Ewi, Fayemi, other prominent citizens celebrate Udiroko festival in Ado-Ekiti
The people of Ado-Ekiti, the capital town of Ekit State joined their paramount ruler, His Royal Majesty Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III (CON, JP), the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti to celebrate this year’s Udiroko festival.
State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, an indigene of Ado, wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Governor-Elect, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji and other prominent indigenes of the town, including politicians converged on the Ewi Palace ground to celebrate the festival. Thousands of the people of the ancient town besieged the Palace of their monarch dressed in different local fabrics to pay obeisance to the King who is the spiritual head of Ado Ekiti.
Mrs. Fayemi who holds a honourary traditional title of Ado Ekiti in a Facebook post wrote about the genealogy of the festival that is over 700 years old.
“The Udiroko Festival started in 1310 AD during the reign of Oba Awamaro, the first Ewi of the present-day Ado-Ekiti. The name, Udiroko, was derived from the venue of the first festival, which was held under an Iroko tree in the Ewi’s Palace. The event plays a pivotal role in the life of the people of Ado Ekiti.
“The event also symbolized the first meeting held by the ancestors of Ado when they assumed the town after a long journey from Benin.
“The monarch and his subjects set the day aside to give thanks to their creator, Olorun. Hence, it is nicknamed, “the Olorunborun festival”.
“It marks the beginning of a new year for the people. It is also a platform for unity and assemblage of all sons and daughters of Ado-Ekiti across the glob,” she said.
