Egboro Day is the annual social-cultural festival of Ijebu-Jesa people which has helped the community grow in no small measure, fostering unity among Ijebu Jesa natives and residents. This year’s edition has come and gone, but its beauty and impact will linger longer than expected.
Marking this year edition in a grand style, the indigenes from all walks of life, residents and friends of Ijebu-Jesa land converged in their hundreds at Ijebu Jesa Grammar School Playground to identify with the town on the commemoration of 2022 Egboro Day and 5th Anniversary of Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa land, HRM Oba (Engr.) Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye, Ilufemiloye Abikehin-Ekun Agunsoye II on the throne.
The annual epoch event commenced with Empowerment Program on Thursday, November 10 at Ijebu-Jesa Town Hall where various trades were taught. Both the resource persons and attendees expressed confidence that the program will go a long way to reduce poverty and unemployment.
This was followed by a press conference on Friday, November 11 by Oba Agunsoye and a Jumat Service held at Ijebu-Jesa Central Mosque. Alhaji Komolafe Mikhail Adebayo preached peace and unity and then offered prayers for the progress of Ijebu-Jesa, her indigenes, residents, and Nigeria at large. Kabiyesi used the medium to enjoin politicians to eschew any form of violence and pleaded with religious leaders to stand firm in preaching the truth for a better society. He also advised the youths not to be a tool in the hands of political jobbers in the forthcoming general elections and beyond. He advocated the acquisition of vocations by our teeming youths to be self-reliant and escape the scourge of unemployment.
The grand finale was held at Ijebu-Jesa Grammar School Playground on Saturday, November 12. Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the event, Prince Gbenga Atitebi eulogized kabiyesi for a restless efforts to make a united and developed community. He also acknowledged the robust engagement of Ijebu-Jesa Unions’ Conference under the able leadership of global president, Engr. Oluwagbemiga Abudiore and Egboro Day Planning Committee for organizing a mouth-watering and memorable festival.
In his welcome speech, the IJUC Global President, Engr. Oluwagbemiga Abudiore lauded the support of natives of Ijebu-Jesa at home and diaspora for the progress of Ijebu-Jesa, especially the on-going Elegboro Modern Palace Project and the just concluded Solar Powered Boreholes donated by IJUC North America. He seeks more collaboration to take the community to an enviable height among the communities and towns.
Oba Agunsoye described his subjects as wonderful and supportive people. Urging them to be more united and double their efforts in community development. He went down memory lane to mentioned many Ijebu Jesa self-help projects. He thereafter announced a whopping donation of 2.5milliom naira on behalf of him and his adorable wife Queen Omolara Agunsoye and another one million naira donated by his children making a total of 3.5million naira. Other donations include 5million naira from the illustrious son and APC House of Representatives candidate in the 2023 general elections, Hon. Seun Odofin. 1million naira from Osun East Senator, Adenigba Fadahunsi, and other donations.
In attendance were many notable royal fathers like Ajalaye of Ipetu Ijesa, HRM Oba Samson Agunbiade, Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, HRM Oba (Dr) Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe,Olodogo of Odogo Ijesa, HRH Oba Adebisi Owoeye, APC House of Representative candidate for 2023 Election, Hon. Seun Odofin, Oriade Local Government Chairman, Hon. Bunmi Obeisun, House of Assembly Member, Hon Desmond Ojo, Elegboro-in-Council, clergymen, traditionalists, clubs, and associations alongside representatives of Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, HIM Oba Adekunle Aromolaran CFR, LLB.
The climax of the week-long Egboro Day was a Thanksgiving Service held at CAC No 1, Oke Anu District Headquarters, Ijebu-Jesa. The service was well attended by Kabiyesi Elegboro, Oba (Engr.) Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye, Ilufemiloye Abikehin-Ekun Agunsoye II who was flanked by his wife Olori Omolara Agunsoye, Olodogo of Odogo Ijesa, HRH Oba Adebisi Owoeye, Elegboro-in-Council led by Saba of Ijebu Jesa, High Chief Ojo Fasosin, Hon Seun Odofin, Hon Bunmi Obeisun, representatives of clubs and societies among others.
In his sermon, the District Head, Pastor Ajayi Timothy admonished indigenes of Ijebu-Jesa to show more love and help the less privileged folks in the town. He illustrated Ile Oluji method of community help where each family annually sponsor at least a member to oversee. He submitted that the method has given a significant number of foreign-based Ile Oluji natives and thus brought unprecedented developments to the community.
