Soun hails Oja-Iwa Day as Alajaawa calls for unity, cultural preservation, development

Image caption: Alajaawa and his Olori at Oja-Iwa Day

Soun hails Oja-Iwa Day as Alajaawa calls for unity, cultural preservation, development

Niyi AJALA

Advertisement

The Alajaawa of Ajaawa Kingdom, Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji Olumole II, has called on sons and daughters of Ajaawa to unite in preserving their cultural heritage and advancing the development of the kingdom.

This is as the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III commended the festival saying it represents new efforts at progress and development of Ajaawa and Ogbomosoland in general.

Oba Oyetunji made the appeal while addressing guests and residents at the maiden Oja-Iwa Day Carnival held on Saturday, November 6 and 7, 2026, describing the event as an important opportunity to celebrate the history and identity of the people, strengthen communal relationships and establish a foundation for future development.

Advertisement

Oba Oyetunji said the carnival was beyond a cultural celebration, noting that it represented a renewed commitment to unity, preservation of traditions and the progress of Ajaawa Kingdom and the wider Ogo-Oluwa community.

He explained that the celebration provided an opportunity to reconnect younger generations with their history, language, customs and values, urging them to take a genuine interest in the heritage of their community.

According to the monarch, cultural preservation should not mean resisting modernisation, but protecting the positive values of the past while embracing innovations that promote education, economic advancement, peace and social development.

Advertisement

Alajaawa urges unity among sons and daughters of Ajaawa

Emphasising the importance of unity, Oba Olumole II observed that meaningful development could only thrive where people were united by a common purpose and a shared commitment to the welfare of their community.

He appealed to community leaders, political officeholders, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to place the collective interest of Ajaawa above personal considerations.

The monarch urged residents to embrace dialogue, cooperation and reconciliation, irrespective of their political affiliations, religious beliefs and social differences.

He also called on traditional chiefs, Baales, community elders and family heads to work together in promoting peaceful coexistence, respect for constituted authority and the protection of the dignity of every member of the community.

The Oba noted that the traditional institution had an important responsibility in preserving cultural identity, promoting peace, providing moral leadership and encouraging community development.

He stressed that the true value of cultural heritage extended beyond traditional dances, music and ceremonies to include honesty, hospitality, respect for elders, care for vulnerable people and commitment to justice.

Advertisement

Seeks economic opportunities through cultural celebration

The Alajaawa described the Oja-Iwa Day Carnival as a potential platform for promoting economic activities, attracting investment and creating opportunities for local businesses.

He noted that cultural festivals could stimulate commerce and provide opportunities for traders, farmers, artisans, food vendors, transport operators and other service providers.

He therefore encouraged business owners and prospective investors, particularly successful sons and daughters of Ajaawa in the diaspora, to explore investment opportunities in the kingdom and the wider Ogo-Oluwa local government area.

Advertisement

He urged indigenes living outside the community not to forget their roots, calling on them to contribute to development through educational support, healthcare initiatives, employment opportunities, infrastructure and business investments.

He maintained that the carnival should serve not only as a celebration of cultural identity but also as a platform for exchanging ideas, establishing partnerships and discussing practical solutions to the community’s developmental challenges.

Tasks youths, recognises women’s contributions

Oba Olumole II described young people as important partners in the present development of Ajaawa, urging them to embrace education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, innovation and productive engagement.

He cautioned against drug abuse, cybercrime, cultism and other criminal activities capable of undermining their future and the peace of the community.

The monarch called on parents, community leaders and educational institutions to create opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in community affairs, adding that their talents, ideas and technological skills should be supported.

He also acknowledged the contributions of women to family life, commerce, agriculture, education, cultural preservation and community mobilisation.

He urged women to continue playing active roles in community development and entrepreneurship, while calling for support for initiatives that promote their empowerment.

Appeals for government support, peaceful coexistence

Furthermore, the permanent chairman of Traditional Council of Ogo-Olwua local government acknowledged the importance of cooperation between the traditional institution, government, private organisations and residents in addressing the developmental needs of Ajaawa Kingdom.

He thus appealed to the Oyo state government, Ogo-Oluwa local government and relevant government institutions to sustain attention to the area, particularly in road infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply, security, agriculture and youth empowerment.

He noted that the community had people with valuable skills and ideas who could contribute to the development of Oyo state and Nigeria if given the necessary opportunities and support.

On security, Oba Oyetunji urged residents and visitors to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the celebration and cooperate with security agencies and event organisers.

He warned against violence, disorder and actions capable of disturbing public peace, stressing that security remained essential to investment, economic growth and social progress.

Advertisement

Envisions Oja-Iwa Day as annual cultural event

The Alajaawa expressed the hope that Oja-Iwa Day would develop into a respected annual cultural celebration capable of attracting visitors, promoting the history of Ajaawa and encouraging investment in the kingdom.

He declared that future editions would incorporate cultural exhibitions, traditional music and dance, historical presentations, youth talent showcases, agricultural displays, trade fairs, educational activities and community development discussions, while calling for the documentation of the kingdom’s history, preservation of cultural artefacts and promotion of the indigenous language among younger generations.

He added, “The maiden carnival is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Ajaawa Kingdom,” calling on all stakeholders to sustain its spirit of unity and development beyond the celebration.

The carnival featured among others conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on five individuals including Saki-born Col. Dr Gbenga Adegbola (Jagunmolu) and his wife, Mrs. Mary Olaomo Adegbola (Yeye Jagunmolu); Oyo-born Elder Olaniyi Ajekigbe (Bobajiroro) and Mrs. Felicia Oyenike Ajekigbe (Yeye Bobajiroro); and Ajaawa-born Chief Adekunle Onile (Mayeloye).

Charging the new chiefs, the Soun blessed them and urged them to contribute to the development of Ajaawa.

Oba Olaoye added, “We have seen a lot of development. We thank you. We are happy to be here, to celebrate Oja-Iwa Day with Alajaawa. Ajaawa Day is not yours alone but all of us. One of the Obas whom we align with is Alajaawa, we converse together, gossip together, drink together, dine together. I urge the chieftaincy beneficiaries to stimulate development in Ajaawa.”

Also speaking, the Oyo state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun, commended the Soun for promoting Yoruba tradition and culture.

Olatunbosun, obviously berating the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi, lauded Soun “for being unlike Obas who claim to represent the emirs.”

The Commissioner commended the Alaajawa, noting, “The Alaajawa is fit for the throne. Indeed, he is living up to his name – Adeyeye.”

Furthermore, he charged the new Jagunmolu of Ajaawa, Col. Adegbola to build a branch of his hotel or a guest house in Ajaawa, noting, “with Oja-Iwa Carnival such an investment will be worth it. Cradles Carnival has boosted hospitality business in Ogbomoso. Wherever things like these are promoted, people will come home. It is not money but what is most important is investing in hospitality business in Ajaawa like building guest houses. That will bring more value than giving money to Alajaawa or the committee.”

Wasiu Olatunbosun

He also commended the character of Alajaawa, saying, “Alajaawa doesn’t betray, I confirmed this today.”

The Asiwaju of Ajaawa, Prince Olalere Ajiboye, highlighted the harmonious ties between Alajaawa and the Soun, advocating for the adoption of a 25-year development plan in Ajaawa, to mirror the Soun’s strategic vision.

Prince Ajiboye additionally called on the state government to prioritize the Pontela road project while appealing for robust community support for the fundraising initiative.

The grand finale witnessed processions and paying of homage to the king by families, groups, clubs, associations; ayo olopon competition final; cultural displays, fundraising, musical displays etc.