By Bayo Aka
THE 28th celebration of Iyara Cultural Day was full of funfair as it displayed the rich culture of the people. It was also a fund raising event for infrastructural developments, specially to rehabilitate school and reticulate water.
Held at the Iyara Town Hall and Civic Center, Unity Street, the event brought together people from all walks of life who came all over the world to be part of the epoch making event.
In his welcome address, the National President, Iyara Development Association (IDA), Alhaji Tunde Aliyu Badaki, described the event as the finest where the rich cultural heritage of Iyara people are displayed to the world. Badaki said it was a unique event as it is purely indigenous and a unifying factor.
The National President disclosed that the importance of the event could not be overemphasized as it is a means of preserving the rich cultural heritage handed down from generation to generation .
Importantly, Badaki said, the event was organized to raise funds for community development purposes, noting that many of the amenities being enjoyed are from such raised funds.
He however said community efforts were still not enough to address shortage of infrastructural facilities which made it imperative to tag the 2022 edition of Iyara Cultural Day: a – One hundred million naira Education and Water Development Fund. This ,he said, was for the purpose of rehabilitation, reconstruction as well as provide facilities for education and water.
He assured that the fund to raised would be judiciously utilised just as the previous ones have been well accounted for as he urged all and sundry to donate generously.
Against this background, IDA built, commissioned and handed over an Administrative Block to the management of Iyara Community College.
While commissioning the Administrative Block ,the Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, Oba Williams Ayeni said putting the building in place has become necessary as there were not enough buildings to cater for the needs of teachers and students, adding that the available few were used as classrooms.
The royal father who appreciated IDM’s effort, pointed out that teachers would henceforth be able to discharge their responsibilities to the best of their abilities in view of the provision of an enabling environment.
In his goodwill message during the event, Oba Ayeni said Iyara Day has come to stay in the last 28 years , noting that many have keyed into the developmental purposes for which it was set up.
He urged guests and indegines to donate generously towards the set goals, saying the target could even be raised to #200 million, adding that there was need for indegines to contribute money towards infrastructural development.
Chairman of the event,Mr Idris Fadile who is Managing Director of De Sweden Company expressed joy in witnessing the occasion. Represented by Hon Mathew Agidi, he said he was happy to be identified with the day, and being part of the people who contribute to the development of their community, saying it was a laudable thing. He promised to continue to associate with what could lead to the progress of Iyara Community.
Fadile announced a donation of half a million naira to support IDA’s effort at upgrading public facilities in the community.
Also speaking at the event, Kogi State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Victor Omonaiye who congratulated Iyara people on the success of this year event and sustaining such a festival, described culture as the way of life of a people and their cultural heritage.
Stressing further the importance of culture, the Commissioner said it is the only thing that can bring the people of a place together and therefore it is a unifying factor, noting that it ends up bringing peace into a community. He noted that the Western World loves culture because of the numerous advantages in it.
Chief Omofaiye who is the Atuluse of Iyara urged the people to sustain the good relationship and love they are associated with.
Supporting his donation,Mr. Matthew Ajigi announced a sum of N50,000while Hon. Alaba Medaiyedu, his well wisher, donated N50,000 on behalf of Aloma De Sweden’s friends.
The Chairperson, Mrs Yemisi Asaju-Oyebo donated the sum of one million naira.
The chairperson also said that as a means of encouraging academic pursuits in Iyara Community seven teachers who have distinguished selves in the discharge of their duties would be honored with awards while 14 students ,males and females, who excelled in academics would be given scholarship yearly.
The Chief Launcher, Mr. Richard Osaseyi donated N1,000,000 in addition to the donation of N500,000 by his foundation.
The Director-General of the 28th Iyara Cultural Day, Mr. Samuel Olorundare charged citizens of the community to use the event for stocktaking.
He urged them to recognise their strength and weaknesses and work together to overcome the challenges ahead as a united community and nation at large.
Different cultural throup displayed to the admiration of the audience. Spectacularly were the masquerades from Ogidi and within Iyara as well as the maiden dance known as “ijo Iyawo” which showcased how weddings were conducted traditionally.
It was an event full of funfairs.