The organizers of the Iwude Ijesa Festival held a productive meeting on Thursday with representatives from various clubs and societies.
The meeting focused on overcoming challenges and ensuring careful planning for this year’s festival.
Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, Chairman of the Planning Committee, announced a significant shift in the festival’s direction.
He emphasized the need to detach the festival from political influence to preserve its authenticity.
“This year and moving forward, political parties will not be allowed to turn the festival into a political rally,” Igbaroola stated.
The meeting was well-attended and featured a fruitful exchange of ideas on rebranding the festival, drawing inspiration from the Ijebu-Ode Ojude Oba festival.
A key proposal was to separate the spiritual, cultural, and social aspects of the Iwude festival by dedicating specific days to each component, ensuring that each receives adequate attention.
Ijesa sons and daughters, both locally and in the diaspora, voiced their support for relocating the Grand Finale venue.
Yeyerise of Ilesa and Hadja Fausat Sarumi recommended moving the event from Ereja Civil Center to a larger venue, such as the Ilesa Grammar School mini sports arena or the University of Ilesa.
In response, Chief Igbaroola assured attendees that the suggestions would be conveyed to Oba Adekunle Aromolaran II CFR LLD, Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, for his consideration and guidance.
More details will follow.
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