Ekinrin-Adde Community Targets ₦750m Development Fund as 33rd Day Festival Holds June 20-27
…unveils week-long events, expects Govs Ododo, Zulum, Oyebanji, top federal officials_
Ekinrin-Adde community in Ijumu LGA, Kogi West, has unveiled a ₦750 million Infrastructural and Community Development Fund as the centerpiece of its 33rd Ekinrin-Adde Day Festival slated for June 20-27, 2026.
Addressing journalists at a world press briefing Wednesday in Abuja, the chairman central planning committee, Babajide Kolade Otitoju said the 8-day event is designed to showcase Okun-Yoruba heritage and drive self-help development, in the mold of Ojude Oba in Ijebu Ode and Lisabi Day in Abeokuta.
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“Ekinrin-Adde is renowned for its prodigious human capital and natural resources endowment,” the statement read. “Through self-help, the community has unparallel records of firsts in Ijumu LGA: first Secondary School, first Maternity, first Posta Agency, first to have two secondary schools, and first to have community banks — IBWA in 1985 and Ekinrin-Adde Community Bank in 1992.”
Week-long lineup
The festival schedule includes:
1. June 20: New Yam Festival
2. June 21: EACDA Prayer Day
3. June 22: Culinary Day & Music Extravaganza
4. June 24: First-ever Ekinrin-Adde Youths Carnival with symposium
5. June 25: Clubs & Associations Day + Ground-breaking of College of Nursing Science Ekinrin-Adde
6. June 26: Akogba Mountain Hike & 40th Graduation Anniversary of Class of ’86 with legacy project commissioning
7. June 27: Grand Finale, Omo-Atata Awards Night, and Launching of ₦750m Development Fund
New features for 2026 include essay competitions, food exhibitions, cultural wear displays, traditional marriage renaissance, and cash-prize competitions, in collaboration with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.
Roll call of sons/daughters
The community highlighted eminent indigenes including: Justice John Afolabi JSC, OFR, CFR, CON, first Okun man at the Supreme Court; Gen. Oshanupin Rtd, former GOC 3rd Armored Division; Navy Commander LMO Fabiyi, former Director Legal Services, Nigerian Navy; Col. Tunde Fagbemi Rtd; Chief Felix Ikumapayi MFR, former DSS Director of Operations; Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold medalist Abiodun Obafemi MON; Prof. Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi and Prof. Solomon Ibileye, past and present VC of Federal University Lokoja; Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Chairman House Committee on Finance; Bishop Funke Adejumo; and journalist Prince Babajide Kolade Otitoju BKO.
Dignitaries expected
Kogi State Governor, H.E. Usman Ahmed Ododo, will attend as Chief Guest of Honour. Special Guests of Honour include Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum CON and Ekiti State Governor H.E. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
Other dignitaries listed: Asiwaju Prince (Dr) Olatunji Olusoji, Chairman Grosvenor Group, as Chairman of the Occasion; Rt. Hon. Abdul Ibrahim Halims MHR, Deputy Leader House of Representatives, as Chief Launcher; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination; and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke.
Prince Babajide Kolade Otitoju chairs the Central Planning Committee, while Elder Dehinde Toyin Komolafe is President of Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association.
Organizers said the festival aims to position Ekinrin-Adde as an international tourism destination while honoring illustrious sons and daughters with awards and honorary chieftaincy titles.
“Ekinrin-Adde Day 2026 runs from June 20 to 27. We invite all friends of the community from across the country,” the statement concluded.
END
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JUNE 18TH 2026)
