Ademola Aderemi
The 2019 edition of the annual Eledumare Festival, a 21-day series of activities promoted by the Aare Gani Adams-led Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), through the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), has commenced in Lagos.
Speaking yesterday in Agege, Lagos, during a prayer session as part of the programme, Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said the programme was an important activity in the calendar of the OFF, adding that the best that could happen to every right-thinking person was to celebrate and give glory to Almighty God.
He explained that the Eledumare festival was a significant one, as only God has the power to fulfill all purposes in life.
Said he: “God’s plan for the future of our group is unique. That is why we are able to sustain all the activities of the group without looking back. As a formidable organisation, we look forward to a great future by staking our resources and time for the Yoruba race. For the past six years, we have devoted our time and material resources to celebrating Eledumare Festival and other festivals across the South-West. For a very long time now, we have been promoting our cultural identities without getting allocations or support from anybody. I know for sure that we shall be rewarded and I have a feeling that the reward will come sooner than it is expected,” he said.
Aare Adams, however, urged members to remain focused and embrace all the good qualities that could advance the cause of the group, insisting that discipline was key to the progress of the group.
Members of the national executive council and the national coordinating council later took to the stage to dance, even as they all gave glory to Almighty God.
Director of media, OFF, Ambassador Muyiwa Oshinaike, had earlier unveiled the programme for the Eledumare Festival.
He explained further that the reason for the prayer session was to put all the activities of the group in the hands of God by putting God first.
“Eledumare Festival is an annual event that is used to promote Yoruba cultural values and tradition. This year, for 21 days, there will be series of activities across Lagos State and the grand finale will come up on Tuesday March 26,” he said.
Oshinaike said the OPC has metamorphosed into a formidable group with structures across the country.
“The motivating factor for us is that we have a leader, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, who at all times keeps us going.
“As far as we are concerned, there is no going back. We are focused and, by the special grace of God, we shall continue to grow from strength to strength,” he said.
Other events during the festival included taekwondo, table tennis and ayo olopon competitions and Harvest of Praise, among others.