By Adewole Akanni
Plans are in top gear for the week-long activities that will culminate in the grand finale of the 2022 Okeho Day celebration. The event will begin on November 20, 2022, while the grand finale will take place on November 26, 2022.
Okeho, the headquarters of Kajola Local Government area of Oyo State, is a valley-town agrarian community surrounded by seven hills which include Eti-Igun, Oke-Olofin, Akasube, Biayin, Okofori, Meseole and Obaapa.
In his Royal statement, Onjo of Okeho, Oba Dr. Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, Adeiitan II said, “we are set for the homecoming of our sons and daughters from all across the world to mark another historic event in our hometown with pomp and pageantry. It is always a joyous occasion where we celebrate our achievers, motivate our youngsters and also showcase the beauty of our community to the world.”
“With myriads of self-developmental efforts of the town, we are delighted to say that our community has continued to experience tremendous growth from the confederation of eleven independent communities, namely Alubo, Bode, Gbonje, Ijo, Imoba, Isia, Isemi, Oke-Ogun, Ogan, Olele and Pamo. The new quarters as- Ilupeju, Asaka, Asin, Ajegunle (Abu),” the Oba added.
Bolstering this, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, High Prince Dr. Leye Babalola, this year’s Okeho Day is another call to continually build our hometown. As a community that has thrived on the generous spirit of our sons and daughters spread across the world. We are converging again for a weeklong celebration to fraternize with one another.”
The chairman, therefore, called on the sons and daughters of Okeho, both home and abroad, to contribute immensely towards the success of the programme and the development of their source.
While reeling out the programmes of activities for the weeklong celebration, the Secretary of the Central Planning Committee, Pastor Tim Alaba Amosun said there would be a church thanksgiving service; an interschool Quiz competition scheduled to take place at Onjo Secondary High School, Okeho; a community-wide Clean-up Day; and a Political Summit. Other activities are an Economic Summit; Gbagede Oba where all the quarters and community societies pay homage to Kabiyesi, the chief host, the custodian of the norms, values, culture, and tradition of town; a Jumaat prayer and a novelty football match.
The grand finale on Saturday, November 26 intends to be a celebration of culture, fashion, glamour, candour, beauty, and royalty as sons and daughters of Okeho will converge in large numbers.
Expected at the event are people from traditional rulers, political, corporate & social Nigeria, and people from all walks of life to experience the unique lifestyle of Okeho.
Recently, the town was granted approval by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to begin academic activities at the Okeho Study Centre.
Speaking on behalf of the phase one participating states and the Federal Capital Territory, the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade praised the innovativeness of the program and said “the SAPZ program will help Nigeria develop an economy independent of oil. The program is a classical departure from other projects we know.”
The first phase of the program will include seven States: Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The SAPZ program has already garnered huge momentum as an additional 19 State governments have expressed strong interest to participate in the program.
Ministers and other senior federal officials, state governors, private sector and members of the diplomatic corps attended the launch ceremony. During the event, Vice President Osinbajo launched a set of commemorative stamps for the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones. The stamps were designed by Nigerian postal service in conjunction with a local NGO, FLEESD.
In a rallying call around the SAPZ program, Adesina said: “The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) will help feed Nigeria, transform rural economies, expand fiscal space, fully unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential, and create millions of jobs.”
“I am delighted that the SAPZs have finally come to pass in Nigeria and across Africa,” said Adesina.
