, which Iam the ambassador and we are grateful to the government for this”
“Some indigenes of Ijara-Isin who are living abroad sent money through our development association for the development of our town and to the best of my knowledge, the Ijara-Isin development association are putting the donations to good use to further enhance and impact the lives of my people.
As Vice Chairman of Isin Traditional Council, I have an additional responsibility, this is why the good things we are doing here socially and economically are being felt and replicated in surrounding towns and across Isin land” he concluded.
One of the Chiefs of the Kingdom, Engr Theophilus Bolujoko, the Onifon of Ijara-Isin, in an interview was full of praises and accolades to the king and his leadership style, which he described as exemplary and unique.
He alluded to the fact that Ijara-Isin has witnessed great transformation socially, economically and even in terms of infrastructure since the enthronement of the Lion King.
The Chief revealed that, the King’s insistence on local content has placed the town on the world map and fast tracked its development.
It is on record that one of the innovations introduced by the monarch which has not only boosted the economy of the town, but has earned it so much recognition is the introduction of the “TLK Voucher”, a currency that is only legal tender within the community.
According to a financial expert, ths development is an ingenious way of keying into the global cashless policy while making patronising the residents for their economical boom paramount.
