Abalu'le Ado.
The Executive Chairman of Ado Ekiti Local Govt. Hon. Deji Ogunsakin has narrated the history of Ado Ekiti, and Benefits of the Udiroko Festival to Ado and Ekiti-State at large.
While speaking through his Special Assitance on Media Asiwaju Rowland Adewale Falade, Said "since1990 when the Current Ewi of Ado Ekiti OBA Dr. ADEYEMO ADEJUGBE ALADESANMI III steps to his father shoe, Ado Ekiti and Ekiti State at large has witness alot of development during his reign.
Falade who futher said "In history we were told that Ewi left Ile Ile for Benin to stay with his brother the Oba of Benin, he settled in Itamodi. Itamodi is very close to Benin. They co-existed there for so many years. At a point, the place was not conducive enough for the two of them to continue to stay together. So, Ewi had to leave and he left enroute Ido-Ani but before he left Itamodi, Ewibiritiokun joined his ancestor and Ewi Awamaro Started the journey through Idoani in Ondo State and after so many years in Agbado here in Ekiti State. AGBA ADO, means the Elders of Ado. But the Ifa Oracle called Elegunpeyeje told them that they were yet to arrive at their destination and that they need to continue the journey but the Elders were tired of wandering and decided to stay back in Agbado that still exists in Ekiti till today. You see it means AGBA ADO, where the Ado Elders settled,
"Eventually, the Ewi and Ifa Oracle Elegunpeyeje continued the journey until they got to Ilumoba, they called the place ILU OMOBA in those days, now it is Ilumoba. But the Ewi and his team continued the journey, actually one of the Prince decided to stay back in Ilumoba and they are still there till today. So, they finally arrived in this place and the Ifa Oracle Elegunpeyeje said "Yes this is the place, and that is why we call it ADO, meaning here we settle. And the first meeting was held under Iroko tree and it was so done that every year Ado people would gather and offer prayer to God for peace, in their lives, all their achievements during the year, or if they failed, they we find out where did they missed it, take stock and continue, we still do so.
Falade Adding that "When you hear people celebrating a day you Understand that UDIROKO DAY is our (January 1). And that is why Ado people call it (OLORUNBORUN) I dont know whether you know the meaning of Olorunborun as asked by Leader Ojo Ayegbusi Ayee and Igbalajobi last week. OLORUNBORUN means when gathered to thank our God. In Yoruba language and so we say Olorunborun also mean God we honour you in heaven.
Falade noting that "We believe in God in Ado Ekiti and anyone who thinks he has God, should whorship him, in the olden days the head of the family will prepare feasts using what they have, usually it used to be Bush Meat, now you may kill goat or chichen, children would heat and wear the best clothes in those days, smokes from charcoal served as perfumes and preservatives for our cloth to prevent them from termites, so you put on your best (Dandogo, kembe) that day. Very early in the morning, we eat and feast in readiness for the evening when everybody converges on the palace.
Asiwaju Roland Further said " Even in the period of the intertribal wars, our warriors called the Elegbes led by their General, Barafon must return home with the booties of the war. One of the reason for that withdrawal from the war front of the warriors to pledge their allegiance to the throne to reaffirm that they are still loyal and to tell the Ewi their achievements and if there is anything they failed to achieve, the reasons for it and what we could do to prevent such thing from happening again and then planed for the following year.
" In the evening therefore, the Elegbes and all the other chiefs would come to pay homage, The sons and daughter of Ado Ekiti would pay homage, all these are to tell Ewi that they are still loyal. The Ewi would speak from the throne and we will all listen. There would be no response to the speech. The following day, very early in the morning we will gather, but most people don't know this, we will gather at about 6am in the morning at a part of the palace called Owaawa. The people of Ado would gather and then the Barafon will lead the people into the Owaawa, and that is the place where they will now reply the speach from the throne. They would analyse the speech and if there is anything we have to do, if there is any project to see too.
Falade who explained further on "The Udiroko Festival and its Benefits of Past "We use the Udiroko festival to accomplish a lot of thing. By the grace of God Am Falade Adewale from Atewogboye rulling house of Ado Ekiti and am giving you my words for real: Since Ewi Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III entered the palace on December 1 1990, from the gate house, God has been using Ado Sons and Daughter to facelift the palace. During Udiroko, committee was set up, for instance in raising this office complex we raised a committee of 12 and the chairman was Aare Afe Babalola, The current Ewi told them that He have travelled all the Yoruba palace and that what we cherish here, to him are outdated and we needed to do something quick. Then the committee put head together and the first building by the right is a result of their effort. Not only palace issue, when Prof. Bodunrin was UNAD Vice Chancellor now Ekiti State University, the school had some problems with the accreditation of some of their courses. The VC Came came to the palace and intimated them of their problem with accreditation. And i dont think giving out money is the most effective way to solve all problems. Ewi prefered that Ado Should choose a project. So the Faculty of Law that you see in EKSU now, it was during UDIROKO that the Committee was set up Ado Son and Daughter got together to provide it.
"We also use the festival to update ourselves on the progress of our Sons and Daughter, wherever they are across the globe, any problem any prospect, we use the period to access them. Its also the time to celebrate our new yam which emerges in large quqntity from the Ado Ekiti Area.
"So on the following days after Udiroko, everybody now free to go to their farm to plant the early yams at around September because ours an agrarian socity, that is our main occupation and that is why in those days about the middle of May in most part of the region, we used to have new yam early and in large quantity.
"Its was during Udiroko In 1945 that Ewi of Ade Ekiti Introduced GARI to the people of Ado and Ekiti State at large
"The building of modern houses began the reign of Oba Ewi Aladesanmi II in 1948
"To crown it all, mini stadium (Best in south west) started by Oba Aladesanmi III but completed by the Executive Governor of Ekiti State Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, Ongoing Oja Oba mordern maket, Renovation of Ewi Palace and foundation laying of Ado Ekiti mega city Hall.
Udiroko Festival is not for the Ewi and his warrior called Elegbe's alone, but for everyone living in Ado Ekiti. It is an annual opportunity to rekindle peaceful coexistence and unity
Adewale Rowland Asiwaju Falade
S.A On Media
Ado Local Govt.
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