Saturday, October 26, 2024 was indeed a great and joyous day for the good people of Iyara, headquarters of Ijumu Local Government area of Kogi State as they all appeared in gorgeous and attractive attires to celebrate their annual Iyara cultural day festival.
Aside from celebrating their identity, this year’s cultural festival aimed at raising N250 million for community development.
Sons and daughters living both home and abroad attended this year’s festival. Traditional singers, hunters and masquerade were on hand to add colours to the event that took place at Iyara town hall and civic reception centre.
The National President of Iyara Development Association (IDA), Aliyu Badaki in his welcome address said the essence of the day was to appreciate God for his faithfulness and sustenance of the people of the community.
He also said the day is to showcase the cultural relevance of the people, “This ceremony is a day for us to showcase our unity in diversity, know the differences and similarities between our cultures to make Nigeria our beloved country a better place.
“One unique thing about Iyara cultural Day is that it is purely cultural. The cultural Day is a special day where sons and daughters of this community come together to display our various cultures, food, languages and cloths as well as a time where different tribes join us to celebrate under one Programme, the Iyara Cultural Day.”
Badaki urged the people to sustain the culture of the land, as well as lend support to community development, “As we roll out drums to celebrate today, we must be reminded that it is part of our efforts to ensure that our culture and traditions does not go into extinction, we must empower our young generation through cultural education, foster unity among our communities, and showcase Iyara Culture locally and globally.
“Aside from celebrating our identities, this program is aimed at raising N250 million for community development as you are rest assured that every penny collected will be judiciously utilized for the purpose intended.”
The paramount ruler of the community, the Eleta of Iyara, Oba Jacob Babatunde Meduteni, who was full of praise for the cultural displays called on sons and daughters of the community to reawaken the spirit of communal development in them.
He said Iyara which have been relatively peaceful must look inward and complement government efforts in providing infrastructural development.
He specifically called on the people to take security issue seriously, “Security wise, it is our prayer, that God will continue to help us uphold the acronym of our name – Iyara the Home of Peace.
“We have seen series of security challenges regarding peaceful coexistence of our people and non-indigenes. I wish to appeal to all for continued peaceful coexistence, progress and development of the community and Iyara Town. Let us all recommit ourselves to this.”
The Kogi State Security Adviser, Navy Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd) who was also the chairman of the occasion, called on the people of Iyara community to key into agriculture especially now that the state government under Governor Usman Ododo is investing heavily in the sector to boost food security in the state.
Speaking at this year’s edition of the annual Iyara Cultural Day Omodara said the people of Iyara and Okun in general are predominantly farmers.
He urged the community to embrace agriculture as a way of attaining food sufficiency.
“We look forward to next year where our local foods we be on display at the arena; where prizes will be awarded to best agricultural produce on display. Farming is part of our culture, and will should be able to showcase it”.
He stated that “One critical area where we are richly blessed is agriculture. As we celebrate today, I would like to propose the inclusion of agricultural shows in our cultural day festivities.
“Agriculture is a cornerstone of our cultural identity and a vital component of our economy. By showcasing our local produce, traditional farming practices and innovative techniques, we can celebrate our heritage while promoting sustainability.
“Agricultural shows can also serve as educational platforms, connecting our communities with the importance of food security and environmental stewardship. This initiative would not only enrich our Cultural Day but also strengthen community ties and promote awareness of sustainable practices in the State.”
Omodara and his friends, who took the people of Iyara and indeed spectators by surprise, donated over N7.6 million to the development of the community.
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