The Aare Alawo Ekun Festival, an annual traditional festival being celebrated by the sons and daughters of Ofiki was held on the 12th, 13th and 14th of December in Ofiki.
Ofiki is a town in Atisbo local government in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo state.
The festival is often celebrated exclusively by the King, Aare in Council and traditionalist before the arrival of Aare of Ofiki Land, Alayelua, Oba Adeoye Gbenga Adigun Oyinlola II, JP.
Oba Adeoye has however, repackaged the festival to a three-day festival to accommodate other meaningful activities for the development of Ofiki Land.
The traditional ruler in a release made available to insideoyo.com said he repackaged the festival to allow other religions to participate in the festival.
He said “After my installation, I was informed about the festival but I ignored until it merely cause some issues internally before I came to a conclusion of repackaging it for other religious believes to participate and particularly because of religious belief which was accepted. Hence, it changed to a three days festival”.
Oba Adeoye in the release further enumerated various activities in each day in the 2019 edition of the festival.
He said “We visited our ancient settlement Obatala for prayers as it was formerly done but by all faiths and not restricted to strangers on our land. Also, it was an avenue for younger children and even adults alike who don’t know the place to know it. The head of the Royal family, Prince Joshua Oladeji was there to say brief history of our town and the importance of our visit to the source so as to preserve our identity for yet unborn children. Its also in my vision to open the site (Obatala) as a tourism centre in the near future. However, we prayed for Peace, unity and progress of our town, all my subjects home and abroad and the State.
“The second day was for football match between Destiny FC Ofiki Vs Halleluyah Babes Igbojaiye at Baptist primary School Ofiki. It ended with a lone goal in favour of Ofiki. Night vigil was also held at the palace courtyard for the Christian faithful organized by me on that same Friday night.
“The third day was the grand finale. We celebrated God’s faithfulness to us and fund raising for community projects. It was well attended by people within and outside the community.”
Meanwhile, insideoyo.com gathered that notable traditional rulers were in attendance.
Also in attendance were Barrister Sharafadeen Onijo, Engnr & Princess Ade Ojeleye Chairman Pericom Construction Company, Princess Adelodun Kikelomo, CSP Abdulkadir Saidu DPO Atisbo, Bulama OC Operation Burst Atisbo and other security personnels
