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Come Saturday, September 23, 2023, all roads leading to the ancient City of Ibadan, Oyo State, would be busy as different people from all walks of life would be gracing the 2023 Yoruba National Day Celebration.

According to a statement signed by the Aare-Apapo (President – General), of the Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba (Grand Council of Yoruba Youths), Ajijagbara (Comrade) AWA Bamiji, the event is scheduled to hold inside Western House of Assembly Hall, House of Assembly, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, by 11am prompt.

The day, the group said, will feature Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Special Guest of Honour, while the Six (6) Executive Governors of Yoruba extraction are Guests of Honour.

Our Special Guests are Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Araba of Osogbo; Prof (Mrs) Bolanle Awe; Chief Lere Paimo (a.k.a Eda Onile Ola), Yoruba Veteran Actor; Prof Sabitu Olagoke, JP, the Spiritual Leader of Shafaudeen Islamic Center, Worldwide; Dr Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Iron and Steel Development and Comrade Moshood Erubami, Convener, Voters’ Assembly.

Chief Adebisi Akande, former Interim National Chairman of All Progressives’ Congress (APC) (South) would be the Chairman of occasion while General Buba Marwa (Rtd) from Adamawa State (North) would Co-Chair the gathering.

Hosts are the leading June 12 Activists in and outside Nigeria to be coordinated by His Excellency, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State.

Dr Kunle Olajide, former Secretary, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) and Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, former first Lady of Oyo State, are father and mother of the day respectively, the organisers said.

The annual lecture, “Tinubu, Oke Agba l’ogun yi o, ni Oruko Yoruba, ko mo gbodo baje o”, “Tinubu, you are No 1 in Nigeria Today, through Yoruba Presidency, try and serve well”, which would be in form of admonition, would by delivered by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife; Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, Chairman, Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and notable Leader of Afenifere, who is based in Lagos State, and Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chairman, Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), all representing most audible platforms of Yoruba land.

“The Royal fathers of the day are Their Imperial Majesties, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II and Oba (Senator) Dr Mahud Olalekan Balogun Ali Okunmade II, Ooni of Ife and Olubadan of Ibadanland respectively. The laudable contributions of various individuals and Organisations, from different Regions in Nigeria, most especially, the members of Nigerian Traditional Council, to the electoral victory of Mr President would be publicly acknowledged same day through annual presentation of Beautiful Odu’a Award Plaques.

“The reconciliatory efforts of our Royal fathers before the APC Presidential Primary in Abuja remain evergreen in our memories”, the statement noted.

The Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, “founded October 2001, 22 years ago, inside Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, with the blessings of prominent leaders in Yorubaland as well as their bosom friends from far North, including former, but then sitting Governor Buka Abba Ibrahim of Yobe State and General Buba Marwa (Rtd) from Adamawa State, has been doing wonders in promotion Yoruba Language, Arts and Culture, across the Globe, simply because we have commited Leaders, individuals and Organisations, apart from ever focused members, sharing our vision and are ever supportive of our stream of ideas.

“It, therefore, gladdens our hearts to inform you that some of our ever consistent leaders, would equally be celebrating Yoruba National Day same day in unity, with beautiful display of Yoruba Heritage, Culture, Art, music, fashion, pageantries, and food among others, which is a family day event to mark end of 16 year Kiriji war in Yorubaland that brought all Omoluabi together under a roof as one.

“Event is scheduled to take place at Concord House, 23 – 27, Kemp Road, Dagenham RMS 1st in London, between 2pm to 8pm. It would address importance of indigenous language in technological advancement”, the group stated.

The Special Guests of Honour at the Yoruba National Day Festival event “are Ibadan High Chief Lekan Alabi, Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland, and 1st Cultural Ambassador of Ile – Ife Museum and Monument, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Isola and Ambassador (Dr) Modupe Enitan Irele, Nigerian Higher Commissioner to United Kingdom and Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary respectively.

“Keynote Speakers are Barrister Dele Ogun, Bamidele Malik Adeolu and Dr Gbenga Fagborun

“Royal fathers of the day are Oba Olushola Alao (Olugbon of Orile – Igbon), Oba Oladipo Olaniyan, Oba (Prof) Adeyemi Obalanlege (Olota of Ota) while special Award will be presented to Kareem Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund Striker)

“Note: Special prayers would be offered for Yoruba Nation, Nigeria, Africa as a Continent and Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Leader of Afenifere @ 97, in both venues.

“Maximum security guaranteed throughout this annual Celebration as we call on peace loving individuals and cultural enthusiasts to come and enjoy themselves in any of these 2 Venues they find accessible between Ibadan and United Kingdom.
Odu’a a gbewa o!”, Organiser of the event in Nigeria further stated.

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