Olu Samuel, Lokoja

The Ilajo Royal family in the ancient town of Kabba , Kogi state has announced awards of scholarships to twenty students who are members of the family.

This is part of the activities lined up to mark the annual Odide day Cultural festival organised by the family with the theme: “Odun ife ati Irepo” (celebration of Love and Unity)

Other activities include free medical outreach to vulnerable members of the family, Odide Praise& Worship, Cultural displays., Folklore and Drama presentation.

In a press statement , available to newsmen in Lokoja in the early hours of Tuesday and signed by the chairman planning committee, Elder J. Oluwole Adebola and the Secretary, Dr Senewo Emmanuel Femi, stated that
Odide Day celebration is meant to celebrate the memories and great achievements of Obaro Odide, the progenitor of the Ilajo Royal family, and to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the ancient town of Kabba.

“This year’s event, which is expected to draw many personalities to the town ,is an annual event that brings
family members both within and outside the country together to fraternize , savour the rich local delicacies, and thank God for His mercies and provision during the outgoing year.” The planning committee chairman said.

He said the celebration will span over three days filled with funfare, praise and worship, free medical outreach ,cultural displays, and conferment of awards to deserving prominent indigenes and non indegenes of the community.

The chairman said the ceremony will be addressed by an erudite professor and a retired military officer, Wing Commander Prof Adetokunbo Rafel Adebola, on an important topic: “Love and Unity as Ingredients for Community Development”

According to the chairman,personalities slated for award of excellence for their outstanding contributions to the development of the Owe community include the president of Kabba Development Union, Engineer Emmanuel Ajibero, head of INTERPOL in Nigeria, AIG Idowu Owohunwa and Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi (rtd) former Defence Chief of Intelligence. Pa Adebiyi , a non indigene, will be honoured for his ” love and commitment to Owe land”

Others to be honoured for their various contributions to the community, he said, are renowned entrepreneur, investment banker and philanthropist Mr Gabriel Adetuuntun Bonidefaye Owope, Mr Banji Jimoh, a renowned banker and former Kogi State governorship aspirant and Olusegun Toluhi, a renowned Engineer , Egg- head and a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God

Others who will be given post humous award of Heroes and Heroins of the Ilajo Royal family are the immediate past Obaro of Kabba, Oba Michael Folorunsho Olobayo, Mr John I Olorunleke, Chief Mrs Margaret Audu and Chief Samuel Adekunle .

“Scholarship awards will be given to 20 Ilajo students in tertiary institutions. Ten of the awards are based on exceptional academic performance while the other ten (10) are in aid of the academic pursuits of beneficiaries” .He added.

A family Banquet will be held on Saturday 28 Dec where the awards and scholarship will be presented and will be rounded up the following day with a family Thanksgiving at the Anglican Cathedral of St Andrews church kabba
He said.