Egba  Sons and Daughters have been  enjoined to recognize the supreme sacrifice of heroes and heroines on the Black Day of the Ijemo Massacre;  as well as the magnanimity, generosity and the unique role played by the Ijemo people as indigenous community that hosted  the great founders of present day Abeokuta, capital city of Ogun State, Nigeria.

The Oluwo of Ijemo and Aro of Egbaland, Chief Yinka Kufile  stated this while addressing journalists at a press conference in commemoration of the 110th edition of annual Ijemo day celebration in Abeokuta, explaining that the essence of celebrating the 1914 massacre of Ijemo people by the colonial government was to showcase and preserve their  rich cultural heritage.

He urged the the Sons and Daughters of the soil in both home and abroad to always be a good ambassadors wherever they found themselves.

While reeling out the programme of events for the weeklong celebration, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the events, Chief Anthony Oyewole Oyero, said various events lined up to celebrate the events includes, a medical outreach involving Health screening with free drugs for the participants on Tuesday, 6th August, 2024, stressing that the outreach is opened to the elderly and the sick of all ages at Ijemo Town Hall, Arinmokunri Street, Ijemo, Abeokuta beginning from 10am to 6.00pm.

Chief Oyero added that Woro event where scores of horse riders comprising the sons and daughters of the soil would assemble at Oluwo’s House at Oke Ijemo for the traditrional homage and blessings from the Oluwo and other senior Chiefs, explaining that, the procession of the horse riders which would present a beautiful spectacle and showcase dexterity at horsemanship,  will go on a courtesy visit to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland for royal blessings.

‘’On this same day, there will be  street Carnival and parties all over the streets and compounds of Ijemo Township for the youths to mark the celebration , of culture and heritage. The street Carnivals will start from 2.00pm shall close by 8.00pm. Thursday, 8th August 2024, The yearly inter-denominational prayer session has been scheduled to take place at Ijemo Town Hall between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm. Just after the inter-denominational service, we will have the Isese Session, where the different indigenous religion adherents and allied groups such as the  Egungun, Olomolu, Ode e.t.c. will hold their prayers. This programme will hold between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm.

“Friday, 9th August, 2024- There would be Traditional Games- A fun spot and a knowledge-based game- we will arrange the Local Ayo Olopon, draughts, Ludo, Table Tennis among others. This event starts by 10.00 am at Ijemo Town Hall. While the traditional game is on by 2.00pm, there will be an educational Empowerment for not less than thirty WAEC/NECO Candidates for the 2024 – 2025 academic session. The event shall hold at Ile Ogboni, Oke Ijemo, Abeokuta.

“Saturday, 10th August 2024, The grand finale will take place at the venue already secured for the programme. It promises to be grand and colourful on the band stand will be the music Star, the current toast of fuji music lovers, Taye Currency.

“The grand finale will attract across Nigeria, prominent sons and daughters of Ijemo with their friends and well- wishers will gather in the presence of the Chief Host, Oluwo Ijemo/Aro of Egba, Chief Oluyinka Kufile. Kabiyesi. His Royal Majesty, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo CFR will be the Royal father of the Day.

“It is expected that Government Functionaries, Captain of Industries, Public figures, Royal fathers and other VIPs will be in attendance.

“A major highlight of the special event marking the grand finale will be  the presentation of awards to some deserving personalities who had contributed to the development of Ijemo community in the course of their trajectories as public officials, community leaders and business and industrial leaders.”