Adewunmi Ademiju, Ado Ekiti
Leaders, sons and daughters of Ifaki Ekiti, an ancient town in Ido-Osi Local government area of Ekiti State have commemorated this year’s Okorobo festival to raise funds for youth empowerment.
The funds tagged Ifaki Youth Endowment Fund initiative (IYEFUND) is a five million naira (N5million) reinvestment loan, which would be made available to Ifaki youth annually.
Speaking on the fund, President of Ifaki Community Youths, Sesan Ojo told our correspondent that prominent Ifaki indigenes were behind the funds set out to empower Ifaki youths on entrepreneurship, agriculture, small and medium scale businesses, leadership and self employment. It is also to be used to develop the creative ability of the youths to make the community a crime free zone.
Corroborating the President of Ifaki Youths on the youth empowerment programme, another youth leader, President of Iwore youth quarters, Fasuan Micheal urged the entire Ifaki youths to positively utilize the opportunity.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere of Ifaki was full of warmth and splendour on Saturday as the entire community celebrated the annual Okorobo festival
The Okorobo festival according to the people of Ifaki, is an annual festival synonymous with the popular new yam festival that brings their sons and daughters home and in diaspora together to rejoice in love and unity.
The prominent priest of Okorobo is the Oluwore of Iwore quarters , High Chief S O Familoye noted that “though Ifaki Ekiti is made up of four quarters namely Iwore , Egun, Ilero, and Ilogbe quarters, the Okorobo Festival, is prominent in the among the people of Iwore quartersl” even as he added that “the festival is celebrated by all and sundry in the community.”.
“It is a notable festival among the children and adults in Ifaki Ekiti. It is a period that all prayers are answered – the sick are healed, the barren gives birth.everybody is always happy at the period,” he added.
The Esinba of Ifaki, High chief Onileola Odunayo, who is the second in command to Oluwore, said the Okorobo celebration is a time for merrymaking time in the entire Community, the Esinba chief said the festival is also an avenue to celebrate new yam festival in the ancient town.
He said, “Ifaki indigenes wine and dine together as the festival depicts the rich cultural heritage of Yoruba cultures and traditions.
Our correspondenr who visited the scene of the celebration reported that Okorobo has two traditional symbols.
At exactly five o clock on the day of celebration, the symbols were carried and displayed around the community, precisely within Iwore quarters with traditional dances, songs cultural display while people were in joyous mood.
Chief Onileola explained that pig is the main traditional meat for the celebration.“ Traditionally, it is believed that pig in this sense, serves as a soothing effect as no evil or misfortune will happen during the celebration”
“it is a time of excessive eating and drinking in felicitation. It’s a festival of serve yourself which some of the people claimed is more glamorous than Christmas celebration.
