KETEWA FESTIVAL WORKSHOP RIPPLES: —Perm. Sec Min. of Culture & Tourism lauds Olowolabi as experts x ray “Ogboogodo” …
The Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Yemi Olowolabi, was yesterday described as a very wonderful man with great visions and innovations with which he had been performing remarkable feats since he mounted the saddle of the ministry.
Making this observation was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Boladale Akinyanmi in her goodwill message during the Workshop session of the Ketewa Cultural Festival started at Oba Awosunye’s Palace, with Ayo Opon and Aren tita games.
Mrs Akinyanmi noted the zealous passion of Hon. Yemi Olowolabi to develop the Oke Idanre Tourism Attraction with various given opportunities through innovative ideas as she wondered why Nigerians need to go to Israel for sight seeing and tourism when Oke Idanre is here with little or no cost. Mrs Akinyanmi who confessed to having been well informed and entertained during the session, called Hon. Olowolabi “a great dreamer with unalloyed love for Idanre, its people and culture”. She enjoined Idanre people to keep on organizing the type of workshops and seminars so that misconceptions and half truths can be put in the right perspectives so that the beautiful history of Idanre people and their culture will no more be distorted with fallacies and half truths when well documented and packaged for posterity.
The Workshop, centring on “Ogboogodo:, poetry or incantation”, featured two versed and versatile educated Idanre elites who are neck deep in traditional religion of Idanre people, Chief Victor Ojo Alalabiaye, a core Aworo priest of Olofin, god of Idanre people and astute grassroot politician of note and Chief Ayo Akinmutimi, another proficient Aworo priest of Orosun goddess while Dr. Segun Bajulaye moderated the session which was held under the Chairmanship of another Idanre scholar, High Chief Dr. Charles Akinyogbon, the Osoore of Idanre Kingdom.
After the rich and robust discussions, it was concluded that “Ogboogodo” traditional poetry can either be used for social,educative and entertainment purposes but be used as incantations occasionally if arguments or leadership tussles ensue. The two discussants and other contributors agreed that an average Idanre indigene has the power or potency of “Ohun” but left to him or her to develop the latent power to empower or defend himself where and when the need arises. It was agreed by both Chief Alalabiaye and Chief Akinmutimi that elders and those of them versed in “Ohun” had not been “teaching” younger ones because of fear of it being abused or misused in wrong place. The duo maintained that “Ohun” has more potency than charms and amulets as it can easily be used to destroy or neutralize whatever charm that had been embedded in any person within seconds and thus lay such a person open for easy and defenceless attack.
The Ese Ugbeke venue had other eminent personalities like Hon. Yemi Olowolabi, Hon. Prince Kayode Aroloye, Executive Chairman, Idanre Local Government, Chief Wemimo Olufolaju, Yeyeoge of Idanre, Chief Abidemi Akinde, the Obateru of Idanre kingdom, Hon. Henry Olatuja, Hon. Ralph Adetimehin, Hon. Kiitan Akinbamilowo, Prince Adelanke Ogunsakin, Coordinator, Unit 2, FRSC Special Marshall, Idanre Sector, Otunba Taye Akinniranye, Proprietor, Cocoa Restaurant and Bar, Ese Ugbeke, Idanre etc. Cultural troupes from Ondo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Idanre Local Government Cultural Troupe entertained the audience as Mr. Awoniyi Akinsowon Olorukogiga rendered the only “Ogboogodo” demonstration session.
Meanwhile, the Ketewa festival programme continues today with football match final at Technical College playground, Idanre at 10.00am. while night with legend featuring Sir Francis Akintade starts at 5pm to pave way for the grand finale which will be graced hopefully by political and societal leaders like Distinguished Senator Ayo Akinyelure, MHR Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefisoye Small Alhaj, MHA Hon. Festus Olanrewaju Akingbaso Fessywest, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Ondo APC Chairman, Mr. Akinsohun Clement Sholay, King Solomon Akinwole, Mr. Victor Agosile Bunnel, Chief Abidemi Akinde, the Obateru of Idanre kingdom at 7pm at Methodist High School, Idanre….
