Executive Summary
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes CCII at its General Assembly of Friday, 6th. October 2023 formally approved the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee, as presented before the house by the President General, Chief Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole Esq.
The 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee, herein referred to as “the committee” was given the assignment to organize the Annual Ibadan Cultural Festival Programme. The committee was inaugurated by the Executive Council on Friday 3rd November, 2024 at the Ibadan House, Oke Aremo Ibadan.The committee, at the inaugural meeting, set up fourteen (14) sub-committees to assist the Central committee in achieving the given assignment.The Chairman of the Committee, Balogun Gaphar Babatunde Ojetola, expressed his appreciation to all the members especially the committee executive team namely, Dr. Mrs Monsurat Ayo Alaga (Vice Chairman), Engineer Busari Akere (Secretary) and Dr. Mrs Iyabo Fadiora (Assistant Secretary ). He extended appreciation also to the Sub-Committee Chairmen and Secretaries.
The committee is blessed with many other eggheads too numerous to be specially mentioned.For the first time in history, a Cultural Festival dedicated bank account was launched by the CCII Exco in response to the Cultural Festival Committee Chairman request. Thanks to the President General and the Treasurer for all the efforts in this regard.A Board Room platform which comprises of all Chairmen of Sub-Committees, Representatives of Market Leaders and the Warlords Association, Representatives of the Ibadan Prime Youths Forum including the representatives of selected media establishments, hold virtual meetings to brainstorm on the progress, developments and challenges encountered at various sub-committee levels.A total of twelve (12) Central Committee physical meetings and series of virtual interactive sessions were held before the commencement of the main events alongside a series of parallel sub-committee meetings.
Reports and feedback were made to the Executive council during Executive meetings and as may be requested.This year Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee introduced an Internally Generated Fund Initiative through voluntary donations from the committee members. The donations represented our take off grant and thanks to all our very patriotic members.Another novel initiative for fund generation was introduced through Special Decorations on identified individuals. A comprehensive list of our Grand Ambassadors of Ibadan Culture will appear under Decorations and Awards however, it is important to note that it was at such occasions where His Eminence, Aare Dr. Dawood Makanjuola De-Damak investiture as The Grand Commander of Ibadan Culture ( GCIC ) that a brand new 18 Seater Bus worth Thirty Eight Million Naira (N38M) and Ten million naira was donated. May his wealth and health continue to increase. AmenIt is thus worthy of note to mention that this committee does not make any recourse whatsoever to the CCII fund in executing this year’s cultural festival from commencement to the Grand Finale. To God belongs all glory.
The Official Flag Off for the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival was held on Monday 19th February, 2024 in a grand style following the initial approval of His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Abiodun Oluwaseyi Makinde FNSE, DSC, GSSRS for the Cultural festival to be held between 14th and 20th April, 2024.The passing of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Sen. Dr. Mohood Ishola Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II on the 14th March, 2024 brought abrupt suspension to all the cultural activities. His Imperial Majesty was interned on the 15th March, 2024 according to the muslim rites.There was a period of Interregnum between the 15th March, 2024 till 12th July, 2024 due to an unusual delay in the installation and coronation of the new Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I.The New Aafin Olubadan was commissioned on Wednesday 10th July while the new Olubadan was installed and crowned on Friday 12th July, 2024 to pave the way for resumption of the cultural festival activities.During the period of the interregnum, some Staggered Programs were held between Friday 31st May and Thursday 4th July, 2024 such as the Finals of Ibadan Got Talent, Orekelewa Brain and Beauty Pageant, All Ibadan Youths Conference, Table Tennis and Ayo Olopon Finals, Stage Play on Balogun Ajayi Osungbekunmi, Education All categories Finals and Football competition finals.The committee visited fourteen (14) media houses, Speaker House of Assembly, Six State Commissioners, the Chief Judge, the Council of Iyalodes, the Olubadan-in-Council, Dr. Chief Omololu Olunloyo, the Deputy Governor, the Wife of the Governor and other very important personalities in and outside the state to solicit support and sponsorship of the program.Ten Grand Ambassadors of Ibadan Culture (GAIC ) and One Grand Commander of Ibadan Culture (GCIC ) were decorated with pop and pageantryNumerous deserving and worthy individuals received different awards in the categories of MPII, MDII, MOFI and MOWI before and during the Grand Finale.All proceeds were directly remitted to the dedicated FCMB Account of the CCII Cultural Festival and transparently managed by the CCII signatories.The CCII and the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee paid Royal Homage to the Olubadan of Ibadanland,
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin and his Council on the 22nd July, 2024 to receive Royal blessing and approval to continue with the programs of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival.The program resummed on the 24th July, 2024 with the newly introduced innovation into the cultural festival where Ibadan Local Couisines such as Aawon, Oojo, Ekuru, Akaakoko, Tuuwo, Egbo and Ewa, Oole ati eko, Ekomimun ati akara kengbe, dundu ati ewa were served as breakfast to two thousands members at the historical Mapo Hall Arena, Ibadan. This was followed by Road Show from Mapo Hall to Ibadan House.The annual Amala Festival and Fuji Fiesta was held on the same day at the Ibadan House Premises. Awards were presented to notable Ibadan Business Leaders and leading Fuji musicians. His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja , Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Mrs Bode Amao, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima, Oyo State Chief Judge , Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja and a host of other Important dignitaries graced the ocassion. Hot Amala with assorted meat, fish and ogunfe were served to more than 2,000 members and special guests. Alhaji Tajudeen System, Alhaji Rashidi Ayinde and other Fuji Stars performed on stage at this epoc making event where all were dressed in this year’s Amala Day Festival.The Business Luncheon was held at the Ilaji Hotels and Resorts where series of awards were presented to various awardees in different categories.
A prominent Lagos based entertainer, Peter Akah who had shown tremendous love of Ibadanland by memorising all the Ibadan rulers since inception till date on a viral social media was brought in for due recognition and appreciation. He received material gifts, an award and cash gifts of more than Three million naira on the spot. His joy knows no bounds and was full of praises of Ibadanland.Friday 26th July, 2024 was the Special Jummah Service which was held at the Oja’Ba Central Mosque and all the Central Mosques in Ibadanland. The Chief Imaam of Ibadanland prayed for the Leadership of the CCII and Ibadanland especially on the successful completion of the Aafin Olubadan during this regime. The Jummah Service was well attended by members of the CCII affiliate clubs.The Fellowship Award was held immediately after the Jummah Service at the Civic Center where several awardees received their nominated awards. The Oyo State Speaker, House of Assembly, many Local Government Chairmen, Obas and Council of Mogajis and Baales graced this august ocassion.The Grand Finale was held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium on Saturday, 27th July, 2024. This year’s Grand Finale was specially attended by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Abiodun Oluwaseyi Makinde, FNSE, DSC, GSSRS, The First Lady, Chief Mrs Tamunominini Makinde who received the coveted Most Outstanding Wife of Ibadanland MOWI, the Deputy Governor, Barrister AbdRaheem Adebayo Lawal who received the coveted Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland MOFI , the Chairman of the Ocassion, Deacon Oladejo Owolabi , CEO IBR Impact Radio and Adelayo Academy and other very important dignitaries. The President General, Barr. Ajeniyi Ajewole played Host to these important dignitaries. Vey important dignitaries from home and abroad were called forward to receive several categories of awards. The event witnessed the traditional parade of the masquerades, Warlord Exhibitions and the colorful exhibition of variety affiliate clubs. Live streaming and broadcasting through all available social media networks showcased this year’s cultural festival to the full acceptance of the International audience. Glory be to God almighty.
The Special Thanksgiving Service was held at The Cathedral of St. Peters Aremo at a fully packed event. The Bishop prayed for the CCII, Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria. May we continue to celebrate many more Ibadan Cultural Festival. Amen
MAJOR CHALLENGES
Despite a smooth take-off of this year’s activities, we recorded quite a number of major challenges which constituted an unimaginable set back to the program.
Passage of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun at the middle of the programme .
Four months gap between the passage of one Oba to the installation of another Olubadan.
A longest period of interregnum in the history of Ibadanland.
Skyrocket increase in the prices of commodities.
High cost of fuel towering above one thousand naira per litre.
The need to recirculate hundreds of sponsorship letters in and outside the state . Effect of changes in dates on our potential sponsors.
Difficulty encountered for securing the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium for the Grand Finale on time which led to the delay in setting up the venue. We thank Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli for his last minute intervention in this regard.
APOLOGIES
The delay in accessing the Grand Finale venue caused untold hardships for the vendors who brought canopies, chairs, tables and other rentals as they were denied access to the venue a day prior. This affected some affiliate clubs in making necessary arrangements for their members. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.Some paid adverts and goodwill messages were not captured in our brochures for some technical reasons, please accept our apologies. Necessary arrangement is in place to either refund payment or repost the material in subsequent CCII Publications.
APPRAISALS/APPRECIATIONS
First and foremost, we return all praises and adoration to God almighty for making it possible for us to deliver an unprecedented 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival.
To God belongs all the glory.We thank the Chief Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole led CCII Executive Council for giving us the opportunity to serve our fatherland in this capacity. We also thank the entire members of the CCII for their prayers and support without which we couldn’t have recorded this exemplary success. Appreciation is also due to the entire administrative and non-administrative staff of Ibadan House.
Thank you all. Importantly, immense appreciation goes to all the members of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee by standing firmly with devotion, dedication and total commitment in ensuring that success is achieved, through thick and thin. Almighty God will never desert you at your point of needs.E se A dupe, I hold you all in very high esteem.We must not fail to specially appreciate all the affiliate clubs for making this year’s program the MOST COLORFUL, ATTRACTIVE AND ENTERTAINING EVENT in the history of Ibadan Cultural Festival. Thanks and God Bless you All.To our donors who are never tired of supporting all our activities generously, may the good Lord continue to increase you in all capacities.I pray that my successor will keep the flag higher and build on the established success story.Ile Ibadan yoo gbe gbogbo wa O. Aamin.E ba n gbomo Oke, Lanti Lantiiii.
Balogun Gaphar Babatunde OjetolaChairman, 2024 IBCFPC.
NB: The 2024 Ibadan Cultural Festival Financial Report was earlier presented by the CCII National Treasurer at the AGM