Unrestrained ecstasy pervaded the entire Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday, as the ancient town celebrated its annual festival christened: ‘Okemeji Tako Tabo’.
The festival, which symbolizes the origination of the famous Town from Ile-Ife and their first ancestral settlement on the Ikare Hills, was embellished with series of cultural exhibitions and witnessed by high profile persons, was held at the Palace of Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba. Adeleke Adefemi Adegbite-Adedoyin II.
The four days event which began on Wednesday, 19th of October, 2022, featured—Prayer on top of Okemeji Tako Tabo hills, Seminar, Quiz competition and Special town hall meeting.
Speaking at the final lap of the programme held at his palace in Ikare, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin described the festival as a remarkable event which has never been downplayed due to its huge significance, adding that the festival also portends celebration of progenitors who deeply rooted the Town in its present hilly settlement.
Oba Adeleke Adedoyin also expressed delight at the quantum of Infrastructural development going on in the town, as emphasized on the construction of the dual carriage road, which the Monarch said, had immensely contributed to the growth of Ikare-Akoko.
Owa-Ale, who was recently promoted to a First Class monarch, therefore, extolled the virtue of the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for not keeping the ancient Town at arm’s length in his strong developmental drive to rejuvenate the nooks and crannies of the State.
He said, “Today is a remarkable day in Ikare as we celebrate the Okemeji Tako Tabo Festival. We are celebrating our forebears who came from Ile-ife, and ever since then, we have been progressing in all spheres”
“It is on this note I want to thank our Arakunrin Governor who has done so well for us in Ikare-Akoko. Infact, he is trying to turn our Town into small London with the development going on in our environment. Many of our roads are being tarred by the Government”
“I thank our Senator, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice and our (House of reps member) representative, Hon. Bunmi-Tunji-Ojo, for consistently showing love for our community through facilitation of projects”
Owa-Ale, however, appreciated the manner with which indigenes and non-indigenes had conducted themselves with propriety, urging them to maintain tranquility in all their dealings.
Underscoring the significance of the colorful festival, High Chief Okunade Rafiu, the Olona of Ikare, said “Okemeji Tako Tabo represented where the first progenitor settled ab intio before the descended from the hill.
Also, the Yèyé Asa of Ikareland, Chief Mrs. Modupe Akerele, urged youths to embrace and promulgate the culture entrenched by their forebears, maintaining that no culture is prehistoric, but needs to be practiced.
IMPORTANCE OF THE FESTIVAL
Owa-Ale who was flanked by some of chiefs like High Chief Olokoja of Okoja Ikare, Olona of Okegbe Ikare, Oniku of Iku Ikare song others, said “On thursday, as part of my traditional right and cultural heritage as the Owa-Ale of Ikare, I led the people of Ikare to our progenitor hills, okemeji tako tabo, where words of prayers were offered on development and progress of Ikare Akoko, Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“A special prayer session was also held on God’s directives and prolonged life in good health with respect to the political leaders using the Governor of Ondo State as point of contact to other political headship in Ondo State and Nigeria in general.
“Okemeji tako tabo is the projenitor hill of Ikare dynasty. Ourforefathers, starting from Owa-Ale Agbaode identified this hill through the Ifa divination and settled around it over the years, history has it that positive answers have always been recorded over the prayers offered on the hill.
“According to history, the picture and description of the okemeji tako tabo had earlier been offered to Owa-Ale Agbaode when he left Ile Ife. The journey of Owa-Ale Agbaode and his group which culminated in their eventual settlement on the hill (okemeji tako tabo) was actually pre-informed by Ifa divination, Ifa had revealed the unique features of the hill (a hilly place where there is a brook on top of the hill).
“Hence, the hill was discovered, Owa-Ale and his group settled there. As such, this hill is also referred to as Owa-Ale hill. The water inbetween the brook hill is called ‘omi atan’ (water that does not dry). Ikare shall be great again,” the First Class Monarch said.
