The 4th edition of the annual Ipakodo Day Celebration began in grand style on Saturday, September 27, 2025, with the vibrant Woro Day procession, organised by the Ipakodo Development Association (IDA).
The opening event drew traditionalists and community members into the streets, filling the town with chants, songs, and prayers meant to invoke peace, prosperity, and blessings upon Ipakodo.
The colourful cultural outing signalled the start of a week-long festival dedicated to celebrating the town’s heritage and strengthening bonds among indigenes and residents.
Prince Olasukanmi Aremu Shotonwa, Chairman of the IDA, expressed gratitude for the steady growth of the festival since its inception, describing this year’s turnout as remarkable.
“This is the fourth year, the fourth time we are doing it, and it has been wonderful. You can see the excitement in the faces of our people. They came out well today, even more than last year,” Shotonwa said.
He stressed that the celebration is far more than entertainment, highlighting its role in reinforcing communal bonds and preserving cultural heritage.
“Now that they have displayed their cultural traditions, we expect the unity to continue. What we are showcasing in Ipakodo is our culture, our brotherhood, our comradeship, and our togetherness. That is what we are displaying today, and we want it to continue,” he added.
Chief Oloruntade Yekinni Fatola, Baale of Ogolonto, explained that Woro serves as the symbolic opening of the festival and is steeped in meaning.
“Woro is what we normally do at the beginning of the festival. It simply means where we gather our cultures and our heritage. The traditionalists, both young and old, sons and daughters, all come together in form of a rally to show that the Ipakodo Day Festival has commenced,” he said.
Recalling earlier times when culture held pride of place, Chief Fatola likened the procession to a carnival, adding:
“Back in the day, people—both old and young—shared and celebrated culture. They didn’t joke with it. That is the spirit we are keeping alive through Woro.”
He also praised the strong participation of youths, saying their involvement signals a commitment to safeguarding Ipakodo’s cultural identity and passing it on to future generations.
Adding his voice, Mr. Nurudeen Apena of Ipakodo described Woro as a tradition reserved for the town’s traditionalists.
“Woro Day is a privilege given to the traditionalists. It is what starts the Ipakodo Day celebration,” Apena noted.
The lively procession, featuring singing, drumming, dancing, and prayers, united elders, youths, and cultural enthusiasts from across Ipakodo. It reaffirmed the community’s determination to protect its heritage while nurturing unity among its people.
The procession eventually reached its climax at the palace, where the entourage was warmly welcomed by the Sekumade of Ipakodo, His Royal Majesty Oba (Engr.) Basiru Aremu Shotonwa, accompanied by his chiefs and council of elders.
Oba Shotonwa offered heartfelt prayers for the prosperity and well-being of all present, invoking blessings for the community’s continued peace and growth.
He commended the organisers for preserving the age-long tradition and urged participants in the 2025 edition to embrace unity and harmony, showcase the richness of their heritage, and promote the culture in its full glory for the benefit of future generations
Over the years, the Ipakodo Day Festival has become a rallying point for indigenes and residents alike—a platform for promoting cultural pride, strengthening communal ties, and exploring new pathways for local development.
As the one-week celebration continues, residents eagerly anticipate a lineup of events that will culminate in a grand finale on October 4, 2025, where traditional rulers, dignitaries, and key stakeholders are expected to grace the occasion.
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