It was celebration galore as several communities which make up Apunren-Ijebu in Ijebu North East local government area of Ogun state came together to celebrate their community day, overwhelmingly recognize and receive their choice of candidate for the community kingship and also seek for communal development.
The event coordinated by Chief M.A Adenaike, the Chairman of Apunren Community Development Association was attended by Baales from the 16 communities which constitute Apunren-Ijebu.
According to sources, the Community Day is the time of the year that all the 16 communities will come together to celebrate their oneness, and express appreciation to God for the help and advancement to Sons and daughters of the Apunren Ijebu. As it was further gathered, it is also a commemoration of the indigene’s resilience as a people from the Keleja Era. The event was held at Apunren-Ijebu Community Center Ground at Eriwu, Apunren-Ijebu.
This year event was very special to the indigenes and residents of Apunren community as they overwhelmingly recognized and received the Kabiyesi-elect of the town, Chief Jimson Owode Oyelaja, who had earlier been chosen by the Council of Baales and the Apunren elders and leaders to become the king of the community.
There was an early morning meeting of the Baale’s attended by Chief Owode Jimson Oyelaja, the Oba-elect of the Community. It was from the meeting, the entourage thereafter proceeded to the community ground to the warm embrace of people from all over the 16 communities of Apunren-Ijebu.
The presentation of the Kabiyesi-elect to the Community was formally done by Coordinator of the Apunren-Ijebu Baale’s in Council, Chief Alaba Odufuwa – Baale Odogbolu. He was received by the Chairman of Apunren-Ijebu CDA Chief M.A. Adenaike, Evangelist Dotun Okusanya (Community Spokesperson) from Okejagun, Akin Okuyemi (Ikeji-Ilu Odolemere), Mr. S.T. Oyelaja (Okelapenni), Mr. Dele Ogundeko (Idile) and Pa J.O. Olorunkoya (the Community Treasurer) on behalf of the Community.
The Coordinator of the Baales of the Apunren Ijebu who spoke on the celebration said “It is a day we all have been waiting for. Today, we officially start the process of getting a king to rule over us. We are happy that, we will finally get a king after the blessing of Alayeluiwa, Kabiyesi Sikiru Adetona, Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.
Each community Baale took turns and led their people to pay obeisance and congratulate the Kabiyesi-elect, who would now rule over the ancient town of Apunrenland, after his recognition by the Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the state government.
The local masquerades displayed in different styles, and local singing group sang to accompany the show/entertain the gathering.
