IDF - 2016 International Convention

THEME:

BACK TO OUR ROOTS; OUR HOMELAND BECKONS

Saturday September 03, 2016

FELICITATIONS

Chief Wole Olanipekun, OFR, SAN, LL.D, FCIArb, FNIALS (National President, Ikere Development Forum)

And Princess Omolara Olanipekun Heartily congratulate the IDF on the hosting of the IDF International Convention in Houston, Texas, USA We wish all participants and delegates to the Convention most successful and rewarding deliberations. May God bless and prosper Ikere.

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PROGRAM OF EVENTS

IKERE DEVELOPMENT FORUM [IDF] INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION- HOUSTON TX. USA THEME: BACK TO OUR ROOTS; OUR HOMELAND BECKONS Friday Sept 02 - Mon Sept 05, 2016.

Friday September 02, 2016 1. Courtesy Visit / Bilateral Talks: IDF Leaders with Mayor of Houston - Proposed 2. Arrival of participants/guests 3. Welcome Reception/ Meet & Greet Event.

Time: 7pm -11pm | Venue: Finger Licking Restaurant [Nigerian], 9811 Bissonnet St. Houston TX. 77036. | Phone: +1 (713) 270-7070

Saturday September 03, 2016 1. International Convention Meeting: Time: 10am - 3pm | Venue: Ballroom, Hilton Gardens Inn, Houston Westbelt.

2. Banquet Dinner & Fundraising Event.

a] Launching of IKERE DIASPORA FUNDS [IDF] - $ denominated

b] Recognition & Celebration of World Acclaimed Ikere Natives resident in

the Diasporas.

Time: 7pm - 12am | Venue: Ballroom, Hilton Gardens Inn, Houston Westbelt. 6855 West

Sam Houston Parkway South, Houston, Texas, 77072, | Phone: +1-713-270-6100

Sunday September 04, 2016 Houston City Attractions Tour- Trip to NASA, Houston TX Time: All day

Monday September 05, 2016 Barbecue Party - Hosted by Ekiti Association of Houston TX. Time: 4pm -7pm | Venue: Sugarland Park, Houston TX.

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Schedule of Program Convention Meeting

THEME: BACK TO OUR ROOTS; OUR HOMELAND BECKONS Saturday September 03, 2016

Moderator: Mr. Femi Ayodele 10.00 am 10.05 am 10.15 am 10.45 am 10.50 am

11.00 am

– Opening Prayers & Invocations- Pastor Bolu Alabi – Introduction of Dignitaries – Self Introduction of Convention Participants – Presentation of Goodwill Messages - Welcome to Houston TX. USA by Mr. Gbenga Agboola- IDF 2nd Vice President [Diaspora Matters] – Welcome Address by Professor Emeritus dele jegede- IDF BoT Member [Representing North America Chapter]

11.10 am – Opening Address by IDF President- Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN,

OFR - Asiwaju of Ikere kingdom 11.25 am – Remarks by HRM Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado- Agirilala

Ogbenuotesoro II -Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom 11.40 pm - Morning Session Discussions & Powerpoint Presentations [10 minutes

1.00 pm 2.00 pm

3.00 pm

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maximum per participant]

– Lunch Break [Buffet Service] – Afternoon Session Discussions & Powerpoint Presentations [10 minutes maximum per participant]

– Summary of Discussions / Presentations & Convention Communique – Attorney Oye Alonge

IDF - INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION- HOUSTON TX

Schedule of Program

BANQUET DINNER & AWARDS & LAUNCHING OF IKERE DIASPORA FUNDS THEME: BACK TO OUR ROOTS; OUR HOMELAND BECKONS Saturday September 03, 2016

7.00 pm

– Opening Prayers & Invocations - Pastor Bolu Alabi

7.05 pm 7.20 pm 7.30 pm

– Introduction of Dignitaries & Guests – National Anthems - Nigeria & USA – Proclamation by Mayor of Houston -Represented by Council Member

7.40 pm

8.00 pm

9.00 pm

9.15 pm

9.30 pm 10.00 pm

Steve Le MD [District F]

– Welcome Address by IDF President- Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, OFR- Asiwaju of Ikere kingdom

– Dinner [Buffet Service] / Music Interlude / Ekiti Cultural Dance Presentation – Remarks by HRM Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado- Agirilala Ogbenuotesoro II -Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom – Presentations of IDF Awards to Recipients & Gifts to The Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom – Launching of Ikere Diaspora Funds [$-based] – Short Remarks by Dignitaries & Guests – [5 minutes maximum per participant]

10.30 pm – Dance 12.00 am – Appreciation & Thanks – Mr. Gbenga Agboola, IDF 2nd Vice

President [Diaspora Matters]

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NATIONAL ANTHEM U.S.A Oh, say! can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming; Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there: Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

NIGERIA Arise, O compatriots Nigeria’s call obey To serve our fatherland With love and strength and faith The labour of our heroes past Shall never be in vain To serve with heart and might One nation bound in freedom Peace and unity.

Oh God of creation Direct our noble cause Guide our leaders right Help our youth the truth to know In love and honesty to grow And living just and true Great lofty heights attain To build a nation where peace And justice shall reign.

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ORIKI UKERE PRAISESONG FOR IKERE

ÙKÉRÉ ÒYÈ, ÒYÈ AJÓLAGUN Ikere, live long, descendants of Ajolagun

ÒGÒGÀ NÍ LIJÓ ÙDÁSU To Ogoga belongs the day of harvesting the New Yam

AJÓLAGUN ÒYÈ, OJÚ MÒ MÓ Ọ IRE Ò Ajolagun the Great, welcome to a blessed new day

SÀPETU NÍ LIJÓ ÙPOBÌJE LÁOFIN To Sapetu belongs the day of the breaking of kolanuts in the palace

ÙKÉRÉ ỌMỌ OLÓKÈ MEJÌ TAKỌ TABO Ikere, home of two hills, male and female ÒKÈ SUÀN SORÌRÈ MỌ YÁ OLÓSUNTA ÒRUN ÙKÉRÉ Hills whose beauty beckons from a distance, I take shelter under Olosunta, Ikere’s haven ÒKÈ RÚ YÒYÒ, ÒKÈ KÍ Ml YÁ FỌNNÁ, ÒKÈ SỌRA DỌTA, ÍN OLÓSUNTA ÁGBÉ UN LÓNÀ A glowing hill that transformed into solid rock, the dwelling place of Olosunta ÒGÒGÀ NÍ SÈTÒ KÁN MỌ MÓ’Nl BỌRÈ LÚ LÚ UN Ogoga ruled against human sacrifice in his domain ỌMỌ ALÁJÙNI GBÙRÒGBỌJÀ Scion of Ajuni whose presence pervades courtyards and markets ỌMỌ ALÁJÙNI GBÒRÉRÉ GBÒGBÓN. Scion of Ajuni, whose ambiance pervades the byways and the highways ỌMỌ ALAJUNI ORÍ GBÉ SAÀ’GÙN Scion of Ajuni, fortified with charms ỌMỌ AKÓRÓ MÉFÀ SE LÓRÌ JÓ One who celebrates six festivals in one day ÒRÌJÓ KÀN ÍJÓ MÓMỌKÍLÈ NA SÙRÒKÈ ÒÚRÒ The day they perform Momokile dance is the same day for the descending from Olosunta hill. ÒRÌJÓ KÀN ÍJÓ MÓMỌKÍLÈ NA SÙPEKELÉ AYABA The same day marks the festivity of the royal harem OLÚKERÉ NÍ LIJÓ ÙKẸRÀN To Olukere belongs the day of ploughing

ỌLÓGÒTÚN LÍ M’ÍFÁ WÁ UN KỌ NÙ And to Ologotun belongs the honor of Ifa divination to unravel mysteries ÀGBÀRÁ ÙJÒKÀ NÍ Ú GÒGÒ, ÓÚ GÒGÒ, Ó MÓ DIDI ỌNI PÀROKÒ S’ÓLÓGÒTÚN. Ujoka, a tidal stream once delivered a strange fellow at Ologotun’s doorstep ÒSỌKỌ ÌJÈSHÀ SỌKỌ ÀKÓKÓ.

One who lords over Ijesha and Akoko ÙKÉRÉ AJAGUN MO KÉRU ÁLÉ Ikere, the town went to war without bringing home neither slaves nor spoils TORÍ ÀTI MÚAN RÚBỌ So that they might not be used for sacrifice. ÓMÚDÀ LÉYÌN ODI ÓBÉRÍ ỌBA, HÍN KÁN MÚ KÈKEJÌ, KE MÚ A FỌNPÈ WE A LÉ UN LÓJÚ OGUN. One who beheads a king abroad with a sword, and gives the head to another, to blow as trumpet of praise to the warrior’s exploits ÙKÉRÉ L’ÉRÙ, ÀYÈ E J’ÓLÈ GBÍGBÉ L’ÓYÈ.

Ikere is revered; a noble land has no place for rogues ÙKÉREÉ OMO AJAGUNLÀ Ikere, descendant of Ajagunla OMO AJOSÍBÍ TÀKÌTIÌ ÒBO S’ÉÌN. The one whose somersault in dance and shames the nimble monkey AJÓLAGUN ÒYÈ, OJÚ MÒ MÓ Ọ IRE Ò Ajolagun the Great, welcome to a blessed new day

IKERE AT A GLANCE

Welcome to Houston TX

The Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, HRM Kabiyesi Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu-Alagbado The National President, Ikere Development Forum [IDF]- Chief Wole Olanipekun [SAN] The IDF-BoT Member- Professor Emeritus dele jegede My Elders & ‘Omiyes’ of Ikere origin In Okun o! Ukere kete! the participation of our ‘omiyes’ who made huge I warmly welcome you all to Houston sacrifices and commitment to travel all the way Texas, the 4th, and on track to soon from Nigeria to be here today for the convention become the 3rd largest city in the USA. events. We thank our President and the Asiwaju of Ikere kingdom -Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN for his The journey to our 1st International Convention is leadership roles in supporting the convention. We brief and fast-paced. Ikere Development Forum [IDF] salute your patriotism. Ure Ukere a s’oju kete ra o! was registered in the State of Texas in early June I wish to gratefully acknowledge the financial donation 2016, to operate as a non-profit organization in the and collaboration of members of Ekiti Association USA. We immediately set up organizational structures of Houston in organizing the Cultural dance for this like banking and group communication platforms. We event. They will also be hosting all of us at the annual have a growing database of Ikere indigenes in North barbecue party scheduled to come up during the America, currently standing at almost 100 individuals. period of our convention. Our gratitude also goes We have started processing our application with to IDF friends and well wishers who donated into the US-IRS, for a tax exempt organization status. the Ikere Diaspora Funds [IDF] with cash or paid The preparation for this International Convention advertisement in the Convention brochure. started almost immediately after incorporation of the organization, and today, it’s a reality, and a huge At this juncture, I wish to recognize the following success.

‘Awes’ for their diligence and steadfastness in collaborating with me to host you all in Houston ayor Sylvester Turner of Houston TX is aware today. Please help me to thank Messrs. Oluwole of our Convention, and he has graciously Afolabi, Oyesanmi Alonge, and Tope Ogunlade. I am extended the full courtesies and privileges indebted to IDF BoT member representing North accorded to VIP guests of the city, to our Royal America Zone- Professor Emeritus dele jegede, for Majesty, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Agirilala his invaluable and elderly contributions and advice at Ogbenuotesoro II, and his entourage. Please join the regularly scheduled IDF-NA phone conferences, me in thanking and appreciating Mayor Sylvester and also in our preparations for this Convention. Aba Turner, and his staff for their support to IDF-USA, ra a gbe a o! and the warm reception accorded to our King, on this occasion. lease permit me to end this short remarks with a deep appreciation of my family’s support and This convention became a reality due to the tolerance, all through the period of organizing extraordinary trust that you all reposed in us – your this International Convention. They join me in warmly hosts- with your monies and resources. Specifically, I welcoming our Royal King- Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu wish to acknowledge and thank all the Contributors and Olori Eyesorun Funmilola Adu , and indeed all and Financial Sponsors of this Convention, for their Convention participants to our home, away from generosity and patriotism. We promise to account home- Houston TX USA. for every dollar spent, and leave a sound legacy of probity, integrity and openness for the future IDF- In Ora o!

USA leadership.

Olugbenga Agboola 2nd National Vice President Also, this Convention would be incomplete without Ikere Development Forum

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Welcome!

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y way of heartily welcoming you to this gathering, I would like to ask that you meditate, even if for a brief moment, on the implications of our name, IDF: Ikere Development Forum. This is an apolitical forum with the primary mission of catering to the development of the citizens of a city that we all love: a city that has nurtured, and continues to nurture, all whom it has suckled. One of our strengths, thus, is the capacity to accommodate diverse shades of religious, social, and political manifestations. But the other strength—an aspirational one at this point—is premised on our capacity to inspire, motivate, and incentivize our people to place undiluted premium on the development of Ikere.

This is the singular task that we, as members of this forum, must address ourselves to. As we gather for the first Diasporic initiative, I enjoin everyone to spend this time productively and focus on targeted This is a clarion call for all of us to take the destiny initiatives, which are aimed at contributing to the of Ikere in our hands. Let us resolve in our various growth of our city. Here are some of the areas that ways to mobilize and put pressure not only on we may focus on: ourselves but also on all those whom we can press into service, including governments, to buy into our • Jobs vision of elevating our city to the heights that are • Education commensurate with its history and the attainments • Agriculture of its citizens. Let us constitute ourselves into • Small-scale Industry pressure groups and use our personal and/or group • Tourism and Festivals clouts to positively influence those who are charged • City Edification with the responsibility of empowering others. Ikere • Social Mobilization could be to Ado-Ekiti what Lagos is to Abuja.

• Community Development • Group Empowerment May we not become that item in Ikere folktale, • Infrastructural Development ètìtúpa, kọ bọ́ sómi ke ée ró tùbúlú

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o not assume that state and local governments alone can do this because, well, they have not done it anyway. Besides, you do not have the needed insight to fathom the labyrinthine ways of governments at state and local levels, governments, which Fela has referred to variously as “Arrangee,” “Rigimo,” and “Padi Padi.”

In káàbọ!.

dele jegede, Ph.D. Member, IDF BoT Cincinnati, Ohio August 19, 2016

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CONVENTION OPENINING

ADDRESS

BY CHIEF WOLE OLANIPEKUN, OFR, SAN, LL.D, FCIArb, FNIALS, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, IKERE DEVELOPMENT FORUM (IDF)

1.0 PROTOCOLS

It gives me great and immense pleasure to welcome all of us to this epoch-making event, that is, the IDF International Convention holding at the city of Houston, in the oil State of Texas, United States of America.

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I welcome in particular, and in a very special and royal way, our Kabiyesi, traditional ruler, prescribed and approving authority for all chieftaincies in Ikereland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adejimi Samuel Adu Alagbado, Agirilala Ogbenuotesoro II, the Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom. Kabiyesi’s presence here in our midst is a further demonstration and manifestation of his love for our town and her people, as well as an expression of his dynamism as a modern Oba, who is ever ready and prepared, not just to promote and foster the unity of Ikere and her people, but to also support and encourage any enterprise that would uplift the development of the town. This convention is surely one of such enterprises, avenues, means and platforms.

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bout a year ago, the idea of hosting IDF International Conventions was muted by me in one of our National Executive Committee meetings, and not surprisingly, it was unanimously supported and approved.

Furthermore, the IDF Exco there and then

resolved that considering the strategic position of the United States of America to the world at large, and bearing in mind the fact that a good number of our people live and work in the United States of America, the first International Convention should be hosted by our United States of America group/members; and, thereafter, we would move to Europe, particularly the United Kingdom.

Let me appreciate, in a most profound way, our members in the United States of America, under the pragmatic and highly commendable leadership of Mr. Gbenga Agboola, IDF’s 2nd Vice-President for organizing and putting this conference together. Mr. Gbenga Agboola has been very unrelenting and painstaking in the organizing of this conference. Day in day out, and irrespective of the hours of the day, Mr. Gbenga Agboola would be glued and maximally connected to his computer qua internet, making telephone calls, sending e-mails and letters etc. to members, motivating and encouraging them to attend and make this conference a reality. Gbenga, you are highly appreciated and valued. May God continue to enhance and promote you, as well as all members of your Organizing Committee.

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he theme of this Convention is ‘Back to our roots; our homeland beckons’. The theme is apt, and also proximately connected to our nativity. I am not aware of any man or woman, old or young, highly successful or moderately intelligent, whether in politics, academics, business or in any profession at all, who has not come or does not hail from a particular nativity. It is not by accident that God, the creator of heaven ...continued on Page 13

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CONVENTION OPENINING ADDRESS ...continue from Page 12 and earth, the one who has made man in His own image has situated every man within a particular nativity. In other words, our being indigenes of Ikere city was/is a deliberate act by and of the uncreated creator. Thus, God expects each and every one of us, not only to be proud of our cradle, but to also work towards her progress, peace and upliftment. In Psalm 122:6-8, the Psalmist states thus: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!

For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, peace be within you!”

Within this context, Ikere remains our own Jerusalem, which God mandates us to pray for and work towards her peace, both from within and without. If we hearken to this admonition, God would definitely reward us and our offsprings.

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am always excited by the first stanza of that beautiful hymn composed by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), titled “Land of our birth, we pledge to thee” (SOP 488), which reads thus: “Land of our birth, we pledge to thee, Our love and toil in the years to be, When we are grown and take our place, As men and women with our race.”

The theme of this Convention challenges us to pledge to the land of our birth, our love and toil, now and in the years to be. The last stanza of the same song reads thus: “Land of our birth, our faith, our pride, For whose dear sake our fathers died, O motherland, we pledge to thee, Head, heart and hand through the years to be.”

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By the same token, God requires and demands of us to be proud of the land of our birth, and repose our faith in it. Since it is for the sake of that land our fathers died, we must pledge to it our head, heart and hands, now and forever.

I am persuaded that Ikere constitutes and/or doubles as both our fatherland and motherland!

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ithin the past one year, under the worthy sovereignty of our revered Oba, Ikere has made tremendous progress in diverse areas. We need to improve on the good work begun by our Kabiyesi. I am always tickled by the fact that God has endowed our town with highly successful and cerebral indigenes in every sphere of life, be it in academics, law, medicine, accountancy, engineering, education, politics, farming, administration, etc. As at the last count, Ikere has produced over seventy professors in several disciplines. About three weeks ago, I was informed that primary school enrolment in Ikere, in both the public and private schools is well over seven thousand pupils. At a point in time, Ikere hosted three out of the less than twelve Teachers Training Colleges in the then Ekiti Division of the old Western Region. Under the old Western Region/ State, Ikere was recognized and treated as a major urban town. No wonder, her township electricity grid and water connection and supply were fully commissioned as at 1963. When Ondo State was created in 1976, the first Higher Institution to be established by the State Government was brought to Ikere, not by accident, but because of her antecedents at hosting, as well as being the confluence of several educational institutions. It was thus a natural and expected choice for the then Ondo State College of Education. I dare say that since Ekiti State was created in 1996, Ikere’s fortunes have nose-dived; and I am not aware of any progress, whether in terms of any infrastructural addition or in any area at all that

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Ikere has recorded, under any of the several administrations the State has passed through since inception. Bluntly put, we are just being subjected to the jackboots of new or local overlords in Ekiti, without more. Although I may stand to be corrected on this conclusion, the point remains, however, that in these days and times, particularly in our country, where governments at all levels appear incapable of delivering dividends of democracy, the ball falls squarely in our courts to look for ways and means at harnessing our human, natural, material and other resources, and connections for the overall development of our cradle.

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rising and naturally flowing from the foregoing, is the truism that the theme of this convention beckons at all of us, both at home and in the diaspora to look back at our roots, while our roots yearn to feel our positive impact. I cannot wait for the keynote address to be delivered by the literary guru, poetic potentate, and generalissimo of flawless prose, my dearly beloved brother, motivator, senior in school, adviser and advisor – Prof. Niyi Osundare. In the lawyer’s language, Prof. Niyi Osundare is simply ‘sui generis’. I have been opportuned to say a word or two about this intellectual giant on two occasions in the not-too-distant past; first, at a lecture I delivered on his 60th Birthday, and later, in a write-up I published when he was conferred with the National Merit Award two years ago. I have no doubt in my mind that he would deal with the

topic in all its ramifications, and also present to us a sumptuous treatise, both vertically and horizontally.

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his Convention should also afford us the unique opportunities to make the necessary contacts with the relevant people, inviting and persuading them to come to our ‘Macedonia’. I am aware that we are to visit the Mayor of Houston, according to the program. The visit would present us the vintage and vantage advantage to apprise the Mayor of the beauty of Ikere and her people, as well as the potentials in terms of human, physical and material resources God has endowed us with. Furthermore, we may need to present the Mayor with some of Prof Niyi Osundare’s poems and poetry on Ikere!

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nce again, I welcome you to this International Convention; and I do hope that at the end of it all, we would not only have deliberated and come out with suggestions and ideas on how to take Ikere to the next level, but also, would have, jointly and severally or individually and collectively, had sufficient fun in this beautiful oil city of Houston.

Thank you all for listening.

Chief Wole Olanipekun,

FNIALS

OFR, SAN, LL.D, FCIArb,

Houston, Texas, USA 3rd September, 2016.

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KEYNOTE Address His Royal MAGESTY

Oba Samuel Adejimi

Adu Alagbado- Agirilala Ogbenuotesoro II -Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom

The President and Executive of IDF World Wide Elders of Ikere present Ladies and gentlemen

It is both a privilege and pleasure for me to be here in Houston, meeting the crème de la crème of Ikere sons and daughters from across the globe under one roof solely in the interest of Ikere.

Before I proceed further, I give thanks to God Almighty whose grace it is that keeps us all alive and brought us together at this time for the development of our common heritage. Also our appreciation goes to the president, the executives and members of Ikere Development Forum including its arm here in USA for thinking, planning and executing this event. It is a great achievement. The Lord will bless you all. The coming to life of the IDF is to me a watershed in the history of societies or associations in Ikere.

This is because most members of the various men of high intelligence, integrity and capability. I clubs or societies in Ikere are also in IDF and salute the president Asiwaju Wole Olanipekun SAN, we now have a common and strategic platform. a man who radiates charisma, poise and glamour all together. He makes others to feel completely econdly, I thank all of you for your support at ease around him with a compassionate spirit to since my ascension to the much coveted empower others. Ikere cannot afford to fail and by throne of Ogoga of Ikere kingdom. Much as I the grace of God Almighty we shall succeed. would have loved to mention names here but we kere has come a long way in her history, one do not have the luxury of time. Suffice it to declare that we are all very proud of. This is one town that your phone calls, text messages and emails that was never defeated at any time in war. have been real source of encouragement and The only town in Ekiti and probably as well as further motivation for me. I continue to receive Ondo and Osun States that have produced four messages from here in USA, Canada and the UK. his event taking place in Houston has Senior Advocates of Nigeria [SAN] A town that raised the bar in community cohesion and has produced the greatest number of Professors cooperation. By this, Ikere and her people in Ekiti. Currently we have a little less than 100 have now been put on the spot and in spotlight.

Professors. A town that has produced a Judge Therefore, from now on for us, failure is not an of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. A town where option. The world will be watching how far we living legends such as Professors Dele Jegede can go. Therefore my question to you all is HOW and Niyi Osundare come from. A town that has FAR ARE WE PREPARED TO GO? Fortunately produced important personalities like Princess all Ikere elites bought into the philosophy of the Bisi Oguneye a former Minister of the Federal IDF, the octopus platform for our collective voice.

Republic, Professors Olofinboba, Agboola, Amire, Furthermore we have the executive peopled by Agbedana, Olowokudejo, Ayenis one of them a

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KEYNOTE ADDRESS ...continue from Page 16 former Vice Chancellor of a reputable university etc.

A town that produced an Executive governor for the old Ondo State comprising the present Ondo and Ekiti States. A town that has produced three Deputy Governors including the current number two citizen of Ekiti State. A town that produced achievers in Architectures, Engineering, Maritime, Accounting, Medicine, the Military, very senior police officers up to Assistant Inspector General and a Deputy Inspector General. I count myself very fortunate that God in His graciousness lifted me up as the monarch of this great kingdom.

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n my acceptance speech at the presentation of Staff of Office in July 2015, I said that ‘I am conscious of the sacred position of the stool of Ogoga of Ikere and Ikere kingdom’. I believe all of you here are conscious too. The registration of IDF in the USA, this event taking place right now and your individual presence here all bear testimony to the same and it is a confirmation of our collective

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commitment to her cause and readiness to lift her up higher.

We are taught that leadership is service and that leadership is predicated on trust. On the spur of the above I have tried my modest contributions to repair and beautify the source of the kingdom. I thank God for the enablement..

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ith the knowledge of our history and the mistakes consciously or unconsciously made even in our recent past that put our town far below and behind her rightful level and place, it is time now for us to get our hands collectively on deck to reclaim lost ground and even move ahead. Soyinka wrote “The man dies in every man who keeps silent in the face of tyranny”. I say when good men and women become indifferent, complacent or unconcerned, bad men will fill the void. It is my fervent hope therefore that this event will produce the Road Map for Ikere renaissance. In this exercise we must avoid unnecessary sentiments which will not help us. We have to be dispassionate, truthful and with fear of God in charting the course which can take the ship of Ikere to a safe harbor and progress.

n my profession as a mariner, you cannot have two Masters or Captains on one ship and expect progress. Ikere kingdom has been in existence for many years with the monarch of the town and the priests of various deities living in harmony. By my last count there are about eleven (11) priests with their individual idols of serious reckoning in Ikere.

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appeal to you all to prevail on those who are bent on causing disaffection through the falsification of our history for personal aggrandizement to stop and have a rethink.

We cannot afford the balkanization or fragmentation of our common heritage as we may not recover from it. Already we are battling with too many distractions and this will continue to slow us down considerably if not totally disable progress.

We must not lose the opportunity this event offers to speak in one voice for a united progressive Ikere and her people as I believe that in unity of purpose and the fear of God nothing shall be impossible.

I appreciate the courage of the executive of IDF whose publication in the newspapers earlier this year, smothered the fire that was planned to make Ikere worse than the Ife /Modakeke war.

but that you can not unite for the common good of the town as against what made Ikere strong and undefeated in the past. Do you think you can change the minds of these Ikere people? It is as if you people as a community are jinxed that you carelessly allow your progress to elude you every n conclusion, let me alert that there is work time! I hope you know what you are doing” These to be done. We have the census coming up words left me upset. This is the challenge before sometime in the near future, the Area Command us as a people.

Police headquarters office and residence for its Therefore as was written in the Book of Nehemiah commander as work in progress, the proposed chapter 2 Verse 17 “ YOU KNOW THE TROUBLE university and the ambition to think out a way WE ARE IN, JERUSALEM LIES IN RUINS AND ITS to empower the new generation of indigenous GATES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE. LET entrepreneurs that will make Ikere a commercial US REBUILD THE WALL OF JERUSALEM AND capital and a preferred destination for business and END THIS DISGRACE” Let us decide therefore settlement in Ekiti. I hope there will be an interactive from here now to unite and rebuild Ikere so as to section which will afford us the opportunity to put shame those who are working against our rise and before you what we are doing and what we have as believing it cannot be done. vision and rubbing minds together, come up with a workable road map that will usher us to the new nce again I thank the originators of IDF desired era in Ikere. and the authors of this event as well as all

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our sons and daughters for the efforts put Finally, a few months into my entry into the palace, into this, your affection and support. I pray it is the I had an encounter with a man who resides in Ikere beginning of the progressive march of our town. but a non-indigene. His words keep tugging my heart ever since. The man came in and requested LONG LIVE IKERE DEVELOPMENT to have a word with me privately.

FORUM, LONG LIVE IKERE ARIREMAKO The man said “ I admire and praise you for the efforts to bring this town up again. I love Ikere and I have been living in Ikere for over 50 years. You should be careful and watch your back because Ikere as a town has enemies within and without.

What they say about Ikere is that, your people are powerful with many prominent sons and daughters

Ikere a gbe wa o, Ire Ikere a soju gbogbo wa AMIN.

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GOODWILL MESSAGE TO IKERE DEVELOPMENT FORUM ON THE OCCASION OF IDF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN THE US source. May the Good Lord enlarge your coast the more.

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n this present and difficult time, it is most gratifying to see this demonstration of people of goodwill united in noble ideals.

We are gathering to intensify our efforts and contributions to the cause of progress and peace of our homeland.

I congratulate my husband, the Paramount Ruler and Prescribed Authority of Ikere Kingdom HRM Alayeluwa Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado, AgirilalaOgbenuotesoro II, Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom for being the Monarch during whose reign an Ikere International Convention of this magnitude is being hosted. Kabiyesi, Saaki, Alaye, long may you reign on the throne of your fore fathers.

I congratulate the leadership of Asiwaju Wole Olanipekun SAN, OFR and members of the Executives of the Ikere Development Forum both home and abroad for this achievement.

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write to congratulate Ikere Development Forum on her maiden International Convention. I express my profound admiration of her kind gestures to the good people of our prestigious town Ikere Ekiti.

I personally appreciate IDF for showing all Ikere indigenes both home and abroad the importance of paying attention to our

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To all convention participants, a de le ba re oooo, a ri na kore, a koya ibi. We will all return back to our abode safely in Jesus mighty Name. Amen Olori Funmilola Ololade Adejimi-Adu Eyeshorun of Ikere kingdom

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!

The mustard seed of IDF, sowed on the Internet in 2012, and planted in Ikere in 2013 has turned into the Iroko tree of our town, with a leafy branch now rooted in the USA in 2016.

Kete Ukere, l’ulé, l’oko, l’òjà ati l’oke okún, A ku orire o!

Olugbenga Agboola On behalf of: The Olumilua Clan of Agbo’le Oisa, Odo-Oja Quarters, Ikere Ekiti Omo Olu l’òję, àríré eleó rí bí, otosì rin un tó tirè.

Omo elegbeje ùho, Omo am’ùho ijakęsę s’orò, Ùho ijakęsę laa mu kí rara kú aseyi s’amodún, Omo am’iję pòpò gb’elila t’oun t’ùho Omo arin gbàlàjà bi ian ninu, o bi ian ninú, e se lu pa.

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n behalf of the Board of Trustees, I most heartily welcome all sons and daughters of Ikere-Ekiti in Nigeria, the United States, and Canada, to the First Global Conference of Ikere Development Forum, which holds in Houston, Texas.

We honor the presence of His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Agirilala,

Ogbenuotesoro II, the Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, and his Olori, Eyesorun Adejimi Adu. We also welcome to our midst the National President of IDF, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and his wife, Princes Omolara Olanipekun.

Tiwa n’tiwa!

dele jegede

September 2. 2016

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FELICITITATION We felicitate with the prescribed authority and paramount ruler of Ikere Kingdom HRM ADEJIMI ADU ALAGBADO

(Agirilala, Ogbenuotesoro II, Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom)

On the occasion of the maiden edition of IDF International Convention Houston TX USA Kabiyesi, this is another achievement as you bring all Ikere indigines both home and diaspora together to support the on-going transformation of our birth place.

May your reign continue to be peaceful. Long will you reign.

KABIYESI O !!!

OTUNBA Sola Adewumi & OTUN EYESORUN Kemi Adewumi

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IDF - INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION- HOUSTON 16 TX

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felicitates with

The Kabiyesi, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu, Agirilala Ogbenuotesoro, The Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, his wife the Eyesorun and the entire members of IDF on the occasion of this 1st International Convention in Houston, TX USA

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(On behalf of the entire family)

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AOCA

The Accounting Firm of Adedayo Olowuro Wish HRM Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Agirilala Ogbenuotesoro II, God’s blessing of love, peace and Joy. May your reign bring abundance of developments and success to our beloved town - Ikere LONG MAY YOU REIGN in good health and ever expanding wisdom.

Adedayo Olowuro Certified Public Accountant (USA) Chartered Accountant (Nigeria)

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FELICITITATION

I, Dr. Tunde Olujobi on behalf of the Elder Ayo Olujobi family in Odo-oja quarters hereby congratulate Ikere indigenes home and abroad for the successful hosting of our great king, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado-Agirilala Ogbenuotesoro11, and other foremost Ikere leaders and worthy ambassadors including Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN (IDF President & Asiwaju of Ikere Kingdom),

Otunba Sola Adewunmi and others to the first IDF International Convention in Houston Texas,USA. IDF - INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION- HOUSTON TX

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AWARD

& RECORGNITION

IKERE DEVELOPMENT FORUM [IDF] The foremost organization of Ikere Ekiti indigenes worldwide At the 1st INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION Held in HOUSTON, TX. USA Presents the

Distinguished Global Ambassador of Ikere Award To

Professor Niyi Osundare In Appreciation For His personal achievements & recognitions Which immensely contributes to the worldwide positive profile of Ikere Ekiti town.

September 2016

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ABRIDGED PROFILE Professor Niyi Osundare

Professor Niyi Osundare is currently a distinguished Professor of English at the University of Orleans, Lakefront, New Orleans USA. As a world acclaimed poet, this Nigerian literary brand has won virtually all the prizes and awards of global recognition in poetry for which the world holds him in high esteem.

Last December 2014, he was the sole winner of the Nigeria National Order of Merit Award, which is the officially recognized award for excellence in the academic. An award which is publicity appreciated for its non-partisan consideration. Born to humble parents in the then agrarian but highly cultured Ikere-Ekiti in present day Ekiti State of Nigeria on March 12th, 1947, he started his education in the same community in 1953 before venturing out to nearby Ado-Ekiti where he completed his Higher School Certificate education. The star of this latter day academic giant started to shine right from his secondary school when he was appointed the Library Prefect of Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti.

During his 2-year Higher School Education at Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, he edited the school magazine (Agidimo) and worked with an expatriate teacher, Christopher Ward, on a publication of the history of the school: “Not In Name Only”. He has since experienced meteoric rise as he went through his studies at the University of Ibadan with remarkable performance and later joined the institution as a teacher after post-graduate studies in Canada and the USA. The illustrious son of Ikere-Ekiti, who proudly wears his nationality as a medal, while flaunting his patriotism as a Nigerian without apology. He is however more importantly appreciated as a poet of global status whose recognition has taken him all over the world, reading from his many publications which continue to build for him loyalty among students in and out of schools around the world, and respect and admiration among poets everywhere.

Qualifications: B.A. (Ibadan), M.A. (Leeds); PhD (York University, Canada)

Works:

1989 – 1997 – Professor of English, University of Ibadan 1993 – 1997 – Head, department of English, University of

Ibadan 1997 – date – Professor of English, University of New

Orleans, USA. 2014 – Winner, Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA) for

Academic Excellence

Has won both the Association of Nigerian Authors’ and the Commonwealth Prize for Poetry among numerous other awards and recognitions.

Publications:

• Songs from the Marketplace (1983) • Village Voices (1984) • The Eye of the Earth (1986, winner of a Commonwealth Poetry Prize and the poetry prize of the Association of Nigerian Authors) • Moonsongs (1988) • Songs of the Season (1999) • Waiting Laughters (1990, winner of the Noma Award) • Selected Poems (1992) • Midlife (1993) • Thread in the Loom: Essays on African Literature and Culture (2002) • The Word is an Egg (2002) • The State Visit (2002, play) • Pages from the Book of the Sun: New and Selected Poems (2002) • Early Birds (2004) • Two Plays (2005) • The Emerging Perspectives on Niyi Osundare (2003) • Not My Business (2005) • Tender Moments: Love Poems (2006)

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AWARD

& RECORGNITION

IKERE DEVELOPMENT FORUM [IDF] The foremost organization of Ikere Ekiti indigenes worldwide At the 1st INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION Held in HOUSTON, TX. USA Presents

The Distinguished Global Ambassador of Ikere Award To

Professor Emeritus dele jegede In Appreciation For His personal achievements & recognitions Which immensely contributes to the worldwide positive profile of Ikere Ekiti town.

September 2016

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ABRIDGED PROFILE Professor Emeritus dele jegede

Professor Emeritus dele jegede, of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, has over four decades of experience as artist, art historian, painter, cartoonist, art critic, curator, and art administrator. After a first-class honors degree in studio art from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, he obtained his Masters and doctorate degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington, where he studied under Professor Roy Sieber. His professional experience includes several solo and group exhibitions in Nigeria and the U.S and a long list of scholarly publications. He has authored several monographs, essays, and reviews on diverse aspects of African, and African-American art. He began his career at the Daily Times of Nigeria as Art Editor and cartoonist before moving to the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Nigeria, where he rose to become the Director of the Center for Cultural Studies before moving to the U.S. in 1993 with his family. He was Fulbright Scholar, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia (1987-1988); President, Society of Nigerian Artists (1989-1992); President, Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA) (1996-1998). In 1995, he was Senior PostDoctoral Fellow at the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.

of life. Where did Ayo go? What unifies this series is the inexhaustiveness of possibilities and the spectacular result that often emerges from the manipulation and timing of fluids on canvas. Of course, to be enjoyed also is the challenges that it poses because of its one-of-a-kind nature.

Thoughts on my work

As an art historian, my work attempts to disrupt the canonical imbalance in the historicization of texts by privileging the African and African-¬American perspective. As a painter, I employ a variety of media to inveigh against economic constructs that perpetuate the subaltern condition of the underclass. As a cartoonist, I drench acerbic issues in palatable coats for public consumption, and often at the expense of the powerful. As a teacher, I relished motivating my students to be respectful of the essence of divergency even as they sought to contribute to knowledge. My work attempts to rupture the boundaries that are installed in the way that we construct and affirm self-hood.

His academic administrative positions include Professor and Chair of Department at Indiana State University, Terre Haute (IN), and Miami University, Oxford, (OH). He is recipient of the Distinguished Africanist Award of the University of Texas at Austin.

Professor jegede is actively engaged in full-time art-making. His recent exhibition—Transitions—at Terra Kulture in Lagos (July 14th-23rd, 2016) was a tremendous success.

About My Work

The Celestial Aesthetic Series deals with my recent interest in cosmic vastness, its deep, enchanting interminability, and celestial majesty. I was drawn to this reality following the sudden death of our dearly beloved son, Ayodele Jegede at the prime

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IKERE AT A GLANCE

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SPONSORS LIST

2016 IDF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION Name Sponsorship Level 1. Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN; OFR Diamond 2. Mr. Oye Alonge JD Platinum+ 3. Prof. dele jegede PhD Platinum 4. Mr. Gbenga Agboola Platinum 5. Pastor Boluwaji Alabi Platinum 6. Anonymous Platinum 7. Otunba Sola Adewunmi Gold 8. Mrs. Abimbola Olanipekun Silver+ 9. Mr. Folusho Alaba ilver+ 10. Mr. Kayode Obasoyin Silver 11. Mr. Adedayo Olowuro Silver 12. Dr. Michael Akinola PharmD Silver 13. Mrs. Shola Benson Contribution 14. Mr. Oluwole Kayode Afolabi Contribution 15. Mr. Abayomi Asana Contribution 16. Mr. Peter Ayeni Contribution 17. Mr. Tope Ogunlade Contribution 18. Mr. Ibukun Anthony Aruleba Contribution 19. Mrs. Monisola Jongbo Ogunmefun Contribution 20. Mr. Muyiwa Akinola Contribution 21. Mr. Olukayode IfeOluwa Alabi Contribution 22. Mr. Lawrence Faleyimu Contribution 23. Mr. Femi Adeyina Contribution 24. Dr. Tunde Olujobi MD Contribution

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