Dignitaries storm Mopa to witness the Maiden Edition of Mopa Adegbederin Day
By Olugbemi Femi – Lokoja
Mopa community, headquarters of Mopamuro Local Government Area in Kogi West Senatorial District, Kogi State in the North Central of Nigeria was agog on Saturday, 28th December, 2024, as dignitaries from all walks of life with the presence of the creme de la creme of Mopa sons and daughters, both home and abroad to witness the rich cultural heritage of the people on the first ever Mopa Adegbederin Day hosted by the Digital Monarch of the community, His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun.
The playground of the ECWA Secondary School, (ESSMO) IN Mopa was filled with array of prominent personalities who were on ground with the community Monarch to celebrate the people’s culture and traditions in grand style with the representatives of the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo.
Speaking at the occasion, the representative of the Governor, the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd) commended the people of Mopamuro local government area for their unwavering support and cooperation with the current administration in the state.
He said Governor Ododo is committed in completing the ongoing road projects and other developments in not only the community but the entire local government area and other parts of the state, pointing out that Mopamuro is dear to his administration like other parts of the state.
He described Oba Ibeun as a young vibrant resourceful Royal father who is highly committed to the development of his people considering his modest achievements since he ascended the throne of his forefathers. This, he said shows that the community did not made any mistake of enthroning him as their paramount ruler.
He charged the people to continue to rally round the monarch for the community to enjoy peace, tranquility and development, stressing that the Mopa Day which is usually celebrated in a hall has been reformed to be Mopa Adegbederin Day and shifted to an open field to broaden the participation of the entire people of the community to showcase their rich cultural heritage to the world.
Speaking at the event, the paramount ruler of Mopa kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, the Elulu of Mopa land and Chairman, Mopamuro Traditional Council, said it has become expedient for the traditional council to reform such an event to meet up with the twenty first century, where the people can showcase their culture and also interact with one another in other to foster peace, unity and development of the community.
He said the success of the event was a result of hard work put in the organization of the world class event by all stakeholders who believe in the Mopa project, stressing that going forward the event will be holding on December 28th every year.
During the programme, the eight (8) communities that made up Mopa displayed their respective rich cultures and traditions in a unique way. The communities are Okeguru-Odole, Okedagun-Odole, Adogbe-Odole, Ayin aku-Ileteju, Ilegemo-Ileteju, Ipatia-Ileteju, Ikeji-Ileteju and Ijagbe-Ileteju.
While Ayinaku-Ileteju community won, Ikeji-Ileteju and Ijagbe-Ileteju emerged the 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.
The fifteen (15) newly coronated Chiefs and three (3) newly crowned kings (Obas) were also announced and introduced.
The Obas are;
1. His Royal Highness, Oba David Saul Olojo — Oba of Ileteju-Mopa
2. His Royal Highness, Oba Joseph Faje — Oba of Ijagbe, Ileteju-Mopa
3. His Royal Highness, Oba Rotimi Komolafe — Oba of Patia, Ileteju-Mopa.
The Chiefs are;
1. Chief (Elder) Richard Obafemi Ibigbemi — Alaherin Omolokun Okedohan of Mopa
2. Chief Ayodele Oluwole Joseph — Eleta Ilenila Alesoko Okeguru of Mopa
3. Chief Agunhoe Theo Aladeniji — Obadofin Omoeage-Ilaofin of Mopa
4. Chief (Elder) Matthew Jonah — Atobareku Omoeage-Ilaofin of Mopa
5.Chief Joshua Ojo — Obanwo Omoeage-Ilaofin of Mopa
6. Chief Kayode Olorunlaiye — Atokulu Omoeage-Ilaofin of Mopa
7. Chief (Dr.) Anjorin Korede Henry — Elewa Omolokun Idiope of Mopa
8. Chief Olukotun Albert Oluseyi — Omoribaun Omolokun Idiope of Mopa
9. Chief (Evang.) Alaiyemo Durojaiye Stephen — Olu-Ilaro of Mopa
10. Chief (Apostle) Michael Olorunjuwon Godwin — Elewe-eri Ayinaku of Mopa
11. Chief (Elder) Hon. Makinde Oyebode — Aro Ayinaku of Mopa
12. Chief Olatunde John Josiah — Ajaponna Ayinaku of Mopa
13. Chief Job Kayode Korede (JP) — Aladuge Omolokun Idiope of Mopa
14. Chief (Alhaji) Babalola Dare Yusufb — Olojo Omolokun Okedohan of Mopa
15. Chief (Elder) Owonibi Ojo Johnson — Aladuge Omolokun Okedohan of Mopa.
The newly coronated and crowned Chiefs and Kings were presented with certificates approved by the MTC and signed by the Elulu, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun.
The traditional council also announced the recognition of some prominent Mopa Sons and Daughters for prestigious award of community service, part of those who merited and earned the awards are Engr. E.S Kayode (Awoya) FNSE, Duro Adeyele (SAN), Chief Alex Ayodele John (Delex), amongst others.
The Alamuro of Amuro, His Royal Majesty, Oba Alfred Modupe Aiyedogbon, who also specially graced the occasion during his speech, appreciated Oba Ibeun for his developmental efforts.
He also appreciated them for their support for the Elulu.
Prominent Royalties across Okun Land like Olujumu of Ijumu — Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni Agbana of Isanlu — Oba Moses Babatunde Etombi; Elejuku of Ejuku — Oba Lamidi Folorunso; Olu of Aiyegunle Gbede, Ayeni, Oba Lateef Folorunsho Haruna – Alafin II amongst several others unanimously called on, and asked the people of Mopa not to embrace division in any guise, because Oba Ibeun, being a young man, has been instrumental, even before he became a King, to the development of Mopa, Okun, Kogi and Nigeria altogether.
The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi used the occasion to eulogized the monarch, and described him as digitally mobile Royal father who truly loved his people by abandoning his comfort zone to relocate to the community to reside.
He said efforts are ongoing to give proper attention to the Kabba – Egbe – Ilorin road it deserved as arrangements are underway for Mangal Cement company to take over the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road under tax credit scheme, saying that is only way the road project can move the way it’s supposed to.
He promised to continue to provide qualitative representation at the national level for the district, and pointed out that 2025 hold a significant opportunities that will impact positively on the entire district.
Senator Karimi noted that despite the event not been for ‘fundraising’ but a community traditional day event, he magnanimously donated the sum of five million (5,000,000.00) naira.
Others are, Hon. Ademola Bello aka Destiny, Chairman, Mopamuro Local Government; Hon. Olawunmi Jacob; Hon. Seyi Bello; for Mopamuro Constituency; former Commissioner for Woman Affairs for Kogi State, Hon. (Mrs.) Bolanle Ampitan; amongst others.
Mrs. Victoria Jagboro, Provost, College of Education (Technical), Mopa, during her speech, eulogised the Elulu and Mopa Traditional Council for sponsoring over 100 students for scholarships in the institution, Bashorun (Dr.) M.D. Eseyin also seized the opportunity to announce the award of 50 slots of scholarship for Pan African Institute of Management and Leadership.
A lot of people also received gifts, items, and empowerment, having participated and won in different games, sporting activities, and others selected for empowerment in different kinds of skills like tailoring, barbing, hairdressing, fashion designing etc.
The items distributed are tens of tailoring machines, hair barbing clippers, hair dressers/driers, refrigerators, educational materials, school bags, etc
Beauty Queens/Kings that were also presented are Omidan Oge Okun, Miss Mopa, Little Miss Mopa, Little Master Mopa, who emerged at Elulu’s Children Christmas Party, Ileya Omo Okun, and MSU Social Night.
