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2023 Yewa Festival, catalyst towards effective development in all strata – Bello
The Oloke Odan of Oke Odan, Oba (Dr) O.O Fagbenro with the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Yewa People Development Council, Professor Rahamon Bello, Otunba (Pharmacist), Lekan Asuni, after unveiling the 2023 Yewa Festival Mascot, on Saturday, held at the Yewa Traditional Council secrtariat, Ilaro.
…as YPDC honours IGP, Adeola, Salako-Oyedele, Salako, Fagbohun, GNI, six others
Damilola Ajibola
The Chairman Yewa People Development Council, Professor Rahamon Bello, has described the 2023 Yewa Festival, as catalyst to effective development in all strata of Yewaland, and acting as the major liaison between the Yewa people and governments at all levels.
Bello, who was former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, said this while briefing newsmen, on the activities lined up for the Festival scheduled to hold from October 7th to 15th.
The chairman, flanked by the Oloke Odan of Oke Odan, Oba O.O Fagbenro, who represented the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the chairman, Carnival and Tourism Development Board, Otunba (Pharmacist) Lekan Asuni; Yewa Cultural Ambassador, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan aka Ogogo; traditional rulers among others, noted that the festival would showcase different cultural diversities of Yewaland and its people.
He explained that YPDC is a creation of the Yewa Traditional Council aimed at coordinating the efforts of all pan-Yewa development organisations towards effective development and representation of Yewaland.
Professor Bello further hinted that YPDC has member organisations such as Yewa Think Tank; Yewa Development Forum; Yewa Professionals; Yewa Public Servants Forum; Yewa Veterans; Yewa Retired Public Servants Forum; Yewa Descendants Union; Yewa City Club; Yewa Youth Association; Yewa Descendants Union (UK and Ireland) just to mention but a few.
He said,” The 2023 Yewa Festival is expected to showcase all the cultural diversities of Yewaland including its people, to the world. The momentum to be created by the 2023 Festival is expected to lay the Foundation of a world acclaimed festival which will go into the tourism schedule of Nigeria and the world in general.”
He highlighted medical outreaches across the five local government areas in Ogun West Senatorial District, as part of activities for the week long programme.
Asides, the award of honour to top federal and State Executives and Public Servants of Yewa extraction held on Saturday at Yewa Frontiers Hotel, Ilaro, another set of 130 Yewa indigenes would be honoured at the second reception and award events on Friday.
While an Economic Summit with the theme “Re-Invigorating Yewa Agenda-From Vision to Reality” will be addressed by Professor Tope Popoola who will be speaking on “Re-Appraising Educational Startegies as Veritable Tool for Community Development” and “Harnessing and Maximizing Youth Potentials for Empowerment and Transformation of Yewaland” to be delivered by Special Adviser and Commissioner Designate, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan.
Other programmes for the Festival were Youth Summit; Yewa Unity Cup Competition; Jumat and Church Thanksgiving services and the grand finale at Asade Agunloye Pavilion on Saturday with the paying of homage by different groups, Community Development Associations to Oba Olugbenle and other royal fathers from across the length and breadth of Yewaland and Star Awards and Recognitions.
The Festival Mascot was unveiled during the news conference by Oba Fagbenro.
The YPDC later honoured 12 distinguished personalities at Yewa Special Award and Reception amongst whom were acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun; the Ogun State Deputy Governor; Engr( Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele; the Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations, Olamilekan Adeola; the Minister of State for Environment; Dr. Kunle Salako; the Minister of Aviation, Barrister Festus Kenyamo; there members of tbe House of Representatives; Honourables Gboyega Isiaka; Engr. Tunji Akinosi and Abiodun Akinlade.
Others were the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun; former HoS, Elder Sola Adeyemi; Assistant Comptroller General Customs, Olaniyi Alajogun and Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun.
