Lambo, Ooni of Ife, other dignitaries to grace Ogidi Day

on Saturday, June 21, 2014, Former Health Minister; Professor Eyitayo Lambo will lead dignitaries from across the country to 2014 Ogidi Day, holding in Ogidi, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

This was stated in a press statement made available to Daily Newswatch, which stated that Lambo, who will be the chairman of the occasion, will be joined by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuade as Royal Father of the Day and Kogi State Deputy Governor, Arc Yomi Awoniyi as Chief Guest of Honour.

Daily Newswatch gathered from the statement that Ogidi Day, which commemorates the community’s new yam festival, holds every June and it features a colourful parade of cultural groups including the famous Olaga (maidens) dance.

Chairman, Ogidi Day Central Planning Committee, Mr. Ibrahim Allah, in a statement said an appeal fund would be launched at this year’s event to finance the re-development of the community’s markets and to procure equipment for the newly completed Ogidi Cottage Hospital.

“Renowned batik artist and the community’s prominent daughter, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery, Lagos, will be the mother of the day at the show which will also be graced by cultural troupes from Niger, Lagos, Anambra and Osun States. Prominent son of Igbominaland and Executive Director (Marketing), News Agency of Nigeria, Otunba Jide Adebayo and his wife will be installed as the Maiyegun and Yeye Maiyegun of Ogidi while Chief Alfred Ibikunle, Local Government Treasurer, Okehi Local Government, Kogi State and his wife will be made the Tadese and Yeye Tadese of Ogidi. National President, Okun Development Association, Ambassador Babatunde Fadumiyo is billed to be the Father of the Day while the Ciroman Nupe, Arc Usman Manko Babayitso, frontline Abuja entrepreneur and Amowomoni of Ogidi, Chief Emeka Okonkwo, Honourable Tajudeen Yusuf, Member representing Bunu/Ijumu/Kabba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, his predecessor, Otunba Dino Melaye and former Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Chief Bamidele Suru will serve as special guests of honour.
“Also in the spirit of the Ogidi Day 2014, Come 20th June, The Ripples and Medical Mot are giving out free health care services, medical consultation, Free medicines, checking of blood pressure and blood sugar. Come and see  change happen in Ogidi. The venue is Ogidi Town Hall. Time is 9.00am. And it is for everyone in the world,” the statement revealed.