As Ilawo Hosts 2nd Ayo Olopon Games
In a bid to strengthen the reportage and access to information on his community, the Olu of Orile Ilawo indigenous community, Alaiyeluwa Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor has appointed a veteran journalist, Lanre Olaleye as Head of the Media and Publicity Directorate of the palace.
In a press statement signed by George Olabode Adebini, Palace Secretary to the Olu of Ilawo on Wednesday 7 May, 2025, Olaleye’s appointment bodes well with Kabiyesi’s agenda to position Ilawo among the top echelon of indigenous communities in Nigeria.
“Kabiyesi is strongly committed to the all round development of Ilawo in terms of infrastructure and human capital development through the ‘Ilawo of Our Dream Agenda.’
“The success of this agenda will only be achieved through a positive public perception of our efforts at giving a positive narratives about Ilawo. And Olaleye will bring his three decades experience from stints in some of Nigerian frontline media establishments to bare on internal and external communications of the palace and Ilawo community as a whole,” Adebini said.
He added: “With his wealth of experience and network of contacts in the Nigerian media circle, we are confident of charting a truly new beginning towards the Ilawo of our dream.”
A graduate of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Ogba, Lagos, Olaleye holds his first and second degrees in Journalism and Communication Studies from Lagos State University (LASU).
He was formerly Sports Editor of PM. News, the defunct prodigious Lagos evening newspaper published by Independent Communications Network Limited (ICNL) publisher of The News/Tempo/P.M. News.
After 10 years successful stint, the veteran journalist moved over to Daily Independent Newspapers in 2005, when he was appointed Editor of Daily Independent Breaking News and later Crime Editor.
He was Managing Editor of The Premier Tabloid- Nigeria’s first tabloid weekly published by ROOBS Communications Network Company before delving into Media and Public Relations practice as a consultant.
In a related development, arrangements have been concluded for hosting of the 2nd edition of the annual ‘Ayo Olopon Tournament’ -the indigenous Yoruba board game organized by Macgregor Heritage Foundation to promote peace and unity among Egba sons and daughters across towns and communities in Abeokuta and its environs.
The tournament which is sponsored by Nigerian Distilleries Limited, makers of Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps is slated to hold from Friday, 16 May, to Saturday, 17 May, 2025 at Oba Ilawo’s Palace, Ilawo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The two-day community-oriented traditional sporting event will involve top men and women Ayo players in a round-robin contest under a carnival-like atmosphere spiced up with music, dance, food and drink.
Speaking on the forthcoming event, the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Alexander Olusegun MacGregor expressed his delight as Ilawo becomes the centre of attraction for the two-day event.
“For two days, Ilawo would host top Ayo players from the whole of Egba land. We are excited to be part of efforts at promoting the Yoruba cultural heritage through Ayo Olopon- a game deeply intertwined with wisdom, strategy, and communal harmony of our forebears.
“The inaugural edition witnessed remarkable participation but this year’s edition promises to be highly competitive with lots of gift and cash prizes to be won even as we look forward to a cultural engagement among our people from all walks of life,” Oba MacGregor remarked.
