The national leadership of Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association (EACDA), has announced plan to host national and sub-national participants, as well as tourists from across the globe, at this year edition of its annual Ekinrin-Adde Day festival, reports thegazellenews.com.
Thegazellenews.com reports further that this year’s event will be the 32nd edition.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the event, Prince Babajide Kolade-Otitoju,(BKO), announced this at a press conference in Abuja, on Monday, 16 June, 2025.
He stated that the festival will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the community to the whole world
According to Kolade-Otitoju, EACDA is set to deliver a glamorous event in the mold of iconic cultural festivals like Ojude Oba in Ijebu Ode; the Lisabi Day in Abeokuta; Ekimogun Day in Ondo; and other cultural carnivals across the Yoruba communities in Nigeria.
The planning committee chairman said the annual Ekinrin-Adde Day Carnival aims at raising awareness of the people and drawing attention to the pride of place that culture and tourism have in boosting social and economic development as well as promoting national unity.
He added that the festival will also showcase the culture, noble values and traditions that define people of the community
“Mindful that our culture is the heartbeat of our community and the thread that weaves us together as a people, the carnival is our way of proudly showcasing who we are, our culture, the noble values and traditions that define us.
“Ekinrin-Adde Day is more than a festival; it is a reaffirmation of our shared identity and the unity that we hold dear. Our characteristic deep sense of togetherness has always been our greatest strength.
“It is what has propelled us to achieve remarkable firsts and great milestones, thereby setting the pace, not only in Okunland, but across Kogi state and beyond,” Kolade –Otitoju said, just as he also added that Ekinrin-Adde is reputed as a pace-setter in community organizing and social development initiatives.
“Through organised self-help, the community has unparalleled records of firsts, among constituent communities in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. It has the record of building the first secondary school, first maternity centre, first postal agency, the first Ijumu community to have two secondary schools, and first to have two banks- International Bank for West Africa (IBWA) in 1985, (which later became Afribank), and Ekinrin-Adde Community Bank in 1992,” he added.
According to him, there are a number of activities that are lined up as part of the carnival this year.
These include; a N600 million Infrastructure Development Fund, which is a community-driven initiative that seeks to accelerate critical social development projects in the community.
This according to him, “will reinforcing our long-standing tradition of self-help and sense of collective responsibility; the popular Akogba Mountain Hike which has attracted large national and international participants since its inception, and a gala nite, where awards will be presented to deserving illustrious sons and daughters including friends of the community from across various parts of the country, who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of our homeland.”
Aside this, Kolade –Otitoju added that key additional features to the festival this year, is the introduction of innovative contents such as: essay competition, which serves as a critical bridge between culture and intellect, and also seeks to “teach our young people that tradition and critical thinking go hand-in-hand. The essay competition allows them to write themselves into history”.
He also added that the festival will showcase food and culinary exhibitions, vibrant cultural fashion displays; clan-based oral poetry renditions, reenactment of traditional marriage rites and protocols, as well as homage processions to His Royal Majesty, by various groups, associations and branches of Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association, home and abroad.
“The rendezvous of Ekinrin-Adde Day Festival, which has assumed the status of a global cultural brand, is a sacred melting pot of nativity and a melting point between our past, our present responsibilities, our aspirations, and the collective future. It is a celebration of resilience, of innovations, of unity, and of shared purpose, showing what is possible when communities take ownership of their development.
“We are proud to aver that Ekinrin-Adde Day is fast redefining cultural tourism in the confluence state of Kogi and in Nigeria in general. The festival, which gives us a platform to celebrate and showcase our rich culture, and underscores the high premium we place on our womenfolk, and the critical role of women in sustainable development,” he said.
Ekinrin-Adde community is a remarkably modern Okun-Yoruba community in Ijumu LGA in the West Senatorial District of Kogi State. It is renowned for its prodigious human capital and natural resource endowment, and has made glorious contributions of eminent sons and daughters to Nigeria, who have made remarkable contributions to national development, pre and post-independence.
The community is the native home of some highly esteemed individuals in Nigeria, notable for their strategic positions and contribution to national development. These include but are not limited to the following:
(a) His Lordship, Justice John Afolabi Fabiyi (JSC), CFR, first Okun man, and second Kogi compatriot to reach the Nigerian Apex Court, the Supreme Court. He retired meritoriously in November 2015.
(b) Gen. Julius Olakunle Oshanupin (Rtd), former GOC, 3rd Armoured Division, Jos and former Commander, Brigade of Guards, Aso Villa, Abuja.
(c) Navy Commander LMO Fabiyi (Rtd), former Director, Legal Services, Nigerian Navy.
(d) Col. Tunde Fagbemi (Rtd), former Deputy Chief of Staff, State House, Abuja and former Director, Legal Services, Nigerian Army.
(e) High Chief Felix Ikumapayi MFR, who retired as Director Operations, Department of State Services (DSS).
(f) The famous Olympic football gold medalist, Abiodun Obafemi, MON, of the Atlanta ’96 fame.
(g) Prof. Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi, current Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, who previously served as President, Historical Society of Nigeria
(h) Prof. Solomon Gbenga Ibileye, Provost, School of Post-Graduate Studies, Federal University Lokoja
(I) Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, current National Publicity Secretary, Social Democratic Party (SDP)
(j) Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Chairman, House Committee on Finance, House of Representatives, National Assembly
(k) Hon. Justice Alaba Omolaiye Ajileye, PhD. (Rtd), a renowned jurist and celebrated authority in electronic evidence jurisprudence
(l) Moses Kolade Obafemi, SAN
(m) Bishop Funke Adejumo, Agape Ministry, Akure, a renowned clergy and internationally acclaimed motivational speaker
(n) Omoba Tunde Ajibulu, mni Deputy Executive Secretary, UBEC
(o) Prince Babajide Kolade Otitoju (BKO), Director of Current News Affairs, TVC Communications, and other numerous notable sons and daughters of the community who are making waves in different fields of human endeavours.
