No fewer than 12 players participated in the just concluded Ayo Olopon game, one of the high points of the 2023 edition of Iwude Ijesa Festival of Unity and it was an exciting moment for the winners.
The event at the mini amphitheater behind the Iwude Ijesa Secretariat, Oke Emese, Adimula Palace square, Ilesa on Thursday 21st December, 2023, attracted many Ijesa sons and daughters from home and abroad, as well as cultural troupes, fun-seekers, eminent personalities and well-wishers.
The Falomo family of Ifosan, Ilesa, Osun State is the sponsor of the Ayo game in memory of late Ishiah Abiola Falomo.
Iwude Ijesa Festival is the historic festival and cultural heritage event celebrated yearly by Ijesa people of Osun State.
As the sponsor of the traditional Ayo game, Falomo doled out cash and numerous gifts to the first, second and third prize winners.
The competition was declared open with a brief contest between Oba Samuel Kehinde Oyeleye the Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa, Atakumosa East local government and Oba Aderibigbe Omirin, the Onikajola of Kajola, Atakumosa West local government.
The first prize went to Jonathan Idowu; the second prize, Aluwaye Adetunji, while Bayo Adekunle won the third position.
Chief Olu Falomo, Loofosan of Ilesa commended all the participants for displaying great intellectual power during while noting that some of the important benefits of Ayo Olopon include the ability to think fast on the spot, take the right decision and make the right move when it matters most.
Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, Chairman, Iwude Ijesa Planning Committee appreciated the Falomo family for the yearly sponsor of the game.
Dignitaries present at the event included Chief Mrs Bolanle Ojo, the Yeyerise of Ilesa, Mr. Iyiola Faniyi, the proprietor of Rest Park Garden, Ilesa, Prof. Rotimi Tayo, representatives of Ijesa descendants from Republic of Benin among others.
The festival drew large crowd of fun-seekers including residents, local and international tourists and culture enthusiasts.
Photos: (📸 Arewa Smiley)
Script: ✍️ Oladimeji Lasore (+2347035105413 [email protected])
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment