* Launches N600m Development Fund
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
As the lush green hills of Ekinrin-Adde prepare to echo with the sounds of drums, chants, laughter, and the vibrant presence of its sons, daughters, and friends from across the globe, the stage is set for what promises to be the most historic edition yet of the Ekinrin-Adde Day Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025, the 32nd edition of this annual cultural and development celebration stands out—not just as a commemoration of heritage but as a bold step toward the future.
Ekinrin-Adde Day, like the renowned Ojude Oba Festival of Ijebu and Lisabi Day in Abeokuta, has evolved into a symbol of cultural pride and developmental self-determination for the people of this iconic community in the western senatorial district of Kogi State. Nestled within the heart of Ijumu Local Government Area, Ekinrin-Adde is no ordinary town. It is a trailblazer, a pacesetter in grassroots-driven development, and a model for other Nigerian communities.
This year, the festival carries a deeper significance with the official launch of a ₦600 Million Infrastructural Development Fund. This ambitious community-driven initiative seeks to accelerate critical projects across the town, reinforcing Ekinrin-Adde’s long-standing tradition of self-help and collective responsibility.
At a pre-event World Press Briefing held in anticipation of the grand celebration, Dr. Deinde Komolafe, the National President of the Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association (EACDA), captured the spirit of the event with solemn pride. He described the annual festival as “a sacred meeting point between our past, our present responsibilities, and our collective future.” He stressed that Ekinrin-Adde Day is not just a cultural festival but a reaffirmation of resilience, innovation, unity, and shared purpose. Dr. Komolafe extended a passionate call to all sons and daughters of the land, as well as well-wishers and development partners, urging them to support the fundraising campaign that will shape the town’s next chapter.
Indeed, Ekinrin-Adde is no stranger to milestones. Historically, it holds the enviable record of being the first community in Ijumu LGA to establish a secondary school, a maternity centre, a postal agency, a community bank in 1985—known then as IBWA, later evolving into Afribank and ultimately Ekinrin-Adde Community Bank in 1992—and the first to host two secondary schools. These achievements underscore the community’s unrelenting spirit of progress through collective action.
Adding her voice to the ongoing preparations, Dr. (Chief) Mrs. Bukola Olorundami Ayeni, the National Vice President 3 of the EACDA, emphasized the critical role of women in shaping the community’s fortunes. She noted that from the earliest days of self-help movements to present-day development strategies, women have remained the pillars of strength and commitment. “The Ekinrin-Adde Day gives us a platform to showcase our cultural beauty and to remind the world that women are central to our community’s renaissance,” she stated.
In a tone that blended administrative clarity with cultural pride, Engr. Babalola Kayode Sunday, the National General Secretary of EACDA, spoke on the importance of preserving Ekinrin-Adde’s evolving story. “We are not just celebrating heritage—we are making history. This festival gives us the opportunity to document our legacy, build stronger unity, and inspire the next generation. What we do now will echo in generations to come,” he affirmed.
The 2025 festival is set to be richer in content and more engaging than ever. For the first time, a structured essay writing competition will feature as part of the event. Designed to stimulate intellectual engagement among the youth, the competition is championed by Professor Gbenga Ibileye, the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies at the Federal University, Lokoja. As the Chairman of the Essay Competition Sub-Committee and a respected scholar from the community, Prof. Ibileye sees this initiative as a crucial bridge between culture and intellect. “It’s about teaching our young people that tradition and critical thinking go hand in hand. This competition allows them to write themselves into history,” he said.
The festival will also feature traditional food exhibitions, vibrant cultural fashion displays, processions by community branches from home and abroad, re-enactments of native marriage rites, clan-based oral poetry, and numerous cultural contests—all set to enthrall guests and dignitaries. These elements are expected to not only elevate the aesthetic of the festival but also deepen the understanding and preservation of Ekinrin-Adde’s rich heritage.
Prince Babajide Kolade Otitoju, the ace broadcaster with TVC News and a proud son of Ekinrin-Adde, spoke emotionally about the festival’s broader significance. Known for his incisive commentary on the popular “Journalists’ Hangout,” Otitoju reflected: “Ekinrin-Adde Day shows what is possible when communities take ownership of their development. It is a story worth telling and an example the world should see.”
From the media frontlines to the pulse of public mobilisation, Emmanuel Ogungbuyi, the National Publicity Secretary of the EACDA, shared insights into the festival’s expansive reach. “We’re bringing home the sons and daughters of Ekinrin-Adde from across continents. From North America to Europe, from Lagos to Lokoja, this festival is becoming a global movement. This year’s celebration will redefine cultural tourism in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole,” he declared with conviction.
Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, a proud son of the land and the National Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), added a thoughtful reflection on the transformative potential of the festival. He described Ekinrin-Adde as a grassroots model of what can be achieved through unity and vision. “This community is a living testament to what development looks like when driven from within. What we have here is not just heritage—it’s a strategy, and the world should come and learn from us.”
This year’s edition will also honour the accomplishments of notable figures from Ekinrin-Adde who have made indelible marks on national development and many others friends of the community from across the country whose their contributions will continue to uplift the name of the community.
As the countdown to June 21 begins, the excitement across the community is palpable. Preparations are in full swing, with hospitality arrangements, rehearsals, and logistics being fine-tuned. But beyond the fanfare lies a deeper aspiration—the dream of a better, stronger, more united Ekinrin-Adde that thrives through its people’s collective vision.
To tourists, cultural enthusiasts, investors, and development partners across the world, the Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association extends an open invitation to witness a festival that promises not only colour and music but meaning, inspiration, and a window into one of Nigeria’s most progressive indigenous communities.
Ekinrin-Adde Day 2025 is not just another cultural event. It is a powerful narrative of identity, achievement, and collective ambition. For those seeking to witness culture in motion and development in practice, this small town in Ijumu is the place to be.
On June 21, come to Ekinrin-Adde – where heritage meets hope, and culture becomes a call to greatness.
