From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
In Ogun State, places such as Mokoloki, Ofada and some parts in Egbaland, are popular for the production of a local brand of rice known as “Ofada.” With its unique aroma, the local delicacy is eaten with special stew, prepared with a large amount of locust beans (iru), unripe pepper, a lot of palm and assorted beef, especially the innards, which are diced inside the stew.
Perhaps, due to its lima every year, sons and daughters of Ondo, headquarters of Ondo kingdom comprising Ondo West, Ondo East and Odigbo local government areas of Ondo State converge to celebrate the Ekimogun Day. The day is set aside to honour the progenitor of the town.
Ekimogun Day was first marked in 1987, attracting innovations every year. The celebration, which comes up in the first week of December is an opportunity for the people of Ondo kingdom, founded almost 1,000 years ago to come together to display their rich cultural heritage and tradition. They also use the opportunity to pray for the development of the town.
At this year’s Ekimogun day, the Osimawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, former governor Olusegun Mimiko and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu among other prominent Nigerians pledged their readiness to ensure the development of the town. Chairman of the planning committee, Chief Johnson Adeduro, said the Ekimogun Day was designed to celebrate togetherness and a confirmation of unity among the people and leadership of the town.
He said the people have so much to celebrate in the leadership provided by the Osemawe: “Through his ingenuity, Oba Kiladejo created an atmosphere of peace, harmony and reconciliation among chiefs and other traditional rulers in his domain. There is also not forgetting his simplicity, humility and the friendly disposition of his wife, Olori Olayinka.”
He said within the first 10 years of Oba Kiladejo’s reign, Ondo was blessed with two universities, with the third in view, four community radio stations, construction of dualised roads, establishment of a medical village: “He also exposed the kingdom to a fair share of infrastructural projects through the government of Dr. Mimiko” who is also an indigene of the town.
He commended the commitment of the people to the development of the town, just as he harped on the need to focus more attention on agriculture, which he said remains the only way out of the nation’s current economic situation: “What is needed now is to diversify the nation’s economy to agricultural sector to fast track national growth and development of our dear country.”
Akeredolu declared that his government would not abandon all the uncompleted projects inherited from the last administration of Mimiko. Already directed all the chairmen of the 18 local government areas to construct one kilometer road each as an effort to create road network in the rural areas. He was represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi.
He allayed the fear that his government was planning to merge the State University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. He said rather than doing this, his government would continue to build on the existing infrastructure and facilities it inherited from the previous administration.
Oba Kiladejo stressed the need for every indigene of the town to join hands for the development of the town: “There is a limit to which the state or the Federal Government can do for us. We must therefore join hands together for the development of our town.”
He lauded former Mimiko for ensuring the development of the town when he was governor. He said the town would continue to support any government ready to spread the dividends of democracy to it, noting that the present administration has a lot to do for the town.