Welcome to Ogidi
OGIDI is one of the Yoruba communities in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State with a population of about 15,000 people. Oral tradition records it that their progenitor was from Ile Ife, a place believed to be the source of all Yoruba, it is one of the towns in Kogi State that speak Yoruba fluently and has everything peculiar to Yoruba towns and cities .
OGIDI is one of the Yoruba communities in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State with a population of about 15,000 people. Oral tradition records it that their progenitor was from Ile Ife, a place believed to be the source of all Yoruba, it is one of the towns in Kogi State that speak Yoruba fluently and has everything peculiar to Yoruba towns and cities .
According to historical records, Ogidi has deep historical ties with the northern and western parts of Nigeria. The people of this town endured raids and eventually defeated the Nupe imperialists in late 19th century thus sealing their access to the western part of the country. The town is traditionally ruled by an Oba like other communities in Ijumu Local Government on a rotational basis between the two ruling houses of Itaji and Okelare.
The people of Ogidi are predominantly farmers and traders, but value education and ensured all their children have quality education and this was reflected in the organisation of their society and the way they relate in peace and harmony. Most of their children occupy top government positions and contribute to the growth of the younger generation and development of their community.
Though Ogidi is not excluded from the infrastructural and security challenges facing the nation, especially the bad state of road leading to the town and the incessant attack and invasion of the Bororoje cattle rearers on their farmland. All these and others constitute some of the major problems plaguing this town of great men and women of Okun land.
Despite these challenges, the people of the culturally rich community found it important to celebrate their cultural heritage with annual yam festival in a grandiose event which drew the attention of the whole world to the community on Saturday 21 June, 2014. It was an event of all colours, all ages and tribes, people of different tribe dressed in their traditional attires, displayed their cultural heritage through dance, hunting skills, masquerade, hairdo, and many other ways which showcased to the world the unique rich culture and tradition of the town.
This year’s celebration was a testimony to the fact that education is the best business for a community to invest in. This paid well for Ogidi , a small community in Okun land whose sons and daughters leveraged on this not only to attract eminent personalities for the occasion, but lured them in contributing to the development of the community .
The roll- call of eminent Nigerians and members of the diplomatic corps who could not but honour the community were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who was represented by the Oba Aderemi Adedapo, Alayemore of Ido – Osun.
The Etsu Nupe sent a 10 – man delegation, Dr Eyitayo Lambo and wife who was the chairman of the event, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation who sent the Director – General, National Art and Gallery, Chief Emeka Okonkwon, Amowomoni of Ogidi,who dispatched a bus load of Igbo delegates, Mallam Muhammed Haruna, former Managing Director, New Nigerian Newspapers, who was a keynote speaker, Elder Babtunde Fadumiyo, National President, Okun Development Association,who was the father of the day, Chief (Mrs ) Nike Okundaye, Yeyeoba of Ogidiland, promoter, Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Lagos, Hon Tajudeen Ayo Yusuf, member, House of Representatives, Mr Dino Melaye, former member, House of Representatives Maj-Gen Julius Oshanupin, Barrister Bamidele Suru, Chief Executive Officer, Chopmore Eateries, Lokoja while His Excellency, Mr Michael Arion,’ the Ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union to Nigeria led some members of the diplomatic corps to Ogidi.
The traditional rulers from the neighbouring communities, the Olus of Iya Gbedde, Ikoyi, Ilu Afon, Agrigbori, Aye Gbedde, Eleshope of Ayede Opa, Ologale of Ogale, Alayere of Ayere, were all present not only to give royal support to Oba Sule, but also to be participate and witnesses of the 2014 Ogidi Ela Day.
Speaking on the significance of the Ogidi Day celebration, the tradition ruler of the town Oba Sule said “ We started this yam festival in 2011, I was thinking that Ogidi which is a predominantly farming community should set out a day to honour God for blessing us with this wonderful product called yam. We are yam growers and to us it is amazing and interesting to see that when you cut yam into smaller pieces after nine months, it will come out big, so, that is God’s miracle which we have to celebrate and which we have been celebrating. We are also celebrating our cultural heritage along with the yam festival and probably raise some fund for the development of the community.”
He solemnly appealed to the state and Federal Governments to find a lasting solution to the security challenges bedevilling the community from the Fulani bororoje and help in construction of the road leading to the town which is about 12 kilometres stretch.
The chairman of the day, Professor Lambo commended the people of Ogidi for their unity especially towards the community development and urged them to continue to support any government initiatives that will boost their healthy living and security.
Prof Lambo who was the former Minister of Health maintained that Nigerians should be conscious of their health status especially high blood pressure and diabetes saying “high blood pressure and diabetes are the two major silent killers in the present day and it is important that people visit hospitals from time to time to know their status , it is when you know your status that you will be able to manage it,» h said.
Also the guest speaker Mallam Muhammed Haruna who was the former Managing Director, New Nigerian Newspapers in his address congratulated the Ogidi people for the community development initiatives and ideas which have helped them in achieving some feats as a community.
He pointed out that the community is a leading example of a typical Nigerian community that does not rely solely on government efforts for development.
Mallam Haruna however called on government at all levels to be alive to their responsibilities and urged the community not to relent in their effort in setting the pace for development of their people and lands.
Mr Tunde Ipinmisho, President, Ogidi Development Union, in his speech, praised God specially with songs and copious adulation for exhibiting His glory in the life of the community and sustainace of the Ogidi Day revealed that Ogidi – Ela day is beyond mere celebration of yam festival.
“Ogidi Day also provides us an opportunity to seek the assistance of our friends in prosecuting projects that would add value to the lives of our people. This is not a new thing for us since we have had to virtually on our own provide for ourselves the modern amenities taken for granted elsewhere.”
He informed that the three projects presented for assistance during the last year celebration, the town hall abandoned water work projects started 40 years ago by a Canadian, Catholic and Cottage Hospital.
Mr Ipinmisho informed that all the three projects have been completed and serving the community with special thanks to Mrs Nike Okudaiye who ensured that the Town hall was completed, Mr Olatunde Ayeni, Chairman Skye Bank donated a sum of N 5 million for the Cottage Hospital, and Senator Smart Adeyemi who roofed the town hall and other worthy friends with the Kogi State government for intervention and support.
He espoused that “We shall again be asking for your generous donations to enable us equip this newly completed Cottage Hospital to enable it commence operations. We also wish to develop our markets in the town some of which are older than I. This is part of our efforts at re-firing the local economy and I have no doubt that you will again respond to our plea.”
Mr Ipinmisho lamented the incursion of the Fulani nomads who daily make life a nightmare for the community “We are calling for urgent action on this from the nation . The Fulani herdsmen are threatening the existence of this town . On April 11, they hacked down an elderly member of this community without provocation .”
He called on government to “take urgent steps to protect us from unprovoked attack by our mindless visitors in our homes and our farms. Government should act now rather than wait to set up commission of inquiry and drive trailer of loads of relief materials to our territory should the worst happen.”
Mr Ipinmisho commended Mrs Nike Okundaiye who he described as “ a lady of inestimable value who was specially created by God to be born in Ogidi for the growth and development of the town and its indigenes. This rare breed of human has contributed and still contributing to the growth and development of the town more than anybody.”
He publicly recognised Dr Dayo Olagunju for “being an extra- ordinary Nigerian. If ever there was an upright and incorruptible man , Dr Olagunju , a prince of Otan Aiyegbaju , Osun State is one.”
Mr Ipinmisho lauded the efforts of the President of Okun Development Association, Elder Babtunde Fadamiyo, Major General JOS Oshanupin, Mohammed Haruna, Otunba Tunde Adebayo and all the chiefs of Ogidi for the stride at making the community a pride of Okun land .
In appreciation of their contributions to the development of Ogidi, the community through their king, Oba Sule conferred honorary chieftaincy titles on Otunba Jide Adebayo, Maiyegun, Chief (Mrs) Alice Ifedun Adebayo, Yeye Mayegun, Chief Omolade Ibikunle, Tadese, Chief (Mrs) Agnes Abiola Ibikunle, Yeye Tadese, Chief (Madam) Awawu W. Balogun, Atunluse respectively.
The 2014 Ogidi-Ela Day can be described as a perfect cultural exhibition of primordial values, cultural heritage , natural endowments for the lubrication of the chord of brotherhood respect to community development and support of external goodwill beautifully packaged by Ogidi Development Union under the leadership of Mr Ipinmisho.
In fact, progenitor of Ogidi-Ela will be happy in the heavens that they lived well on earth as those who they left behind added value , colours and attracted hundred prominent Nigerians and thousands of well wishers to witness a most memorable Ogidi-Ela Day on Saturday 21 June, 2014
It was indeed one of Ogidi’s finest days since its years of existence. .
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