The Ijumu Kingdom in Kogi State will on Saturday, November 4, 2023 launch an N250 million appeal fund for the completion of an ultra-modern palace in Iyara for the Olujumu, the head of the kingdom.
In preparation for his ascension to the throne five years ago, the Olujumu, Oba Williams Ayeni had, with his resources, commenced the construction of a modern palace befitting of the kingdom.
When it became apparent that the project would not meet the coronation deadline, a smaller structure was hurriedly put in place to serve as the temporary dwelling place of the monarch.
The Chairman of, the Ijumu Festival Central Planning Committee, Alhaji Aliyu Badaki said in Iyara that hope was high that the appeal fund target would be exceeded going by the strong commitments already made by Ijumu patriots and friends of the kingdom across the country.
Badaki said a chief launcher had signed on to the program while pledges were already being made by prominent Ijumu sons and daughters.
He said the world-renowned batik artist and Yeyeoba of Ogidi, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies Okundaye had promised to redecorate the front fence of the palace to give the facility a more befitting ambiance.
Also as part of the festival program, Badaki said the foundation stone of the Ijumu Museum, to be located on the palace grounds, would be laid.
The museum, he said, would be a permanent repository for Ijumu artifacts, documents, and all other materials depicting the way of life of the people.
The Chairman disclosed that the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello would be the special guest of honor at the program while His Royal Majesty, the Oloffa of Offa in Kwara State, Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi, would be the royal father of the day.
The Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, of Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba (Dr) Solomon Dele Owoniyi is also expected to lead a strong contingent of traditional rulers from the five local government areas of Okunland to the Festival as a demonstration of their solidarity with the Olujumu who is the Deputy Chairman of the Council.
Badaki expressed the committee’s appreciation to the communities that have so far paid their Festival levies as well as the individuals who have made free-will donations.
He urged the other communities yet to meet up to endeavor to pay theirs to hasten the implementation of the elaborate plans for the Festival.
Prominent Ijumu dignitaries who have indicated that they would be in attendance include the Asiwaju of Ijumu, Chief E. O. Otitoju; former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; Senator Smart Adeyemi; Senator Dino Melaye; former Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Prince Sola Akanmode; former Army divisional commanders, the Are Asiwaju of Ekinrin-Adde, Major General Julius Oshanupin (rtd) and Major General Funso Owonubi as well as the former Director-General of the National Mathematical Centre, Professor Sam Ale.
Also expected at the festival are the Members representing the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Arc. Salman Idris; the Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive Officer, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Olorundare Sunday Thomas; Kogi State Commissioner for the Environment, Alara Victor Adewale Omofaiye; the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi; the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Federal University Lokoja and the Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Water Resources, Alhaji Shuaib Ipinmisho.
