2023 IJAKADI OFFA FESTIVAL: MOK FOUNDATION FELICITATES OLOFA OF OFFALAND, OLOFA-IN-COUNCIL, OFFA COMMUNITY

The Muhydeen Okunlola Kayode (MOK) Foundation, a non-governmental organization that promotes education, health and empowerment in Offa and beyond, has joined the Olofa of Offaland, Oba Mufutau Muhammad Gbadamosi Okikiola, Esuwoye II, Ajagungbade I, the Olofa-in-Council, Offa sons and daughters, and Offa friends to celebrate the 2023 Ijakadi Offa Festival.

The Ijakadi Offa Festival is an annual event that showcases the rich cultural heritage and history of the Offa people in Kwara State. The festival features various activities such as press conference, Juma’at service, commissioning of projects, presentation of awards, church service, traditional dances, parade by districts, wrestling bouts, horse racing, and more12.

The highlight of the festival is the symbolic wrestling match (Ijakadi) between the Olofa and his second in command (Chief Eesa), which signifies the virtues of equity, justice and wisdom, as well as strength and determination, among the Offa people3. The Olofa usually wins the match, while the Eesa always finds an excuse for his defeat, saying "it was the corn chaff that made me fall, not the Olofa". The Olofa then cuts a tuber of yam into two equal parts while being blindfolded, demonstrating his fairness and balance.

The MOK Foundation, founded by Alhaji Muhydeen Okunlola Kayode, a philanthropist and businessman, has expressed its delight and support for the Ijakadi Offa Festival, which it described as a platform to encourage, reward and stimulate the practice of community, valour, courage, heroism and determination in Offa land.

The foundation also commended the Olofa of Offaland for reviving the festival in 2012, after it had been abandoned for 30 years, and for using it as a means of bringing the people of Offa together for peace and development. The foundation pledged to continue to partner with the Olofa and the Offa community in promoting the cultural, social and economic well-being of the town.

The Ijakadi Offa Festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors, tourists and dignitaries from within and outside the country, who will witness the colourful and historical display of the Offa culture and tradition. The festival will run from December 27 to December 30, 2023.

If na me be Eesa for that place ehn...