Sons and daughters of the ancient town of Ilobu, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State are set to host the state Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori, among other notable personalities, during the 26th annual Ilobu Day ceremony.
This is coming about one week to the expiration of Aregbesola’s two-term tenure as the governor.
The grand finale of the weeklong event is scheduled to hold on Saturday and will be hosted by the monarch of the town, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, as the Royal Father of the Day, while one of his proud subjects and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf, will serve as the Chief Host.
In a statement issued by the Ilobu Development Union, the umbrella body for the sons and daughters of the nascent community, and signed by the union’s National Secretary, Mr. Dare Alabi, the annual ceremony will commence on Wednesday, November 7, with health talk and medical checks and care for the aged and cultural festival.
According to the statement, other activities also lined up to mark the ceremony include a lecture to be organised by the Ilobu National Students’ Union (INSU) and football match which are scheduled for Thursday, November 8.
The statement noted that climax of the anniversary is the fundraising gettogether scheduled for November 10.
Meanwhile, the National President of the union, Alhaji Dauda Adebisi-Balogun, has commended the sons and daughters of the town for what he described as their unprecedented support in kind and in cash towards the success of the anniversary.
According to Adebisi-Balogun, unlike in the past when the community used to struggle to mobilise resources for the annual celebration, many indigenes of the town, both within and outside the country, have volunteered to play one role or the other.
He said: “I must express IDU’s appreciation to everyone who has rallied round us since we took over the leadership of the community union. From everyone, including both home and abroad, we have received maximum cooperation and support.
“But the ultimate will be their massive turnout at the grand finale on Saturday, November 10, where funds will be raised for community projects. Similar fundraisings held in the past have enabled us to achieve so much including the community hall, and a befitting palace which ranks as one of the best palaces in the state today.
“There are still more to be done and that is why we are calling on everyone to mobilise their friends and associates to donate generously for the development of the town. Every penny contributed will surely be accounted for.”
