Awori Cultural Festival Has Crystallized Our Struggle For Unification-Asiwaju Olagbaye

The just concluded Awori Cultural Festival has been described as an instrument that crystallized the age-long struggle aimed at bringing together all Aworis, both at home and abroad, under one umbrella.

This formed part of the address delivered by the National President of Awori Welfare Association, Asiwaju Mohammed Olagbaye, at the just concluded Awori Cultural Festival held at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to Asiwaju Olagbaye, the festival used to be celebrated in fringes by several Awori communities and towns over the years, adding that the Aworis have since been brought together for the first time under the umbrella of Awori Cultural Day Celebration, courtesy Awori Welfare Association with success and fanfare.

He added that the crystallization of the Aworis has led to the discovery of the existence of Awori communities in both Ogbomoso and Ibadan in Oyo State.

“It is revealing to inform you that through the efforts of the Awori Think Tanks, which was set up by the Awori welfare Association in Nigeria in the year 2020, it has been discovered and established that Aworis are also in Oyo State.”

While congratulating all Aworis in Lagos Ogun and Oyo States respectively, he enjoined the Aworis to continue to forge ahead and be united to to build a strong and progressive Awori Nation, noting that the colourful event was not conceived this year, but 20 years ago.

“This is the time that lord has made,” he said.

Appreciating the great sons and daughters of Awori, who are the architects of Awori Welfare Association, both dead and alive, Asiwaju Olagbaye commended the likes of the late Fagbemi Beyioku, the late Justice Charles Bada, Justice Ishola Oluwa, the late M.O Kosoko and the late Chief Ebenezer A.O Gbeleyi among others for their unflinching support for the actualization of building a formidable Awori Nation.

A former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olusegun Bolanle Gbeleyi, who is the chairman of the Governing Board of Digital Bridge Institute, recognised the support of both the Lagos and Ogun State Governments for making the festival a success.

He also recognised the “creative wizardry of Adetunji Fadina, who conceived the idea of forming Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria.”

The festival also witnessed the award presentation to some of the illustrious sons of Aworiland including post humous award for the fallen heroes.

Some of the awardees includes the late Chief Ebenezer A.O Gbeleyi, the late Professor Lateef Salako, the late Suleiman Opeifa, while the National President of the Association, Asiwaju Muhammad Olagbaye and Asiwaju Olawale Cole also received award for their efforts aimed at sustaining the association.

-Johnson Onifade.