The annual Ijakadi Festival includes a cultural display by Moremi and other groups such as a special paying of homage by the clans comprising Offa kingdom, namely, OJOMU, BALOGUN, ESSA, SHAWO, ASALOFA, IGBODUN, and OLUGBENSE, in addition to the symbolic wrestling bout between the Olofa of Offa and Chief Essa, which the Olofa always wins was held during the week.
In a message, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed identified culture and tourism as “great potentials” for economic growth and development in the 21st century.
The Minister who stated this during the 2022 Ijakadi festival in Offa, Kwara State, observed that the Ijakadi festival, if properly harnessed, is capable of promoting the community socially and economically, describing Offa as a community blessed with patriotic, brave, and hardworking people.
The Minister, who was represented by the Kwara State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Olusegun Adeyemi also applauded them for upholding their rich cultural heritage.
He noted that the annual Ijakadi festival also “demonstrates love, unity, loyalty and communal bond”, which should continue to be accorded its rightful place.
In his message, the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Energy, Femi Whyte pledged that the state government would continue to accord priority to culture and tourism in every part of the state.
AbdulRazaq then felicitated the people of Offa for another successful celebration of the Ijakadi festival.
The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi-Esuwoye said the fundamental culture of BUURE LA’ARE, which means Equity, fairness, and justice must be extended to the next generation to enable them to be in tune with their roots.
Oba Gbadamosi-Esuwoye also launched the 10-year Offa Economic Development Plan from 2022 to 2032 as a way of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 17.
There were also goodwill messages from the National President of the Offa Descendants Union, Alhaji Abdulazeez Salako, who said efforts would continue to be intensified to make the Ijakadi festival a national tourist destination and other sons and daughters of the Offa community.
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