First Ikale food festival holds as Bayo Akinseloyin promotes Ikale cultural heritage.
-Steve Ovirih .
The Odogbo of Omi, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Olorunsola Akinyelure has emphasized the need for the young ones to learn and imbibe the culture of their people, stressing that for cultural heritage not to extinct the younger generation must show interest. The first class monarch gave this indication at the maiden edition of Ikale Food festival organized by the Executive Director of Ikale TV Diary, the UK based Bayo Akinseloyin.
The Food festival featured exhibition of the local Ikale cuisine and the culinary skills of the participants who were students drawn from schools across Ikaleland.
The venue of the cultural rich event, Main hall of Stella Maris College, Okitipupa was a behive of activities as Draft game was played among keen competitors, while ‘ ayo olopon’ a local game of wits that the elders indulge to relax was played among the student participants.
Earlier, Chief Omotola Emaye, Arogun of Idepe Okitipupa, who stood in for the guest speaker had saluted the organizer for reawakening interest in culture, noting that the reason why the younger ones no longer know anything about the rich history and culture of Ikaleland is that such is not taught in school and no cultural icon has taken the giant stride of rousing peoples’ interest. He said Mr. Bayo Akinseloyin has taken the bull by the horn by starting this commendable program, charging him to sustain it as an annual event. “Our children should learn about out mode of dressing , the skills our mothers put into the preparation of local delicacies and they should learn the virtue of respect for elders. If all these cultural values are lost, then the ravaging foreign culture will run our heritage aground while the coming generation will be fast to absorb alien culture as theirs,” Chief Emaye added.
In his goodwill remark, the organizer, Mr. Bayo Akinseloyin thanked all the guests, the monarchs and friends of Ikale TV Diary, who have come to identify with the first Ikale food festival, assuring that the program has come to stay.
He noted that he is a well bred Ikale and no matter where he finds himself in the world, he will always project his ‘ Ikaleness’. He noted that aside the food exhibition of Ikale delicacies, about 200 Ikale\Ilaje Indigenes are factored into the program for special empowerment.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of Special recognition awards to three prominent Ikale icons who are awarded the Cultural Ambassador plaques in recognition of their worthy input and contributions to making life better for citizenry. The awardees were: Minnesota, United States based Engr. Babalola Oyesanmi, Convener, Robert Florence Oyesanmi Foundation; Sir Demola Suzy ( SDS) the rave maestro and social crooner and Chief Omotola Emaye, Biripo maestro of all time and Arogun of Idepe Okitipupa.
Other prominent persons at the food festival were Jegun Idepe Okitipupa, HRH Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye, The Olu of Igbokoda, who was represented by his wife, Olori Odidiomo, Orungberuwa of Ode Erinje, Oba Frederick Akinmoye and others.
