IJARE DAY 2023: Artisans, Market Women Empowered as Students Receive Bursary, Scholarship

By Dupson Collins, 14th November, 2023

The emphorium that greeted 2023 Ijare Day celebration will for a long time remain evergreen in the memory of the community as many indigenes of the town went home smiling considering the magnitude of financial and material empowerment doled out to them.

The 5 days event was full of memorable activities and Saturday 12th of November was the mother of all event as sons and daughters of the ancient community from different parts of the world gathered at Anglican Grammar School Ijare School Field to celebrate culture and traditions.

Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon Bankole Oluwajana, a Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress congratulated sons and daughters of Ijare on this year Ijare Day.

He called for unity among warring Royal Families and Chiefs in the Community saying only unity can bring rapid development and progress to the ancient town.

As part of his continuous contributions to the education develpoment of the town, Hon Oluwajana gave Scholarship to 10 Students from SSS 1 to University Level saying education is the only vehicle to greatness.

He encouraged all sons and daughters of the town that are well-to-do to always remember their place of birth and contribute their quota to the development of Ijare.

In the same vein, the President of Egbe Omo Ijare Elewe Obi, Mr Akin Oluwole rejoiced with the community for the grace to witnessed the 2023 Ijare Day while charging beneficiaries of the empowerment programme and students to make good use of the opportunity offered them on a platter of gold.

He added that aside the merriment of the celebration, Ijare Day afforded well-to-do sons and daughters of the town to give back to the community in terms of empowerment and education support to the students.

The President enjoined all indigenes of the community to use their God given resources to add value into the lives of the people and development of Ijare.

The Reagent of the town also congratulated the community for the successful outing of this year celebration while preaching unity, peace and love among his subject and Ijare community at large.

The Immediate Past Chairman of Ifedore Local Government who double as the son of the soil, Engr Alex Oladimeji preached peace and harmony among the indigenes of the community saying a united Ijare will bring needed development to the community.

He assured the community that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN will construct Akure-Ijare Road before the expiration of his tenure.

Speaking with PATH, the Chairman Ijare Day 2023 Planning Committee, Prof Sola Fayose thanked all sons and daughters of the community for their financial support saying despite the challenges faced at the onset, they were able to put up a successful outing.

Fayose added that money expended on empowerment of Artisans, Market Women, Bursary and Scholarship of students gulfed almost N10m, noting that all these were achieved with the support of the sons and daughters of the community both home and abroad.

He further said the scholarship and empowerment initiative of the Planning Committee was designed to assist brilliant students to further their education and also support Artisans that lack working tools.

While charging the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment given to them, Fayose said the Community will set up Monitoring Team to ensure the equipment are not sold and put into proper use.

In appreciation of the laudable contributions of some prominent indigenes of the community, Award of Excellence was confered on CPS Adewumi and another eminent son of the community.

Aside distribution of Sewing Machines, Grinding Machines, Cash, Bursary and Scholarship, other side attractions includes Match Pass, Okada Riders display, traditional dance, Hunters Dance and others.

Dignitaries in attendance includes Hon Bankole Oluwajana, Mr Dele Oluwadare, Engr Alex Oladimeji, Mr Akin Oluwole, Reagent of Ijare, Chief Mrs Aladesanmi, Osemowe of Ijare, Chiefs, CSP Adewumi,Prof Sola Fayose, Associations and Unions among others invited guests and indigenes of the town.