The Onpetu of Ijeru Kingdom, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran, Lagbami Osekun III has revealed why the 2022 Odun Oba Was tagged ‘Festival of Victory’.
The Monarch noted that when he was rounding off the year 2022 edition of the festival, he made a declaration that 2023 Odun Oba would be tagged ‘Celebration of Victory’.
But, little did he knows that he was making a prophetic statement despite the fact that he was not even conscious of 2023 elections and probably the winners.Today, the elections had come and gone and the winners emerged, while the rest belonged to history.
Oba Oladapo disclosed this in his welcome address at the 183rd edition of the festival held at Altar of Praise, Orile Oje on Friday whereby guests across Nigeria and abroad were in attendance.
Among the eminent personalities at the event was the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Sunday Dare. Others were Kabiyesis, Baales and Chiefs, government functionaries, clergymen and women, princes and princesses from within and outside, security agencies and gentlemen of the press.a
He stated: “On the occasion of Odun Oba 2023 with the theme: ‘Festival of Victory’ (Psalm 66 vs 1-20). My own song is ‘Ebami Juba re, e bami wole fun o. Jesu oko ijo iwo nikan lope ye.’
“You all will recollect that at this Altar of Praise last year when I was rounding off 2022 festival, I made a declaration that 2023 Odun Oba would be tagged ‘Celebration of Victory’
“Actually when I made the proclamation, little did I know that I was making a prophetic statement despite the fact that I was not even conscious of 2023 elections and probably the winners. Today the elections had come and gone and the winners emerged, the rest belonged to history.
“However, let me congratulate the winners and to appeal to those who could not make it this time that tomorrow is not too far in politics. It does happen like that. Remember one time American President, Abraham Lincoln who lost elections eight times and eventually became the President.
“Also, remember our own dear Engineer Oluwaseyi Makinde, he contested for Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but lost. On his next attempt, he could not make it to the primary stage of his party. He later contested for Governor of the same Oyo State, he lost. But today, he is the re-elected Governor of Oyo State. Therefore, remember that winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win.”
Furthermore, he said: “Why Festival of Victory? Personally, when I looked back into the past 23 years and 10 months, I saw challenges and I experienced victory roundabout. What then shall I say unto the Lord? All I have to say is thank you Lord. Between 2022 and now, it’s been God.
“Let me quickly mention one or two of such great challenges. First was the Heathrow experience (August 2022), and our daughter’s encounter with kidnappers (28th October 2022). In all of these, we give glory to God because it all ended in praise. Ebawa yin Oluwa Halleluyah…
“I know some of you here today have one or two challenges like we did have, but today, God has given you a song of victory over all those challenges and you can testify to His goodness.
“There will be time for testimonies next year, if Jesus tarries, there will be an improvement on the activities to mark our annual festival. We will be looking into probability of having an annual lecture on Traditional Institutions, Culture and Tradition.
“We will equally be looking at enlarging the night of drumming and pyrrhic and look at ways of improving our local drummers to bring out the beauty of our endowment.
“We will be deceiving ourselves if we refuse to agree to the fact that our culture and tradition are not fading out. We need to bring them back without compromising our faith. God will help us.
“Let me use this medium to appreciate all our guests. Kabiyesis, Baales and Chiefs, all eminent personalities, government functionaries, clergymen and women, princes and princesses from within and outside. Security agencies and gentlemen of the press.
Today is celebration of victory, let me quickly leave the stage for us to enjoy our celebrations and receive other divine gifts from God.
“Finally, I will not end this address without asking us to observe a minute silence in remembrance of the following heroes of faith who has gone to be with the Lord. May the Lord grant then eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
“It is on this note I want to welcome each and every one of you to this 2023 Odun Oba Festival. Oju a maa rodun ooooo.”
