Pages

Monday, 28 December 2015

OPC rounds off 2015 with Ajagunmale Festival





The year 2015 ended on a happy note for i and members of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), as thousands of gaily dressed members turned up for the 2015 edition of Ajagunmale Festival, which held at the premises of Lekki Local Council Development Area, Lekki, Lagos State.
Being the last festival for the year in the crowded festival calender of the organisation, the members, who were already in festive mood, turned out to celebrate Ajagunmale, who was described as the chief praise singer in heaven.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, the Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) and National Coordinator of the OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, gave special tribute to God for standing by the organisation in the last one year.
Adams also gave special commendation to all Yoruba deities, who he said were appointed by God to help in the administration of the world.
"Respect for deities is anchored on the belief that their importance permeates all facets of the life of Yoruba people," Adams said.

Speaking on the relevance of the festival, Otunba Adams described Ajagunmale as a highly revered entity in religious and cultural observance of Yoruba people. He said Ajagunmale is one of the important deities in Yorubaland, describing the deity's role in the world as that of an advocate of prayers and supplications by mankind.
Speaking on the importance of culture and religion to mankind, Adams called for concerted effort for the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition. He urged Yoruba all over the world to join hands in the promotion of the culture of the people, insisting that there is a big difference between religion and culture.
"No nation can develop without significant input from their culture. Your culture forms the basis of who you are, your history and aspirations. Our people must know that this programme is about promoting the culture of Yoruba, and not about what religion you practice."
In the spirit of the Yuletide, the OPC leader led the group in various praise songs. Backed by the Oodua musical band, Adams surprised many with his dexterity in praising God with soul-stirring songs, and set the mood for what to expect.
In his message, the chairman, Isese, Ibeju Lekki, Chief Tajudeen Igbaabere, prayed for the people, urging them to continue to support the group in its onerous task of promoting the culture and tradition of their race.
Chief VictorAdewale, Deputy Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Union (OPU) in Europe, said the group is committed to the promotion of Yoruba culture in Europe, and vowed to continue do things that will elevate the race anywhere in the world.
Also speaking, Professor Kolawole Raheem of University of Education, Wenebba, Ghana, commended Otunba Gani Adams and the OPC for the good works the organisation is doing, describing the OPC leader as a worthy leader.
He urged members of the organisation to redouble their efforts and continue to be in the forefront of the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition.
"I urge all of you to continue with the good works you are doing. Let me encourage you to treat your children about the beauty of our tradition. Let the female children be good ambassador of their heritage, while the male children continue to uphold our beautiful heritage," Prof Raheem said.
Among the dignitaries that graced the event was Amb. Wanle Akinboboye, owner of Lacampagne Tropicana Beach Resort. He said he was impressed by the OPC and its leader, and urged all members of the organisation to continue to support the leaders in the promotion of the culture of their race.

No comments:

Post a Comment